Monmouth September 2025

Monmouth SEPTEMBER 2025 | $6.95 | MONMOUTHMAG.COM | VOLUME 23 ISSUE 9

VOLUME 23 ISSUE 9 | SEPT 2025

HEALTH & LIFE | FOOD & FASHION | HOME & HAPPENINGS

The Best of

2025

THE READERS’ CHOICE ISSUE

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YOUR FAVES IN 70+ CATEGORIES

BEST MEXICAN

BRUNCH & BOWLING MALLS & MASSAGES SPAS & SEAFOOD AND MUCH MORE!

AT JUANITO’S IN RED BANK

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Contents SEPT 2025

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Departments Monmouth Buzz 8 Our guide to new ideas, tips, trends and things we love in the county.

Style Watch 12 Stay in the loop with these knotty, chic options.

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Friends & Neighbors 14

After a historic year playing college baseball, first baseman Andrew Fischer of Manasquan was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers.

He’s a Major Leaguer!

Features Age With Grace (And Vitality!) 16 Robust, fulfilling senior years are waiting for most of us—if we do our part. A Monmouth doctor offers tips on how to get there.

Milestones 40 For 20 years, the Urban Coast Institute at Monmouth University has drawn on academic research to protect and improve the coast and its communities.

Readers’ Choice 19 We counted the votes, and you’ve determined who’s cream of the crop. Enjoy the winners in more than 70 categories—from sushi and spas to gyms and jewelry stores.

Escapes 44

The Curtain’s Calling 32

Let your Garden State pride be your guide, and see what places you can visit.

Who needs Broadway? This fall, the spotlight shines on performers in Monmouth County.

Sunflower Power 34 One motif promises to give your harvest-time party a blend of virtues that’s rare these days: sophistication and bright good cheer.

Tastes 46 Fall’s favorite fruit takes center stage with these seasonal dishes.

Restaurant Review 88 Palmetto Southern Kitchen brings refined Lowcountry flavor to the Asbury Park boardwalk.

Gatherings 94 Monmouth residents always show up to support their neighbors.

A Monmouth Moment 96 Sunflowers and patriotic pride create the perfect shot in Manalapan.

IN EVERY ISSUE 4 13 84 90

Editor’s Note Health News Where to Eat Be There

ON THE COVER Juanito’s, Red Bank, 2025 Readers’ Choice winner, Best Mexican Restaurant.

Photo courtesy of Juanito’s.

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EDITOR’S NOTE

Your Votes Are Now In This is a busy time of year, no doubt about it. As we all prepare to bid farewell to summer and send the kids back to the classroom, it’s also time for us here at Achieving the Ideal End for Your Best New Beginning MONMOUTH to present our annual Readers’ Choice issue. Starting on page 19, you’ll find a list of the businesses—from bagel shops to bicycle-repair places, from florists to fitness centers—that you, the readers, voted as tops in our county. We invite you to browse those pages to see old favorites get their due— Megan S. Murray, Esq. and find out about new places you ought to try.

The Family Law Offices of Megan S. Murray Inevitably there’s some great spot that’s been 960 Holmdel Road, Building II, Holmdel, New Jersey 07733 overlooked, so be sure to vote for it when next 732-847-9896 | MurrayFamilyLaw.com year’s balloting rolls around.

Check out, too, our preview of the upcoming season at our local theaters on page 32, or flip to our Tastes (page 46) and Bar Tab (page 50) sections for applebased dishes and drinks. If you love to pick your own apples, pumpkins and flowers MeganMurray_1-4p_0225_v2.indd 1 1/14/25 8:41 AM this time of year, the crops at the farms on page 11 are ripe for the picking. And SPECIAL PROMOTION speaking of flowers, find out how to make one of fall’s most beautiful blooms the star of your next outdoor get-together (page 34).

Neither Readers’ Choice nor the autumnal theme entirely defines this issue, of Two Rivers Counseling, LLC course—our interests are too broad for that. Consider some questions, for example.

732.788.6146 | Bonnieblacklcsw@gmail.com How can you give your home a coastal vibe without it looking like a kitschy beach house? (Follow tips from three interior designers—page 11.) How much are you How long have you concerned about aging with grace and vitality? (You can have fulfilling senior years if you do your part—page 16.) been practicing?

Then there is the story of Manasquan’s Andrew Fischer, who’s living out his I have been working in mental health childhood dream right before our eyes. In this month’s Friends & Neighbors on page for over 16 years, solely operating my 14, we chat with the 21-year-old baseball player who this past summer was selected private practice since 2020. in the first round of the Major League Baseball draft. He joins the Milwaukee Brewers organization as he continues his quest of making it to the “bigs.” We’ll be What types of following his professional career and rooting for him every step of the way. procedures do you In short, we’re confident that you’ll find many things of interest in this issue of perform regularly?

MONMOUTH. Yes, it’s a busy time, but stealing a few minutes to read is permisI provide individual counseling, sible if it makes you wiser. (Or if it’s a pleasure—pleasure’s OK too.) clinical supervision, and mental So enjoy! health consultation services.

Experience, Expertise, Excellence: A boutique firm that provides engaged, individual attention to its clients’ family law matters.

BONNIE BLACK, MA, MSW, LCSW

What characteristics make you and your practice unique?

I have spent my career providing various services with every attempt to meet each individual on their unique journey towards wellness. My approach focuses on assisting those seeking clarity, encouraging personal growth, and providing empathetic, non judgmental support towards navigating life’s path.

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Rita Guarna Editor in Chief rita.guarna@wainscotmedia.com

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ADVERTISEMENT

The Great Wealth Transfer W

ELCOME to the latest edition of Fiscal Fitness! It’s another beautiful day at the Jersey Shore as we head into the final weeks of summer. As I walked on the beach this morning, I was thinking about my mother who passed away almost twenty years ago.

My, how times have changed, particularly for women. I decided to focus on the ladies in the audience and share some interesting statistics.

Did you know that women now control 32% of global wealth?1 That figure is continuing to grow, and research suggests that figure could reach $30 trillion in financial power within the next five years. Now that is impressive!

Women who accumulate significant wealth—whether through entrepreneurship, professional success, inheritance or divorce settlements often face financial concerns that go well beyond traditional investment advice.

Yet women are still underserved.

EMPOWERMENT THROUGH FINANCIAL EDUCATION Despite growing wealth, studies show that many affluent women feel underserved or underestimated by the financial services industry. This highlights the importance of financial education and empowerment. Financial independence is not just about assets, but about having the confidence to make informed decisions for yourself and your family’s wealth. Did you know that only 15-20% of financial advisors are women?

LONGEVITY AND LIFESTYLE PLANNING Women are living longer than our male counterparts by an average of 7 years, which means your wealth must stretch over a longer retirement period. This necessitates detailed planning around rising healthcare costs, the possibility of long-term care, all while maintaining a desired lifestyle without depleting assets prematurely. Work closely with your advisors to model various “what if” scenarios to help develop sustainable withdrawal strategies.

Footnotes: 1 UBS 2024

NAVIGATING COMPLEXITY AFTER DIVORCE OR WIDOWHOOD Many high-net worth women acquire or take full control of their wealth after a major life transition, such as divorce or the death of a spouse. These events often bring financial complexity, including reassessing asset ownership, re-evaluating estate plans, and adjusting tax strategies. Let us not forget the emotional impact and how it can cloud our decision making. In such cases, collaborating with a trusted team of advisors including a financial planner, tax expert, and estate attorney is critical to creating clarity and control.

SUCCESSION AND LEGACY PLANNING Estate planning is essential not only to preserve wealth but also to ensure it is distributed according to one’s values. For women with children, grandchildren, or charitable interests, structuring a thoughtful legacy often involves the use of trusts and intergenerational wealth transfer strategies.

A comprehensive estate plan should include a clear path for the distribution of wealth. If it has been a few years since you reviewed your estate documents, now is the time.

FINAL THOUGHTS Financial security is not just about numbers— it is about peace of mind, autonomy, and the ability to live life on your own terms.

With smart, intentional planning, women can protect their legacy, support the people and causes they care about, and enjoy the freedom they have worked hard to earn.

Together we can make it happen…

Debra Fournier CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® Certified Divorce Financial Analyst™

About THE AUTHOR DEBRA FOURNIER, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst™, has been providing comprehensive wealth management services to families and independent women for over 30 years.

Recognized as an experienced and knowledgeable professional in the areas of financial transitions and divorce financial planning, her guidance is often sought where there are complicated financial issues, significant assets or an imbalance in financial knowledge between divorcing couples.

Debra has been quoted in Kiplinger’s Personal Finance Magazine and AOL Daily Finance, appeared numerous times on Good Day New York and has been featured in the Asbury Park Press section Getting Ahead.

Looking for a more personalized approach to your finances? We invite you to call us at 732-800-8400 or email debra.fournier@lpl.com and discover how we can help you pursue your financial goals.

2006 Highway 71, Suite 1 Spring Lake, NJ 07762 732-800-8400 | 732-800-0622 fax seaviewwealth.com

Securities offered through LPL Financial, a Registered Investment Advisor. Member FINRA/SIPC Content in this material is for general information only and not intended to provide specific tax advice or recommendations for any individual. The economic forecasts set forth in this material may not develop as predicted and there can be no guarantee that strategies promoted will be successful.

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Monmouth Editor in Chief RITA GUARNA

Group Publisher THOMAS FLANNERY

Creative Director STEPHEN M. VITARBO

Publisher JODI BRUKER

Senior Associate Editor DARIUS AMOS

Director, Special Programs LAURA A. DOWDEN

Assistant Editor KIRSTEN MEEHAN

MARKETING, DIGITAL & OPERATIONS

Contributing Editor PAUL RANCE JR.

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SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES To inquire about a subscription, to change an address or to purchase a back issue or a reprint of an article, please write to Monmouth, Circulation Department, One Maynard Dr., Park Ridge, NJ 07656; telephone 201.573.5541; email fern.meshulam@ wainscotmedia.com.

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Monmouth Buzz

OUR GUIDE TO NEW IDEAS, TIPS, TRENDS AND THINGS WE LOVE IN OUR COUNTY.

HONOR THY NEIGHBOR

September 11 is a day of remembrance, but also a day to come together and give back to our community.

The National Day of Service encourages us to turn a moment of reflection into meaningful action through volunteerism. Whether it’s helping at a local food pantry, supporting first responders or joining a community cleanup, there are many ways to make a positive impact right here in Monmouth County. Here are some ideas: • Jersey Shore Dream Center in Neptune has a mobile food pantry that needs volunteers from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sept. 11 (and other times throughout the year) to deliver nonperishable food and snacks to different stops in the county. Info: jerseyshoredreamcenter.org • Jersey Shore Running Club, based in Shrewsbury, seeks volunteers for its Jersey Shore 9-11 Memorial Run at 6 p.m. in Belmar as well as other races throughout the year. Volunteers help at water stations or the finish line or even play instruments to support runners and walkers. Info: jsrc.org

• Monmouth County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MSPCA) in Eatontown seeks adult and junior volunteers to help in every area of the shelter, from working with animals to helping out behind the scenes in the clinic and administration offices.

Info: monmouthcountyspca.org • Monmouth County Habitat for Humanity needs volunteers to help at its ReStore shops in Asbury Park and Freehold.

People can also sign up to assist at a Habitat build site. Info: monmouthhabitat.org

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• Monmouth County Parks System has an ongoing need for assistance at many of its parks.

Volunteers can sign up for duties that include gardening and pruning, beach sweeps, greeting visitors and trail maintenance.

Info: monmouth countyparks.com

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WHAT’S DOING IN THE PARKS

The Monmouth County Park System comprises 18,260 acres, and while the parks are mostly peaceful green sanctuaries, there’s also a lot going on there. Check out these September happenings (for more info, see monmouthcountyparks.com): • Sept. 13. Test your accuracy during Open Shoot Archery at the Thompson Park Activity Barn in Lincroft. Not an instructional program, this is for intermediate-level archers and above. All equipment is provided. This event starts at 10 a.m.; there’s a $10 entry fee.

• Sept. 16. Join a Casual Birder Walk at Turkey Swamp Park in Freehold and let a park naturalist guide you to some of the best wildlife Monmouth has to offer. A limited number of binoculars will be available to borrow if needed. This free program starts at 9 a.m.

• Sept. 21. At Historic Longstreet Farm in Holmdel, see a “Preserving the Harvest” demonstration and learn about 19thcentury techniques for food preservation, such as salting, pickling and drying. Free; begins at 11 a.m.

• Sept. 26. Grab a partner and swing ’em ’round at the Thompson Park Activity Barn’s Open House Square Dance with the dancing group the Middletown Ramblers. Stop by at 7 p.m.; this event is free.

• Sept. 27. Enjoy an evening of storytelling at Thompson Park, where the park system hosts an “Everyone Has a Story” night. This free event gathers a cast of different characters from the region who share stories through a variety of topical prompts. Light refreshments provided; stories start at 6 p.m.

WHERE THE SUNFLOWERS SHINE

While the farms in “You Pick!” on page 11 have fruit and gourds that are ripe for the picking, they’re also destinations for spectacular sunflowers.

These tall, bold, unmistakably cheerful blooms are at their peak, and you can clip some to take home (check individual pricing). Where else can you find these beautiful blooms?

• Holland Ridge Farms (108 Rues Rd., Cream Ridge, 609.448.7483; hollandridgefarms. com) spotlights sunflowers at its fall festival, Sept. 12–Oct.13.

Besides the gorgeous blooms, visitors can enjoy food trucks, a feeding zoo, horse and carriage rides and hayrides.

• Deep Cut Gardens (152 Red Hill Rd., Middletown, 732.842.4000; monmouthcountyparks.com) is home to hundreds of flower varieties, and sunflowers this time of year help turn the center into a field of gold.

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PUPPY LOVE

Dog: Mo, 8-year-old Yorkshire terrier-poodle Owner: Morissa Schwartz of Morganville This pup has the soul of an artist. Officially, Mo is named after his “mom,” Morissa— though, according to her, “sometimes it’s short for Mozart, Monet or ‘more, please,’ depending on the snack situation.” (Their hometown is one more “Mo.”) Mo joined the family eight years ago and has been charming everyone he meets ever since. As he’s part poodle, he also is technically part French, and he’s been known to wear a beret. Mo also loves long walks to see the neighborhood cows, his stuffed animals (which he treats with great care) and watching his special dog shows.

(Yes, he has his own Netflix account.) When he’s not taking a walk or carefully curating his plushie collection, you might catch him posing as if he’s about to open a solo exhibit at the Louvre—and he certainly is photogenic!

Want to see your pet in an upcoming issue of MONMOUTH? Email a photo and a brief description to Editor in Chief Rita Guarna at rita.guarna@wainscotmedia.com.

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GROW THAT GARDEN

The leaves will start to change soon, but your garden will be blooming for a few more weeks, as will your window boxes and container plants. For a garden as vibrant as the fall foliage, floral and garden specialist Nancy Malone of Shore River Gardens in Manasquan offers advice: • Perennials. Take good care of these flowers and, as their name promises, they’ll grow back again every year. Says Malone: “Fall-blooming perennials provide great color for your garden, and nectar for pollinators! Many also bloom right up until frost.

Sedum, also called ‘Autumn Joy,’ Montauk daisies, Japanese anemones, gaillardia, coneflowers, dahlias, coreopsis and goldenrod are great choices.”

• Annuals. These flowers only grow for one season. “For gardens and porch containers, we love the many varieties of celosia, black-eyed Susans, flowering cabbage and kale and ornamental peppers,” says Malone. “Cabbage and peppers are also great for window boxes, along with colorful fall pansies. You can even tuck in mini-pumpkins and gourds for fun. Cascading plants like creeping Jenny and black sweet potato vine are a great complement to fall plantings.

• To complement the trees. “For plants that complement fall colors, our favorite is purple baron millet,” says Malone. “The almost-black leaves and blooms are a great contrast. We also love purple fountain grass for texture and movement.”

She adds a caution: “One plant to avoid in your fall garden is tropical milkweed. This non-native annual has striking red and yellow flowers and may seem like a great choice. But it’s actually harmful to monarch butterflies! Choose New Jersey native milkweed only.”

SOAK UP SEPTEMBER This month’s calendar is packed with festivals, fairs and can’t-miss community events—perfect for making the most of these golden, late-summer and early-fall days.

Be sure to check out these happenings (and see the “Be There” calendar on page 90 for other events):

AT THE MALL THIS FALL

Monmouth’s malls are buzzing with energy—just in time for late-summer retail therapy and back-to-school season. From new store openings to stylish upgrades, there’s plenty to explore and browse this season. Here are a few highlights: • Freehold Raceway Mall: If you haven’t been here in a while, you’ll be pleasantly surprised at the recent additions. J.Crew Factory and Francesca’s have both moved in, giving fashionistas more options. Meanwhile, the new Dave & Busters and Freehold Athletic Club are now anchoring the wing closest to Route 33. And we’re eagerly awaiting the arrivals of Kura Sushi Bar and Läderach Chocolatier, both due later this year.

• Monmouth Mall: The transformation of the indoor Eatontown shopping destination into the outdoor Monmouth Square continues. When construction on the new, open-air shopping center is completed in 2028, the facility will have a mix of stores and restaurants (including Whole Foods and eateries like Prince Street Pizza, Cava and Van Leeuwen Ice Cream), luxury apartments and medical offices. But don’t wait for that grand opening: Stores including Macy’s, Boscov’s and Barnes & Noble as well as the eateries and theaters remain open during construction.

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• Sept. 13–14: Sea.Hear.Now Festival, Asbury Park, seahearnowfestival.com • Sept. 20, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Wind & Sea Festival, Bayshore Waterfront Park, Port Monmouth, monmouthcountyparks.com • Sept. 20, noon to 7 p.m.: Latino Festival of Monmouth County, Hall of Records, Freehold, downtownfreehold.com • Sept. 20, 3 to 9 p.m.: Howell Day & Green Fair, Soldier Memorial Park, Howell, twp.howell.nj.us • Sept. 27–28, noon to 5 p.m.: Asbury Park Fall Bazaar, Grand Arcade at Convention Hall, Asbury Park, asburyparkbazaar.com

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YOU PICK!

What activity welcomes fall more than going apple picking or choosing a pumpkin for your front step or future jack-o-lantern?

Family-friendly and nostalgic, heading to a local “u-pick” farm is the perfect weekend day trip.

And Monmouth offers a wealth of options:

CULINARY CORNER

Kebab craving?

After a season of burgers and dogs, how about a different variety of grilled meats?

Turquaz Mediterranean Restaurant, which opened this summer in Bradley Beach, offers Greek-inspired dishes such as grilled lamb chops, kebabs and wraps.

This menu is a great way to welcome fall.

• Turquaz Mediterranean Restaurant, 600 Main St., Bradley Beach, 609.225.9551; restauranturquaz.com Mediterranean and more For a twist on traditional Mediterranean cuisine, there’s the new Oakhurst eatery Leo’s. It specializes in doner kebab-style skewers (they have Turkish origins), which are stacked meats that may include lamb, chicken, barbecued brisket or shaved steak. But there’s more variety: You’ll also find crisp cauliflower, burgers and even Southwesten taquitos!

• Leo’s, 214 Roosevelt Ave., Suite 3, Oakhurst, 732.202.5044; leosnj.com Right in your backyard The new restaurant at the Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel, Berkeley Backyard, is making waves—and for delicious reasons.

The menu keeps summer vibes going all year long, with five types of lobster rolls, mouthwatering sandwiches and sharable plates (raw oysters, anyone?) for your whole crew. Remember to save room for dessert, especially the grilled cinnamon pineapple with ice cream.

• Berkeley Backyard, 1401 Ocean Ave., Asbury Park, 732.776.6700; berkelyhotelnj.com

• Battleview Orchards, Freehold. Apple and pumpkin picking are the stars of the show here, but check the website and call ahead—visit early enough in September and you may catch the end of peach-picking season as well.

—91 Wemrock Rd., Freehold, 732.462.0756; battlevieworchards.com

end; this farm offers nearly two dozen varieties. Pick too many?

Check out the website for free recipes you can make with the fruit you pick.

—321 County Rd. 537, Colts Neck, 732.542.5404; eastmontorchards.com

• Bullock Farm, Cream Ridge.

Besides a seasonal hayride and corn maze, you can wander the fields and pick your own pumpkins at this 165-year-old family farm.

—83 Emleys Hill Rd., Cream Ridge, 609.758.8726; bullockfarms.com

• Happy Day Farm, Manalapan. There’s a wealth of seasonal pleasures here, and every autumn weekend offers a festival-like atmosphere. Pick your own pumpkins when you stop by (and grab a few sunflowers, if you’re early enough in the season).

—106 Iron Ore Rd., Manalapan, 732.977.3607; happydayfarmnj.com

• Eastmont Orchards, Colts Neck. Pick your own apples here from September till the season’s

BE COASTAL, BUT BE COOL

For most folks the “coastal” style of design is synonymous with summertime— but for us Monmouthites the beach is a year-round pleasure. How do you prevent your home by the beach from looking like a kitschy “beach house” and keep that coastal vibe working all year long? Local designers offer ideas: “Avoid anything that looks like it came from a souvenir shop. You don’t need anchors or ‘Beach House’ signs to feel coastal—in fact, they can make the space seem more like a Hobby Lobby than a home. True coastal style is subtle. Add in layered neutrals, hand-thrown ceramics and greenery that appears as if could have blown in off the dunes. Coastal plants, wild grasses, even a really sculptural driftwood piece. You want it to feel effortless and slightly undone.”

—Kate DePierro, Kate Interiors, Freehold

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“If you’re aiming for a coastal vibe, it’s all about capturing a relaxed, airy feel without falling into a kitschy theme. Skip the seashells and anchors; focus instead on soft, natural tones.

Think of the colors you see at the beach and mimic them: use the same tones as sand, sea glass and driftwood. Materials like rattan, light-colored wood and breezy fabrics help create a sophisticated space.”

—Nicole Rice, Coastal Decor & Interior Design, Monmouth Beach

“To keep the look elevated, I lean toward clean lines and neutral tones, and layering in texture with wood, stone or linen. The key is restraint.

Focus on muted blues. Adding organic elements such as oversized planters—or simple lanterns—brings that breezy, serene feel without going over the top.”

—Remya Warrior, Kitchen Designers NJ, Holmdel

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Open Stitch Sweater Banana Republic, Tinton Falls, 732.493.5148

STYLE WATCH Scallop-Trim SweaterDress in Stripe J.Crew, Shrewsbury, 732.212.9430

Madeline Linen & Organic-Cotton Cardigan garnethill.com

Annhoo Knitted Dress Walmart, multiple locations

Know Your Knits Stay in the loop with these knotty, chic options.

Zimmermann Tallow Crochet Midi Skirt zimmermann.com

Seasoft Mid Rise Straight Pant Athleta, Sea Girt, 848.420.5355

The Sak Women’s Lucia Crochet Medium Crossbody Bag Macy’s, Eatontown, 732.542.1212 MONMOUTHMAG.COM

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HEALTH NEWS 1 IN 7 ADULT SMOKERS HAVE DIFFICULTIES

MOM’S OBESITY AFFECTS BABIES

Around 1 in 7 U.S. adults who smoke may have some degree of disability, suggests the first study of its kind. And the prevalence of disability and/or some degree of functional difficulty is twice as high among those who continue to puff away as it is among those who have never smoked. The figures suggest that 40 percent of the estimated 25 million adults who currently smoke experience some level of functional difficulty in six core areas: vision, hearing, walking or climbing steps, communication, cognition and self-care.

—Tobacco Control

Children born to mothers who are obese with a body mass index of 35 or higher are at heightened risk of being admitted to the hospital for an infection, finds a long-term study. The findings highlight the importance of maintaining a healthy body weight before and after the pregnancy.

—BMJ Medicine

LOW-CAL DIET LINKED TO DEPRESSION

Following a low-calorie diet is linked to a heightened risk of depressive symptoms, according to recently published research. Men and those who are overweight may be especially vulnerable to the effects of restrictive eating, the findings suggest. A healthy diet rich in minimally processed foods, fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, lean proteins and fish is generally associated with a lower risk of depression, while an unhealthy diet, dominated by ultra-processed foods, refined carbs, saturated fats, processed meats and sweets, is generally associated with a heightened risk, explain the researchers.

—BMJ Nutrition Prevention & Health

FASTING SAME AS TRADITIONAL DIETS

Intermittent fasting diets appear to have similar benefits to traditional calorie-restricted diets for weight loss, according to an analysis of data. And alternate-day fasting demonstrates greater benefits compared with both calorie restriction and other intermittent fasting approaches, but researchers say longer trials are needed.

—The BMJ

SMOKING POT LINKED TO HEART DISEASE

Cannabis use is linked to a doubling of the risk of dying from cardiovascular disease, with significantly heightened risks of having a stroke or acute coronary syndrome—sudden reduced or blocked blood flow to the heart— finds a pooled analysis of real-world data.

—Heart

DEMENTIA DECLINES IN U.S.

BEWARE TODDLERS SWALLOWING MAGNETS

Thousands of young children worldwide are still swallowing magnets despite an increase in regulations. The swallowing of small high-powered magnets is a significant issue worldwide, especially among children under the age of 4, because they are commonly found in household items, such as toys, remote controls and small household appliances.

—Injury Prevention

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New cases of dementia in the United States declined from 2015 to 2021. However, the number of people living with the condition continued to rise likely due to the population aging, with nearly 2.9 million traditional Medicare beneficiaries— around 12 percent—living with a dementia diagnosis in 2021.

—The BMJ —Compiled by Paul Rance Jr.

SEPTEMBER 2025

8/18/25 2:55 PM

FRIENDS & NEIGHBORS

FirstRound Pick

Photo courtesy of the University of Tennessee

After a historic year playing college baseball, first baseman Andrew Fischer of Manasquan was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers.

He’s a Major Leaguer!

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SEPTEMBER 2025

8/20/25 10:33 AM

How’s this for a dream come true? On July 13, 21-year-old first baseman Andrew Fischer of Manasquan was selected 20th overall in the 2025 Major League Baseball draft by the Milwaukee Brewers. That first-round selection followed a historic year playing with the University of Tennessee Volunteers. Fischer reached base in every game of the 2025 season, a nearly unprecedented streak, besides tying the university’s single-season record for walks, set in 2005. Before that, he played one season at Duke University and one at the University of Mississippi.

Monmouth, though, is home. Fischer attended Wall High School and fondly recalls playing with the local 9ers Baseball, where he made lifelong friends. He lives with his parents and younger sister, and Manasquan Beach is one of his favorite places.

What inspired you to start playing?

I used to play catch with both my grandfathers when they babysat me. With my dad too, of course. From the time I was two, I was always carrying a Wiffle ball bat with me.

Favorite pro team?

I’m a diehard Yankees fan. From 2008–2017, I don’t think I missed watching a single Yankees game—if I wasn’t watching it on TV, I was there in person.

A favorite player?

It’s easy to say Derek Jeter. But there’re tons of others—Todd Frazier, he’s a local guy [from Point Pleasant]. This is a weird one, but Frankie Edgar too—he’s a UFC fighter, also a Jersey guy [from Toms River]. When you’re a kid, seeing local athletes “make it,” you realize they’re just regular people like you. It’s really motivating.

What was it like to hear your named called in the draft?

It was emotional. Like, I knew it was going to happen, but I didn’t know when, how or by what team. I had an idea that I would be a first-day pick, but no idea I would be a first-round pick. When you’re playing in college, against all these high-level guys, people will point someone out and say, “Oh, yeah, he’s a first-rounder.” Well, not everyone can be one. So there was tension leading up to it, and a massive release when it happened.

You didn’t know you were going to the Brewers?

I knew maybe four or five picks beforehand. But even then, the deal isn’t really done and official until they call your name. I think our TV was a little delayed— about 15 seconds before it happened, my phone started going crazy in my pocket. And then it happened, and everyone went crazy all around me. It was like all my hard work had paid off.

A memory of draft day?

My parents threw a party, and I was blown away by how many people were there. My old T-ball coach, whom I hadn’t seen in years, my middle-school coach, all my high school and travel coaches, all these people I grew up with. It was a really cool “back to where it started” moment.

How did you manage the pressure of your on-base streak this season?

I didn’t feel too much pressure, because it was really just me playing the game. My grandpa always tells me that baseball is a game of firsts. The best way to win is to score the first run, get the first base, throw the first strike. I don’t really focus on my own

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stats. Suddenly it was game 46, and a fan in the stands was yelling at me to keep the streak alive. I thought, “What streak?” And then it kind of clicked and I realized what he meant. We were going into the ninth inning, and I had two strikeouts and two groundouts. I had one more at-bat and, sure enough, I was able to keep it going.

A cool moment since being drafted?

A few Green Bay Packers players texted me that they were excited to have me in Milwaukee. That was awesome.

Something you’re looking forward to with the Brewers?

I’m excited to learn more about their development program. They’re a smaller-market team, and they really invest in their guys.

A pitcher you’d like to face?

C. C. Sabathia. He just got elected to the Hall of Fame. Lefty. Not supposed to be an easy at bat, but I think it would be fun.

What does success look like to you?

Multiple World Series.

Goals for your first year as a pro?

Meet as many guys as possible, learn as much as I can, compete and stay healthy.

Anything else?

I don’t care how crazy it sounds or how basic it is, you have to follow your dreams. I’ve seen kids in this game give up too early. My dad talks about it all the time—if you really, really want it, you can always find a way.

—Kirsten Meehan

SEPTEMBER 2025

8/20/25 10:33 AM

Age With Grace (And Vitality!)

ROBUST, FULFILLING SENIOR YEARS ARE WAITING FOR MOST OF US—IF WE DO OUR PART. A MONMOUTH DOCTOR OFFERS TIPS ON HOW TO GET THERE.

Priya Angi, M.D., geriatrician and internal medicine specialist, Monmouth Medical Center

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SEPTEMBER 2025

8/19/25 3:48 PM

Life is finite—we can’t change that. But there is no reason why the final decades of a life can’t be among the best. Age, after all, brings a wealth of advantages: Experience and the wisdom and confidence that come with time are major assets. Gone are the days when retirement meant taking to the rocking chair and watching the world go by. With life expectancy in the U.S. rising again after taking a dip in 2022, your “golden” years can be fulfilling and sometimes actually fun—if you take proper care of yourself.

Says Priya Angi, M.D., a geriatrician and internal medicine specialist affiliated with Monmouth Medical Center and practicing in Long Branch: “The goal of healthy aging is to ensure that a person can be independent and perform the activities of daily living.” It’s not only about living longer, but increasing the quality of your years as well.

Many “good sense” practices go into this, Dr. Angi explains. Besides a healthy, balanced diet, “regular health checkups and screenings, daily exercise and making sure your blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol are all under control are very important,” she says. “Also important is staying up-to-date with vaccines—flu, Covid and shingles, for example.” But healthy aging goes beyond that. “There are cognitive and mental health aspects to be aware of as well,” says the doctor.

Here are some ways to age gracefully: GIVE YOURSELF A HAND Considering all the ways you use your hands and fingers, it’s logical that keeping them in top condition is a priority. “A loss of fine motor skills is very common,” says Dr. Angi.

In particular, grip strength can decrease as we get older. Grip strength allows you to open jars and prescription bottles, yes, but is also important for catching yourself on something when you fall—and pulling yourself back up to your feet if you do. “Occupational therapy can be very helpful for these fine-motor struggles,” says the doctor. “There are even

people who will come to a patient’s home to offer that service.” A common exercise for maintaining both grip strength and hand flexibility is squeezing a stress ball, which can be done while watching TV. “Some people also develop a tremor in their hands as they get older,” Dr. Angi adds. “We call it an ‘essential tremor,’ and we don’t know why it happens. It usually only causes a mild shaking.” If you experience a tremor, a doctor should rule out more serious issues such as Parkinson’s disease, but most often these essential tremors don’t affect quality of life.

HEAR YOURSELF OUT The doctor cites hearing loss as a major part of the aging process. “It’s sometimes mistaken for cognitive decline. However, it’s not an issue of not understanding but of not hearing.” Still, if hearing loss goes unaddressed it can promote cognitive difficulties. “If you aren’t hearing anything, your brain can’t register input and do the work it needs to do,” says the doctor. Agerelated hearing loss, also called presbycusis, is very common—according to Johns Hopkins Medicine, one in three adults between ages 65 and 74 experiences it. There are steps you can take to protect your hearing. (“Avoiding loud noise is a huge thing,” reports Dr. Angi, so reach for ear plugs if your work or play takes you to loud spaces and don’t blast music through earbuds.) “But there’s no surefire way to prevent hearing loss.” Still, you also shouldn’t just accept it. “Get your hearing tested early, the very first time you think, ‘Oh, I think that sound was muffled,’” Dr. Angi says. “And then keep up with testing. When the time comes for hearing aids, get them.

I know some people don’t like the idea of wearing hearing aids, but there are very small, discreet options now.” Some modern hearing aids even offer a Bluetooth connection.

KEEP YOUR MIND SHARP We all know the benefits of keeping physically

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active. (Often, with aging, it becomes “use it or lose it.”) But keeping mentally active can be just as vital. “Cognitive decline is important to pay attention to,” says the doctor. “Many times, both the patient and his or her family brush it off. They say, ‘Oh, it’s just a senior moment, it’s OK.’ But it could be much more than just a senior moment. It could be the start of dementia. If someone has been able to shop, balance the checkbook and drive as they always have, and that very suddenly changes, that’s a red flag. Get an evaluation done.” She stresses: “There are now effective medications that can slow cognitive decline, though they can’t reverse the process.” Outside of medicine, don’t underestimate the power of activities that support memory and keep the mind active.

“Interacting with peers, playing bingo or even talking to a therapist can help prevent cognitive problems,” she says.

STAY CONNECTED “I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to connect with others,” says the doctor.

“You share information and stimulate your brain. Not only are isolated seniors at a higher risk for cognitive problems, they are also at a higher risk for anxiety and depression.” According to the National Institute on Aging, loneliness can even increase the danger of high blood pressure and heart disease. “Don’t sit at home all day, watching TV and not talking to anyone,” Dr. Angi urges. “Go to day programs.”

Often offered through community or senior centers, these programs will also often help you keep up with the active lifestyle and exercise needed to keep your body in good condition.

Finally, Dr. Angi notes that there are also solutions if you’re already experiencing symptoms of anxiety and/or depression.

“There is medication,” she says. “There’s therapy. Most of the time, we can get it under control.”

SEPTEMBER 2025

8/19/25 3:48 PM

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READERS’ CHOICE 2025

WE COUNTED THE VOTES, AND YOU’VE DETERMINED WHO’S CREAM OF THE CROP. ENJOY THE WINNERS IN MORE THAN 70 CATEGORIES— FROM SUSHI AND SPAS TO GYMS AND JEWELRY STORES.

ITALIAN RESTAURANT RISTORANTE MAIETTA, ENGLISHTOWN

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BREAKFAST

Photo courtesy of Turning Point

Turning Point, multiple locations; theturningpoint.biz With seven locations throughout the county, this local chain makes it easy for hungry residents to grab a truly special breakfast. You name it, Turning Point has it: pancakes both plain and smothered with berries or chocolate, French toast, omelets for every taste and even grain bowls with your choice of protein. Add to that seasonal specials and perfect French press coffee, and it’s no surprise that this spot has won “Best Breakfast” for four straight years.

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SEPTEMBER 2025

8/14/25 4:28 PM

RESTAURANTS AND FOOD BAGELS 1. Gem’s House of Bagels Multiple locations gemsbagels.com 2. Hot Bagel Bakery 67 Monmouth Rd., # 2 Oakhurst 732.870.6262 hotbagelbakery.com 3. Bagel Masters 661 Broad St. Shrewsbury 732.224.0333 bagelmasters.com BAKERY 1. Chocolate Carousel 2510 Belmar Blvd.

Wall Township 732.280.0606 chocolatecarousel.com

2. Semolina 13 White St. Red Bank 732.945.6816 semolinarestaurant.com

3. Chef Collins Events 413 Sixth Ave. Asbury Park 732.239.1218 chefcollinsevents.com

3. Tommy’s Tavern and Tap Multiple locations tommystavernandtap.com

3. Drew’s Bayshore Bistro 44 E. Front St. Keyport 732.739.9219 drewsbayshorebistro.com

CHEESE SHOP 1. Fourchette 132 Broad St. Red Bank 732.268.7928 fourchette-fromage.com

CANDY/ CHOCOLATES 1. Chocolate Carousel 2510 Belmar Blvd.

Wall Township 732.280.0606 chocolatecarousel.com

2. C’est Cheese 516 Summerfield Ave. Asbury Park cestcheese asburypark.com

BREAKFAST 1. Turning Point Multiple locations turningpoint restaurants.com 2. Sissy’s at the Harbor 8 Simon Lake Dr. Atlantic Highlands 732.291.2218 3. Hudson Café 25 First Ave. Atlantic Highlands 732.872.2300 thehudsoncafe.com

2. Caputo’s 444 Ocean Blvd. N. Suite 11 Long Branch 732.222.3838 caputospastryshoppe.com

BURGERS 1. Hey Burger NJ 180 Rte. 36 Keansburg 732.769.2300 heyburgernj.net

3. The Baker’s Grove 524 Broad St. Shrewsbury 732.243.3249 thebakersgrove.com

2. The Squire at Branches 123 Monmouth Rd. West Long Branch 866.778.4738 thesquirenj.com

BARBECUE 1. Local Smoke Multiple locations localsmokebbq.com 2. Mutiny BBQ 808 Fifth Ave. Asbury Park 732.366.9985 mutinybbq.com 3. Monti’s BBQ 71 First Ave. Atlantic Highlands 732.204.2437 montysnjbbq.com

Photo courtesy of Fair Mountain Coffee Roasters

2. Hey Burger NJ 180 Rte. 36 Keansburg 732.769.2300 heyburgernj.net

BAR FOOD 1. The Squire at Branches 123 Monmouth Rd. West Long Branch 866.778.4738 thesquirenj.com

*

not located in Monmouth County

CATERER 1. Taliercio’s Ultimate Gourmet 500 Rte. 35, Suite 7G Red Bank 732.576.1888 talierciosdeli.com 2. Falco’s Catering 1110 Rte. 35 Ocean Township 732.660.9000 falcoscatering.com

3. Barnacle Bill’s 1 First St. Rumson 732.747.8396 barnaclebillsrumson.com BUTCHER 1. Monmouth Meats 112 Monmouth St. Red Bank 732.741.5292 monmouthmeats.com 2. Palmers Quality Meats 40 Steiner Ave. Neptune City 732.361.5599 palmersqualitymeats.com 3. Pops Butcher Shop 175 Monmouth Rd., #7 West Long Branch 732.571.7677 popsbutchershop.com BYO RESTAURANT 1. Anjelica’s 1070 Ocean Ave. Sea Bright 732.842.2800 anjelicas.com

2. Suzi’s Sweet Shoppe 1100 Rte. 35 Middletown Township 732.796.0115 suzisweetshoppe.com

COFFEE/ TEA HOUSE 1. Fair Mountain Coffee Roasters 171 First Ave. Atlantic Highlands 732.708.0800 fairmountaincoffee.com 2. Rook Coffee Multiple locations rookcoffee.com 3. Booskerdoo Multiple locations booskerdoo.com

2. Birdsmouth 675 Oceanport Wy. Oceanport 973.352.2842 birdsmouthbeer.com 3. Belford Brewery (TIE) 84 Leonardville Rd. Belford 732.769.7168 belfordbrewing.com 3. Alternate Ending Beer Co. (TIE) 1057 Rte. 34 Aberdeen Township 732.612.8422 alternateending beerco.com CUPCAKES 1. Chocolate Carousel 2510 Belmar Blvd.

Wall Township 732.280.0606 chocolatecarousel.com 2. Cupcake Magician 54 Monmouth St. Red Bank 732.530.5700 cupcakemagician online.com

3. Cups and Cakes 122 E. River Rd. Rumson 732.842.8080 cupsandcakes rumson.com DONUTS 1. Broad Street Dough Multiple locations broadstreetdoughco.com 2. Chocolate Carousel 2510 Belmar Blvd.

Wall Township 732.280.0606 chocolatecarousel.com 3. Duck Donuts Multiple locations duckdonuts.com FARMERS’ MARKET 1. Red Bank Farmer’s Market West Front Street and Bridge Avenue Red Bank 732.530.7300 thegalleriaredbank.com 2. Asbury Fresh Market Emory Street Asbury Park 732.481.4691 asburyfresh.com 3. Fair Haven Farmers Market 25 Willow St. Fair Haven fairhavenfm.com

COFFEE HOUSE Fair Mountain Coffee Roasters, 171 First Ave., Atlantic Highlands, 732.708.0800; fairmountaincoffee.com This first-class coffee house is not only committed to both fair trade and organic coffee beans, it also takes pride in its stunning latte art, which always catches eyes on social media with perfect hearts, ferns and swans. How’s the coffee? Every drink has a deep and complex flavor. Who could say no?

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3. Wegmans Multiple locations wegmans.com

CRAFT BREWERY 1. Carton Brewing Company 6 E. Washington Ave. Atlantic Highlands 732.654.2337 cartonbrewing.com

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WindMill Hot Dogs, Multiple locations, windmillhotdogs.com This Jersey Shore staple has been perfecting its hot dog since 1964, and all those decades of work have more than paid off. Flavor, bun, char, that perfect summertime hot dog snap—WindMill has the winning formula down to a science. Pick up a classic with mustard, ketchup and relish, opt for a chili or a cheese dog option, or select one of the specialties, such as the Reuben dog with Swiss cheese, sauerkraut and Russian dressing.

FRENCH RESTAURANT 1. Pascal and Sabine 601 Bangs Ave., Ste. 401 Asbury Park 732.774.3395 pascalandsabine.com 2. River Pointe Inn 132 E. River Rd. Rumson 732.530.6590 riverpointeinn.com GLUTEN-FREE GOODIES 1. Papa Ganache Multiple locations papaganache.com 2. Chocolate Carousel 2510 Belmar Blvd.

Wall Township 732.280.0606 chocolatecarousel.com 3. Seed to Sprout 410 Main St. Avon-By-The-Sea 732.774.7333 seedtosproutnj.com GOURMET GROCERY 1. Uncle Giuseppe’s Multiple locations uncleg.com

2. Delicious Orchards 320 Rte. 34 Colts Neck 732.462.1989 deliciousorchardsnj.com 3. Livoti’s Multiple locations livotisoldworldmarket.com GREEK RESTAURANT 1. The Greek Spot Multiple locations thegreekspotnj.com 2. Simply Greek 44 Centennial Dr. Long Branch 732.571.0222 simplygreekeats.com 3. Anemos Greek Cuisine 333 Rte. 9 Manalapan Township 732.414.6590 anemosgreekcuisine.com HEALTH AND FOOD STORE 1. Green’s Market Multiple locations greensnaturalfoods.com 2. Whole Foods Multiple locations wholefoodsmarket.com

3. Soulberry Natural Market 2407 Rte. 71, #3 Spring Lake 732.449.4950 soulberrymarket.com

INDIAN RESTAURANT 1. Bombay River 90 Broad St. Red Bank 732.530.1598 bombayriver.com

HOT DOGS 1. Windmill Hot Dogs Multiple locations windmillhotdogs.com

2. Mauka 78 Rte. 35 Eatontown 732.876.4765 maukaindiancuisine.com

2. G&G Hot Dogs Food stand on Shrewsbury Avenue Red Bank 3. Max’s Bar & Grill 25 Matilda Ter. Long Branch 732.571.0248 ICE CREAM 1. Nicholas Creamery Multiple locations nicholascreamery.com 2. Ryan’s Homemade Ice Cream 462 Shrewsbury Ave., #4901 Tinton Falls 732.842.5874 ryansicecream.com 3. Hoffman’s Ice Cream Multiple locations hoffmansicecreamnj.net

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3. Neelam Exotic Indian Cuisine 1178 Rte. 35 Middletown 732.671.8900 neelamindiancuisine.com ITALIAN DELI 1. Taliercio’s Ultimate Gourmet 500 Rte. 35, Suite 7G Red Bank 732.576.1888 talierciosdeli.com 2. DeMarco’s Catering & Gourmet Deli 1121 Rte. 34 Aberdeen Township 732.566.2112 demarcoscatering.com 3. Antonio’s (TIE) 2201 Sunset Ave. Ocean Township 732.988.1570 antoniosgourmet.net

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3. Livoti’s (TIE) Multiple locations livotisoldworldmarket.com ITALIAN RESTAURANT 1. Ristorante Maietta 11 Tennent Ave. Englishtown 732.446.7387 maiettas.com 2. Anjelica’s 1070 Ocean Ave. Sea Bright 732.842.2800 anjelicas.com 3. Patricia’s 2132 Rte. 35 Holmdel 732.275.0234 patriciasofholmdel.com JAPANESE RESTAURANT 1. Yumi (TIE) 1120 E. Ocean Ave. Sea Bright 732.212.0881 9 Broad St. Red Bank 732.842.8868 yumirestaurant.com 1. Taka (TIE) 660 Cookman Ave. Asbury Park 732.775.1020 takaasbury.com 2. Ichiban Holmdel Japanese Restaurant 2101 Rte. 35 Holmdel 732.671.0888 ichibanholmdelnj.com 3. Sono Sushi (TIE) 1098 Rte. 35 Middletown Township 732.706.3588 sonosushi.net 3. Toki Japanese Restaurant (TIE) 80 Broad St. Red Bank 732.268.8619 tokisushiredbank.com MEXICAN RESTAURANT 1. Juanito’s 159 Monmouth St. Red Bank 732.747.9118 juanitosredbank.com

2. Reynas 4057 Asbury Ave. Tinton Falls 732.922.2011 reynasmexican restaurant.com 3. Zoe’s Emilio’s Kitchen 77 Center Ave. Atlantic Highlands 732.204.7311 zoesemilioskitchen.com NEW RESTAURANT 1. Brothers Daley 1124 Ocean Ave. Sea Bright 732.230.6056 brothersdaley.com 2. The Squire at Branches 123 Monmouth Rd. West Long Branch 866.778.4738 thesquirenj.com 3. Saltwater Bar & Kitchen 128 Bay Ave. Highlands 732.444.2055 saltwaterbarand kitchen.com OUTDOOR DINING 1. The Proving Ground 56 Shrewsbury Ave. Highlands 732.872.2266 theprovingground.com 2. Brothers Daley 1124 Ocean Ave. Sea Bright 732.230.6056 brothersdaley.com 3. Rooney’s 100 Ocean Ave. N. Long Branch 732.870.1200 rooneysocean.com PIES 1. Delicious Orchards 320 Rte. 34 Colts Neck 732.462.1989 deliciousorchardsnj.com 2. Chocolate Carousel 2510 Belmar Blvd.

Wall Township 732.280.0606 chocolatecarousel.com ...continued

*

not located in Monmouth County

Photo courtesy of WindMill Hot Dogs

HOT DOGS

SEPTEMBER 2025

8/18/25 2:56 PM

NEW RESTAURANT

Photo courtesy of Brothers Daley

Brothers Daley, 1124 Ocean Ave., Sea Bright, 732.230.6056, brothersdaley.com Monmouth’s Irish heritage runs deep, and its spread of highly rated Irish pubs reflects that.

Brothers Daley, which opened late last summer, lives up to those expectations. With the perfect pub atmosphere, an elevated menu (including a raw bar, deviled eggs with crab, strip steak and more) and innovated cocktails (including a salt-and-vinegar martini we’re dying to try), this is the ideal spot for a family dinner, a boys’ night out or a date night.

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STEAKHOUSE

Photo courtesy of the Butcher’s Block

The Butcher’s Block, 235 West Ave., Long Branch, thebutchersblocknj.com With 40 years of experience in the industry, the folks behind The Butcher’s Block are passionate about high-quality, all-natural prime meats—and you can almost taste the commitment in every bite. Indulge in house-prepared beef ribs, ribeye and more as well as a mouthwatering assortment of specialized dipping sauces. More reasons to visit? The pulled pork mac and cheese, pork dumplings and garlic herb French fries are must-tries.

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3. The Bakers Grove (TIE) 524 Broad St. Shrewsbury 732.243.3249 thebakersgrove.com 3. Dearborn Farms (TIE) 2170 Rte. 35 Holmdel 732.264.0256 dearbornmarket.com PIZZA 1. Federici’s Family Restaurant 14 E. Main St. Freehold 732.462.1312 federicis.com 2. Vic’s Italian Restaurant (TIE) 60 Main St. Bradley Beach 732.774.8225 vicspizza.com 2. Luigi’s Famous Pizza (TIE) 650 Newman Springs Rd. Lincroft 732.842.2122 luigisfamous.com 2. Pete and Elda’s (TIE) 96 Woodland Ave. Neptune City 732.774.6010 peteandeldas.com 3. Julio’s Pizza Co. 75 First Ave. Atlantic Highlands 848.300.2674 heyitsjulios.com ROMANTIC RESTAURANT 1. The Squire at Branches 123 Monmouth Rd. West Long Branch 866.778.4738 thesquirenj.com

Photo courtesy of Hey Burger NJ

2. Moonstruck 517 Lake Ave. Asbury Park 732.988.0123 moonstrucknj.com 3. Angelica’s 1070 Ocean Ave. N. Sea Bright 732.842.2800 anjelicas.com

SEAFOOD RESTAURANT 1. 2nd Jetty 140 Ocean Ave. N. Sea Bright 732.224.8700 2ndjetty.com

3. Bangkok House Authentic Thai 26 Rte. 35 Eatontown 732.389.3890 bangkokhousenj.com VEGAN/VEGETARIAN RESTAURANT 1. Seed to Sprout 410 Main St. Avon-By-The-Sea 732.774.7333 seedtosproutnj.com

2. Bahrs Landing 2 Bay Ave. Highlands 732.872.1245 bahrslanding.com 3. Navesink Fishery 1004 Rte. 36 Atlantic Highlands 732.291.8017 navesinkfishery.com STEAKHOUSE 1. The Butcher’s Block 235 West Ave. Long Branch thebutchersblocknj.com 2. The Squire at Branches (TIE) 123 Monmouth Rd. West Long Branch 866.778.4738 thesquirenj.com

3. Nature’s Plate 15 Main St. Keyport 732.497.0548 naturesplatenj.com WATERFRONT DINING 1. The Proving Ground 56 Shrewsbury Ave. Highlands 732.872.2266 theprovingground.com

2. Gabriella’s (TIE) 447 Rte. 35 Red Bank 732.456.6699 gabriellasnj.com 3. Neil Michael’s (TIE) 1104 Rte. 36 Hazlet 732.217.3626 neilmichael steakhouse.com 3. Char (TIE) 33 Broad St. Red Bank 732.450.2427 charsteakhouse.com THAI RESTAURANT 1. Kunya Siam 99 First Ave. Atlantic Highlands 732.291.0251 kunyasiam.com 2. Bamboo Leaf 722-724 Main St. Bradley Beach 732.774.1661 bambooleafthai eatery.com

2. Good Karma Cafe 17 East Front St. Red Bank 732.450.8344 goodkarmacafenj.com

2. Rooney’s 100 Ocean Ave. N. Long Branch 732.870.1200 rooneysocean.com

WINGS 1. Hey Burger NJ 180 Rte. 36 Keansburg 732.769.2300 heyburgernj.net 2. Jack’s Goal Line Stand 149 Brighton Ave. Long Branch 732.870.8800 jacksgoallinestand.com

ENTERTAINMENT AND NIGHTLIFE GIRLS’ NIGHT OUT 1. The Squire at Branches 123 Monmouth Rd. West Long Branch 866.778.4738 thesquirenj.com 2. Brothers Daley 1124 Ocean Ave. Sea Bright 732.230.6056 brothersdaley.com 3. The Proving Ground 56 Shrewsbury Ave. Highlands 732.872.2266 theprovingground.com

GUYS’ NIGHT OUT 1. The Squire at Branches 123 Monmouth Rd. West Long Branch 866.778.4738 thesquirenj.com 2. Brothers Daley 1124 Ocean Ave. Sea Bright 732.230.6056 brothersdaley.com 3. The Proving Ground 56 Shrewsbury Ave. Highlands 732.872.2266 theprovingground.com DANCE LESSONS 1. East Coast Dance Company 2204 Rte. 35 Sea Girt 732.987.9047 eastcoastdancenj.com 2. Arthur Murray Multiple locations arthurmurray.com GYMNASTICS SCHOOL 1. Epic 2351 Rte. 34 Manasquan 732.223.5020 epicgymnj.com

2. Barnstormers 102 Ave. of Two Rivers Rumson 732.747.7463 barnstormers gymnastics.com 3. Head Over Heels Multiple locations headoverheelsgym. flywheelsites.com HAPPY HOUR 1. The Squire at Branches 123 Monmouth Rd. West Long Branch 866.778.4738 thesquirenj.com 2. The Proving Ground 56 Shrewsbury Ave. Highlands 732.872.2266 theprovingground.com 3. Salt Creek Grill (TIE) 1 Rockingham Row Princeton 609.419.4200 saltcreekgrille.com 3. Reyla (TIE) 603 Mattison Ave. Asbury Park 732.455.8333 heyreyla.com 3. Ristorante Maietta (TIE) 11 Tennent Ave. Englishtown 732.446.7387 maiettas.com

WINGS Hey Burger NJ, 180 Rte. 36, Keansburg, 732.769.2300; heyburgernj.net Bar food classics are done to perfection at Hey Burger, and the wings are no exception. Try either classic bone-in or boneless options, and then choose your favorite sauce— either Buffalo, barbeque, Cajun, garlic parm or mango habanero. Pro tip: Keep an eye on the restaurant’s Instagram page, as it showcases daily specials and discounts.

*

not located in Monmouth County

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3. Bahrs Landing 2 Bay Ave. Highlands 732.872.1245 bahrslanding.com

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The Squire at Branches, 123 Monmouth Rd., West Long Branch, 866.778.4738; thesquirenj.com How does a spicy watermelon margarita or a raspberry pineapple tequila sour sound? Those are only two of the many innovative sips you can try at The Squire at Branches, which has quickly become a staple since joining the restaurant scene in 2023. The cocktail menu rotates by season, so the ingredients are always fresh and the themes are on point (cucumber flavors for spring and summer, and apple for fall), and you can try something new every time.

IRISH PUB 1. Dublin House 30 Monmouth St. Red Bank 732.747.6699 thedublinhouse.co 2. Brothers Daley 1124 Ocean Ave. Sea Bright 732.230.6056 brothersdaley.com 3. Kelly’s Tavern (TIE) 43 Rte. 35 Neptune City 732.775.9517 kellystavern jerseyshore.com 3. St. Stephen’s Green (TIE) 2031 Rte. 71 Spring Lake 732.449.2626 ssgpub.com KARAOKE 1. Georgie’s 810 Fifth Ave. Asbury Park 732.988.1220 georgiesbarap.com

2. Chubby Pickle 23 Bay Ave. Highlands 732.872.7000 thechubbypicklenj.com 3. MJ’s Restaurant Bar & Grill Multiple locations mjsrestaurant.com KIDS’ INDOOR PLAYGROUND 1. Raising Sunshine 160 Ave. at the Common Shrewsbury raisingsunshinellc.com 2. Little Dreamers Play Cafe (TIE) 2903 Rte. 138 Wall Township 732.556.6727 littledreamers playcafe.com 2. Jungle Jim & Jane (TIE) 2399 Rte. 36 Atlantic Highlands 732.872.4380 junglejimandjane.com 3. Matcha & Minis 555 Shrewsbury Ave., Store A Shrewsbury 201.300.0316 matchaandminis.com

LIVE MUSIC 1. The Stone Pony 913 Ocean Ave. N. Asbury Park 732.502.0600 stoneponyonline.com 2. The Proving Ground 56 Shrewsbury Ave. Highlands 732.872.2266 theprovingground.com 3. Jamian’s Food and Drink 79 Monmouth St. Red Bank 732.747.8050 jamiansfood.com SPECIALTY COCKTAILS 1. The Squire at Branches 123 Monmouth Rd. West Long Branch 866.778.4738 thesquirenj.com 2. Brothers Daley 1124 Ocean Ave. Sea Bright 732.230.6056 brothersdaley.com 3. The Proving Ground 56 Shrewsbury Ave. Highlands 732.872.2266 theprovingground.com

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NEIGHBORHOOD BAR 1. Nic’s Hometown Tavern 180 Rte. 36 Hazlet 732.769.2200 2. Brothers Daley 1124 Ocean Ave. Sea Bright 732.230.6056 brothersdaley.com PUBLIC GOLF COURSE 1. Hominy Hill Golf Course 92 Mercer Rd. Colts Neck 732.462.9222 hominyhill.com 2. Bel Aire (TIE) 3120 Allaire Rd. Wall Township 732.449.6024 monmouthcountyparks. com 2. Pebble Creek (TIE) 224 Rte. 537 Colts Neck 732.303.9090 pebblecreekgolfclub.com

SPORTS BAR 1. Baseline Social 675 Oceanport Wy. Oceanport 732.430.2533 baselinesocialnj.com 2. Jack’s Goal Line Stand 149 Brighton Ave. Long Branch 732.870.8800 jacksgoallinestand.com 3. Tommy’s Tavern and Tap Multiple locations tommystavernandtap.com

SHOPPING ACTIVEWEAR 1. Monmouth Beach Yoga & Wellness 36 Beach Rd., Suite 10 Monmouth Beach 973.452.2828 mbyogaandwellness.com 2. Athleta Multiple locations athleta.gap.com 3. Lululemon Multiple locations lululemon.com BIKE SHOP 1. Peddler’s Shop * 1907 Deptford Center Rd. Deptford 856.228.7800 pscycles.com 2. Highlander 28 First Ave. Atlantic Highlands 732.413.4022 highlandernj.com 3. Shrewsbury Bicycles 765 Broad St. Shrewsbury 732.741.2799 shrewsburybicycles.com CHILDREN’S BOUTIQUE 1. Little Waves Kids 8 White St. Red Bank 832.851.6290 littlewaveskids.com 2. Little Chicken 35 First Ave. Atlantic Highlands littlechickenkids.com

*

not located in Monmouth County

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CONSIGNMENT/ VINTAGE CLOTHING 1. Cottontails 980 Shrewsbury Ave. Tinton Falls 732.542.7163 cottontails consignment.com 2. Bo’s Attic 455 Rte. 36 Middletown Township 732.787.1150 bosatticnj.com 3. Back on the Racks 1121 Rte. 35 Ocean Township 732.272.1416 backontheracksnj.com EYEWEAR 1. An Eye To The Future 935 Rte. 34 Matawan 732.583.9797 aneyetothefuture.com 2. Eyes on First Ave. 89 First Ave. Atlantic Highlands 732.291.3937 eyesonfirstave.com 3. Costco Multiple locations costco.com NEIGHBORHOOD JEWELER 1. Jeweled Studio Boutique 305 Rte. 9 Manalapan Township 732.303.9433 jeweledstudio.com 2. Earth Treasures Jewelers 178 Rte. 35 Eatontown 732.542.5444 shopearthtreasures.com 3. Shoshany Jewelers 4022 Rte. 9 S. Morganville 732.851.4500 shoshanyjewelers.com Photo courtesy of The Squire at Branches

SPECIALTY COCKTAILS

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CHILDREN’S BOUTIQUE

Photo courtesy of Little Waves Kids

Little Waves Kids, 8 White St., Red Bank, 832.851.6290; littlewaveskids.com This adorable storefront in the heart of Red Bank is a one-stop shop for children’s apparel and gifts. A curated selection of high-quality and high-end brands serves the store’s mission statement of creating a “haven for parents seeking special pieces that stand out from the ordinary,” and ensures that young ones look and feel their best. Child’s birthday coming up?

Browse Little Wave’s dolls, stuffed animals, bikes and puzzles.

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SURF SHOP

Photo courtesy of Lucky Dog Surf Co.

Lucky Dog Surf Co., 1096 Ocean Ave., Sea Bright, 732.314.6900; luckydogsurf.com No matter your level of expertise, this Sea Bright shop makes sure you get the most out of your surfing experience. Veterans and newbies alike will find gear, rentals and a community-driven atmosphere. Browse boards, apparel and more while enjoying immaculate beach vibes. For those just getting started, check out the surf school and camp, which is designed to get you riding the waves in no time.

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FLORIST 1. Flower Power 107 Leonardville Rd. Belford 732.495.9400 flowerpowerflorist andgifts.com 2. Sage Home and Floral 36 Beach Rd. Monmouth Beach 848.303.8900 3. Cameron’s Keansburg Florist 173 Port Monmouth Rd. Keansburg 732.787.1387 keansburgnjflorist.com GIFT SHOP 1. Jeweled Studio Boutique 305 Rte. 9 Manalapan Township 732.303.9433 jeweledstudio.com 2. Carla Gizzi (TIE) 1301A Memorial Dr. Asbury Park 732.774.4494 1300 Ocean Ave. N. Asbury Park 732.988.0000 carlagizzi.com 2. Keyport FunHouse (TIE) 81 Broad St. Keyport 732.847.9794 keyportfunhouse.com 3. Junction Boutique 980 Rte. 36 Atlantic Highlands 732.884.8918 junctionboutique giftshop.com INDEPENDENT BOOKSTORE 1. River Road Books 759 River Rd. Fair Haven 732.747.9455 riverroadbooks.net

Photo courtesy of Talking Heads

2. Asbury Book Cooperative 644A Cookman Ave. Asbury Park 732.455.5549 MEN’S FASHION 1. Garmany 121 Broad St. Red Bank 732.576.8500 garmany.com

2. Duru Luxury Men’s Clothing 801 Broad St. Shrewsbury 732.741.1999 duruluxury.com

SURF SHOP 1. Lucky Dog Surf Co. 1096 Ocean Ave. Sea Bright 732.314.6900 luckydogsurf.com

NURSERY/GARDEN CENTER 1. Shore River Garden Center 1441 Lakewood Rd. Manasquan 732.962.3162 shorerivergardens.com

2. Brave New World 1208 Richmond Ave. Point Pleasant Beach 732.899.8220 brave.surf.com

2. Colonial Nursery 1124 W. Front St. Lincroft 732.530.3838 colonialnurserynj.com

3. Glide 520 Bangs Ave. Asbury Park 732.456.9421 glidesurfco.com

3. Barlow’s (TIE) 1014 Sea Girt Ave. Sea Girt 732.449.9189 barlowflowerfarm.com

WOMEN’S FASHION 1. Monmouth Beach Yoga & Wellness (TIE) 36 Beach Rd., Suite 10 Monmouth Beach 973.452.2828 mbyogaandwellness.com

3. Dearborn Farms (TIE) 2170 Rte. 35 Holmdel 732.264.0256 dearbornmarket.com

1. Destination Asbury (TIE) 644 Cookman Ave. Asbury Park 732.361.3299

PET BOUTIQUE 1. Green Leaf Pet Resort 23 Burnt Tavern Rd. Millstone 609.259.1500

HEALTH & BEAUTY

1602 Rte. 35 Oakhurst 732.272.0800 greenleafpetresort.com 2. Fur the Love of Grooming (TIE) 104A Kings Hwy. Middletown Township 732.339.3808 furtheloveofpets.com 2. The Dog Spaw of Little Silver & Freehold (TIE) 8 Fairview Ave. Little Silver 732.747.9744 thedog-spaw.com SPORTING GOODS/ OUTDOORS STORE 1. Dick’s Multiple locations dickssportinggoods.com

AIRBRUSH TAN 1. Coco Glow 55 White Rd., #2B Shrewsbury 732.362.7890 cocoglowairbrush.com

3. East Coast Glo 410 Rte. 71 Spring Lake Heights 732.449.4336 eastcoastglo.com BARBER 1. Talking Heads 700 Mattison Ave., Suite A Asbury Park 732.988.4295 talkingheadsbarbershop.com 2. The Vagabond Barber 261A E. Main St. Oceanport 732.239.2102 thevagabondbarber.com 3. Swagger Barbershop 104 Leonardville Rd. Belford 732.495.1718 BODY WAXING 1. Aquaspa 167 Rte. 9 Marlboro Township 732.422.5005 aquaspasalon.com 2. Kur Wellness Studios 412 Bond St. Asbury Park 732.361.8956 kurstudios.com

3. Salon Kokopelli (TIE) 201 Union Ave. Brielle 732.223.2600 311 Morris Ave. Spring Lake 732.449.7444 salonkokopelli.com 3. Waks (TIE) 700 Main St. A Avon-By-The-Sea 848.233.4973 65 Main St. Eatontown 848.233.4973 waksbykayla.com DAY SPA 1. Aquaspa 167 Rte. 9 Marlboro Township 732.422.5005 aquaspasalon.com 2. Kur Wellness Studios 412 Bond St. Asbury Park 732.361.8956 kurstudios.com 3. Mosaic Day Spa * 410 Amboy Ave. Woodbridge 732.669.9880 mosaicwellness beauty.com

*

not located in Monmouth County

EYEBROW SHAPING 1. Aquaspa 167 Rte. 9 Marlboro Township 732.422.5005 aquaspasalon.com 2. Salon Kokopelli 201 Union Ave. Brielle 732.223.2600 311 Morris Ave. Spring Lake 732.449.7444 salonkokopelli.com 3. Arch Brow Bar 782 Broad St. Shrewsbury 732.933.0400 archbrowbar.com FACIAL 1. Aquaspa 167 Rte. 9 Marlboro Township 732.422.5005 aquaspasalon.com 2. Kur Wellness Studios 412 Bond St. Asbury Park 732.361.8956 kurstudios.com 3. Alchemy House of Yoga 171 First Ave., Unit 1 Atlantic Highlands 347.827.1985 alchemyhouseofyoga.com

BARBER Talking Heads, 700 Mattison Ave., Suite A, Asbury Park, 732.988.4295; talkingheadsbarbershop.com This Asbury Park spot proclaims that “art is a verb,” summing up its ethos quite nicely. The work of art, in this case, is making sure you look your best, and Talking Heads isn’t afraid to get visionary with it. A dedicated staff of experts is ready to elevate your look to the next level, whether you’re seeking a whole new style or a quick trim and shave.

2. Ski Barn 795 Broad St. Shrewsbury 732.945.3900 skibarn.com MONMOUTHMAG.COM

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2. Healthy Glow 133 Markham Pl. Little Silver 732.450.0400 healthyglowtanfl.com

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Tula Yoga, 1212 Rte. 34, #27, Aberdeen Township, 732.970.7500; yogateachertrainingnj.com Some practice yoga to clear the mind, some practice it to challenge the body. No matter what you hope to get from your experience, Tula is here to guide you. Named for the Sanskrit word for “balance,” the studio offers more than 60 weekly classes and workshops to support your journey to your most ideal self. Try a classic class, warm yoga or a class aimed to build core strength.

Want something different? Tula also offers aerial yoga.

HOLISTIC WELLNESS CENTER 1. Tula Yoga 1212 Rte. 34, #27 Aberdeen Township 732.970.7500 yogateacher trainingnj.com 2. Alchemy House of Yoga 171 First Ave., Unit 1 Atlantic Highlands 347.827.1985 alchemyhouseofyoga.com 3. Kur Wellness Studios 412 Bond St. Asbury Park 732.361.8956 kurstudios.com MAKEUP APPLICATION 1. Salon Kokopelli 201 Union Ave. Brielle 732.223.2600 311 Morris Ave. Spring Lake 732.449.7444 salonkokopelli.com

2. Mosaic Wellness & Beauty * 410 Amboy Ave. Woodbridge 732.669.9880 mosaicwellness beauty.com MASSAGE 1. Aquaspa 167 Rte. 9 Marlboro Township 732.422.5005 aquaspasalon.com 2. Kur Wellness Studios 412 Bond St. Asbury Park 732.361.8956 kurstudios.com 3. Alchemy House of Yoga 171 First Ave., Unit 1 Atlantic Highlands 347.827.1985 alchemyhouseofyoga.com PHYSICAL THERAPY 1. Strong For Life Therapy & Wellness 732.962.8924 strongforlifetherapy.com 2. Kessler Rehabilitation Multiple locations kessler-rehab.com

3. JAG Physical Therapy Multiple locations jagpt.com

3. Family First Urgent Care Multiple locations familyfirst-urgentcare.com

SALON 1. Craft House 87 First Ave. Atlantic Highlands 732.291.8777 crafthousesalon.com

YOGA 1. Tula Yoga 1212 Rte. 34, #27 Aberdeen Township 732.970.7500 yogateacher trainingnj.com

2. Salon Seraphim 184 Rte. 9 Englishtown 732.972.5177 salonseraphim.com 3. Salon Kokopelli 201 Union Ave. Brielle 732.223.2600 311 Morris Ave. Spring Lake 732.449.7444 salonkokopelli.com URGENT CARE 1. IMA Urgent Care Multiple locations imamd.com 2. Sahni Medicine and Aesthetics 35 Village Ct. Hazlet 732.945.8800 sahnimed.com

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2. Purr’n Pooch Pet Resorts 86 Gilbert St. W. Tinton Falls 732.842.4949 2424 Rte. 35 Manasquan purrnpooch.com 3. Camp Bow Wow 284 Old Deal Rd. Eatontown 848.353.0328 campbowwow.com DOG GROOMER 1. Greenleaf Pet Resort 1602 Rte. 35 Oakhurst 732.272.0800 greenleafpetresort.com 2. Fur the Love of Grooming 104A Kings Hwy. Middletown Township 732.339.3808 furtheloveofpets.com

3. Hotel for Dogs (TIE) 401 Rte. 36 Port Monmouth 732.471.9247 ahotelfordogs.com

VETERINARY CENTER 1. Red Bank Veterinary Hospital 100 Schulz Dr. Red Bank 732.747.3636 redbankvet.com

2. Purr’n Pooch Pet Resorts (TIE) 86 Gilbert St. W. Tinton Falls 732.842.4949

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3. Dogs on the Farm (TIE) 790 Kings Hwy. E. Atlantic Highlands 732.872.7543 dogsonthefarm.com

DOG TRAINING 1. Greenleaf Pet Resort 1602 Rte. 35 Oakhurst 732.272.0800 greenleafpetresort.com

3. Monmouth Beach Yoga & Wellness 36 Beach Rd., Suite 10 Monmouth Beach 973.452.2828 mbyogaandwellness.com

* not located in Monmouth County

2424 Rte. 35 Manasquan purrnpooch.com

POOLS AND PATIO 1. Central Jersey Pools 4235 Rte. 9 Freehold 732.462.5005 centraljerseypools.com

2. Jersey Shore Dogs (TIE) 40 Wellington Dr. Tinton Falls 848.208.2641 jerseyshoredogtraining.com

DOG DAYCARE 1. Greenleaf Pet Resort 1602 Rte. 35 Oakhurst 732.272.0800 greenleafpetresort.com

2. Purr’n Pooch Pet Resorts 86 Gilbert St. W. Tinton Falls 732.842.4949

3. The Dog Spaw of Little Silver & Freehold 8 Fairview Ave. Little Silver 732.747.9744 thedog-spaw.com

2. Alchemy House of Yoga 171 First Ave., Unit 1 Atlantic Highlands 347.827.1985 alchemyhouseofyoga.com

SERVICES

PET BOARDING 1. Greenleaf Pet Resort 1602 Rte. 35 Oakhurst 732.272.0800 greenleafpetresort.com

2424 Rte. 35 Manasquan purrnpooch.com INTERIOR DESIGN 1. Style Creators * Old Bridge 732.972.4661 2. Dulce Feito-Daly 17 Linden Pl., #103 Red Bank 732.233.9500 dulcefeitodaly interiordesign.com

2. Oakhurst Veterinary Hospital 225 Monmouth Rd. Oakhurst 732.531.1212 oakhurstvet.com 3. Little Silver Animal Hospital 675 Branch Ave. Little Silver 732.842.8266 littlesilveranimal hospital.com

WRITE-IN CATEGORY ELECTRICAL SERVICES 1. MCM Electric Middletown 732.757.7807

Photo courtesy of Tula Yoga

YOGA

SEPTEMBER 2025

8/18/25 2:57 PM

The right Realtor® changes everything.

VOLUME 21 ISSUE 4 | SEPTEMBER

Monmouth The Bes HEALTH &

LIFE | FOOD

& FASHIO N | HOME

2023

& HAPPENINGS

SEPTEMBE R 2023 | $6.95

| MONMOU THMAG.CO M | VOLUME

21 ISSUE 4

t of 2023

THE READER

YOUR FAVE S 90+ CATEGORIN IES

S’ CHOIC E

COFFEE & COCKTAIL S FOOD & FASHION

ISSUE

GYMS & JEWELRY AND MUC H MORE!

*

FINE FARE AT PASCA L & SABIN E IN ASBURY PARK

MON.coverF

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5 SMART LOOKS FOR THE CLAS FARMHOU SROOM SE FLAIR IN HOLMDEL 10 TEENS MAKING THE GRADE

8/8/23 9:49 AM

ARE YOU A MONMOUTH COUNTY RESIDENT? SUBSCRIBE FREE TO MONMOUTH MAGAZINE!

Since 1968, the Matawan-Aberdeen Chamber of Commerce has been dedicated to serving businesses of all sizes in our local community and surrounding areas.

From dentistry to real estate, restaurants to yoga, our members offer the Best of Monmouth.

Scan this QR code to visit our website.

What can membership in our Chamber do for your business?

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8/19/25 12:56 PM

FALL THEATER PREVIEW

The Curtain’s Calling It’s like Broadway, but handier. This fall, the spotlight shines on performers in our area.

Live theater has a magic all its own. And while it’s great to have the hemisphere’s theatre hub just a short trip away in midtown Manhattan, it’s also convenient to be able to catch a play—and be entertained by real, live people—right nearby, without having to fight the traffic or hop a train. Lucky for us, the local arts scene is thriving, with plenty of venues in Monmouth County (and in nearby Ocean) offering top-notch productions with an intimacy and immediacy that can’t be matched on your home screen. Here are some of the highlights promised for this fall: HOLMDEL: HOLMDEL THEATRE COMPANY, HOLMDELTHEATRE COMPANY.ORG. Nov. 7–23: Ms. Holmes and Ms. Watson—Apt. 2B. The HTC’s first full main-stage production since 2024 is a fast-paced comedy filled with plot twists, chaos and laughs.

BEACH HAVEN: SURFLIGHT THEATER, SURFLIGHT.ORG. Sept. 25–Oct. 4: On Golden Pond. In nearby Ocean County, the theater company performs the classic Ernest Thompson drama about family connections and the last chances we get to rehabilitate them, featuring senior citizens Norman and Ethel Thayer and their middle-aged daughter.

LONG BRANCH: NEW JERSEY REPERTORY COMPANY, NJREP.ORG. Sept. 11–Oct. 5: Can’t Run Can’t Dance. The show tells the story of two women with checkered pasts who get dragged into a smuggling operation with unpredictable results. It was written by actor Gregg Henry, who starred in Scandal, Gilmore Girls and Guardians of the Galaxy.

DEAL PARK: AXELROD PERFORMING ARTS CENTER, AXELRODARTSCENTER.COM. Nov. 6–25: Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella. Bring the entire family to watch the timeless fairy tale come to life. This stage adaptation includes some of R&H’s most beloved songs, including “In My Own Little Corner,” “Impossible” and “Ten Minutes Ago.”

Oct. 30–Nov. 23: The Drop Off. Written by James Anthony Tyler, this show for teens and adults follows Allain, who has the painful responsibility of dropping off her elderly mother, Delphina, at the Deer Lakes Assisted Living Facility.

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RED BANK: THE VOGEL AT COUNT BASIE CENTER FOR THE ARTS, THEBASIE.ORG Oct. 17–18: Evil Dead: The Musical. This horror/comedy returns to the stage just in time for Halloween. The stage adaptation combines all the elements of the original cult classic films for a chaotic, funny and playfully creepy experience. Bonus: Splash Zone tickets are available.

MANASQUAN: ALGONQUIN ARTS THEATRE, ALGONQUINARTS.ORG. Oct. 10–19: The Rocky Horror Show. Is it even fall if you don’t sing “Time Warp” with the characters of this cult-classic musical? Join all the beloved personalities, including Dr. Frank-N-Furter, for a night of sci-fi thrills, unforgettable rock ’n’ roll and over-the-top fun.

RED BANK: TWO RIVER THEATER, TWORIVERTHEATER.ORG. Sept. 13–Oct. 5: Murder on the Links. This adaptation of Agatha Christie’s mystery follows detective Hercule Poirot, who is called to a country chateau in France and discovers a body on the golf course with a knife in its back.

Nov. 1–23: The Monsters: A Sibling Love Story.

This co-production with the Manhattan Theatre Club features Lil, obsessed with fighting, who one day shows up at the doorstep of her older brother Big, an aging mixed martial artist.

SPRING LAKE: SPRING LAKE THEATRE, SPRINGLAKETHEATRE.ORG. Oct. 10–26: Grease. Have a little fun and sing along as the Spring Lake Theatre performers take you back to Rydell High for the entertaining rock ‘n’ roll musical about romance and rebellion.

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Sunflower Power

One motif promises to give your harvest-time party a blend of virtues that’s rare these days: sophistication and bright good cheer.

As autumn’s golden hour arrives, few themes capture the season’s understated elegance quite like the sunflower.

Often associated with rustic charm, its bold blooms take on a refined allure when paired with thoughtfully curated details, artisanal fare and the soft glow of early fall light.

In her latest book, Swing By!: Entertaining Recipes and the New Art of Gathering (Rizzoli New York, 2024), author and entertaining guru Stephanie Nass shows the many possibilities of a sunflower-themed gathering. Flip through the following pages for ideas on how to entertain with style—as well as tips from event planner Allison Poplar of Port Monmouth-based All-In Events—while honoring the beauty of the changing season.

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HOW TO MAKE

SUNFLOWER NAPKINS To fold a napkin into the shape of a sunflower with 8 points: 1. Open your napkin to its full square shape.

2. Fold the four corners into the center of the napkin.

3. Fold the four new corners into the center.

4. Carefully flip the napkin over and fold the four corners into the center.

5. From behind each corner, pull up the pointed piece underneath to make a petal. Do this on each corner to create four petals.

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6. In between each corner piece, pull from behind to create four more petals. You can now place a seat assignment or plate in the middle of each napkin

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Any festive gathering needs a signature drink. Try this sunflower sangria: It’s a white wine base with peach slices, golden apples, a hint of ginger liqueur and edible yellow petals for garnish.”

—Allison Poplar

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SUNFLOWER CAKE WITH SUNFLOWER PETALS

GRILLED SUNFLOWER Serves 8 “When I first read about the concept of cooking a whole flower head, I was intrigued by the beautiful savory dish,” says entertaining expert Stephanie Nass. “It tasted like a nutty version of corn. Sunflowers from your flower store are probably not safe to eat, so instead buy from an organic farmstand—or use sunflowers grown in your own garden without pesticides.”

Makes one (10-inch) cake; serves 8 This reinterpretation of a classic almond cake with sunflower elements is gluten free.

INGREDIENTS n sunflower oil for greasing n 1½ cups sunflower seeds, shelled n 1½ cups sifted confectioners’ sugar n 1 large egg white, lightly beaten, at room temperature n ¾ cup granulated sugar n 1 stick (8 Tbs.) unsalted butter, softened n 2 tsp. vanilla extract n 6 large eggs n ½ cup sunflower seed flour n ½ tsp. baking powder n 1 tsp. kosher salt n organic sunflower petals and sunflower seeds, for garnish

DIRECTIONS 1. Preheat the oven to 325°F and grease a 10-inch springform pan with sunflower oil.

2. Place the sunflower seeds and confectioners’ sugar into the bowl of a food processor and pulse to create a grainy paste. This should be very well processed so that there are no little bits of seed. Transfer to a bowl and fold in the egg white with a rubber spatula. There will be extra paste, and it can be stored up to 1 week in the refrigerator and used in lieu of almond paste for pastries.

3. In the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, combine ¾ cup of the sunflower paste with the granulated sugar and beat on medium to create a grainier paste, 3 to 5 minutes.

4. Add the butter and vanilla extract and beat on medium speed until the batter is smooth and fluffy, 3 to 5 minutes. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, mixing thoroughly with each additional.

5. In a small bowl, whisk together the sunflower seed flour, baking powder and salt.

6. Beat the flour mixture into the wet batter in 2 or 3 additions on low speed. Mix just to combine after each addition.

7. Once the mixture is smooth and creamy, pour into the prepared cake pan.

8. Bake for 30 minutes, then place sunflower petals on the surface of the cake in the shape of a sunflower. Bake until the top becomes golden-brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, another 15 to 30 minutes.

9. Let the cake cool in the pan for at least 15 minutes before releasing from the pan.

10. Transfer to a cake stand and garnish with sunflower seeds and additional petals. The cake can be served both warm and at room temperature.

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INGREDIENTS n 8 young, organic sunflower heads n olive oil n kosher salt

DIRECTIONS 1. Clip the sunflowers from their stalks.

Remove the tiny flowers (“disk florets”) from the face of the sunflower. Remove the colored petals.

2. Preheat your grill to medium-high or set a large grill pan over medium-high heat.

3. Drizzle each sunflower face with olive oil and season with salt.

4. Set the sunflowers, face down, on the grill or in the pan and cook until the back of the flower is easily pierced with a knife, 5 to 10 minutes.

5. Plate and serve immediately.

All recipes and photos are reprinted with permission from Swing By!: Entertaining Recipes and the New Art of Gathering by Stephanie Nass (Rizzoli New York, 2024). Photography by Stockton Johnson.

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Use sunflowers as centerpieces, but make them chic. Instead of traditional mason jars, arrange sunflowers with dried grasses (such as pampas or wheat), eucalyptus and seasonal blooms in ceramic or antique brass vases for a more refined aesthetic. For your party’s overall color palette, try to balance the bold yellow of the flowers with soft neutrals like cream, taupe, sage green and dusty rose.

Think linen table runners, muted candles and natural wood accents.”

—Allison Poplar

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MILESTONES

FRIEND

OF THE

OCEAN FOR 20 YEARS, THE URBAN COAST INSTITUTE AT WEST LONG BRANCH’S MONMOUTH UNIVERSITY HAS DRAWN ON ACADEMIC RESEARCH TO PROTECT AND IMPROVE THE COAST AND ITS COMMUNITIES. It was good news for the seacoast in 2005, when Monmouth University’s West Long Branch-based Urban Coast Institute (UCI) was founded. For two decades now, the institute has brought people together to access resources, conduct research, implement policy and make community connections to ensure the well-being of the coastline and the people who live there.

Says Jason Adolf, a professor of marine science at Monmouth: “It connects science with people and policy.”

The UCI has created dozens of programs and initiatives, from exploring “coastal resilience” and infrastructure that stands up to destruction from coastal storms to working to restore oyster populations in Colts Neck and Sandy Hook.

What started off as the university’s strategic plan to take advantage of its proximity to the ocean has bloomed into an essential hub for marine environmental causes and science in Monmouth.

“The UCI is a think tank,” says Director Tony

MacDonald. Before returning to his home county and taking up this position, he lived and worked in Washington, D.C., as executive director of the Coastal States Organization and director of environmental affairs at the American Association of Port Authorities. “It’s looking to identify what issues coastal communities are experiencing, and then do what we can to gain the funding or implement policy to resolve those issues. We want to connect the university with the communities and people who are really doing the work.”

That’s the core of what makes UCI different from other organizations. “Monmouth University isn’t a huge research institute,” says MacDonald.

“We can’t pretend to be the Scripps Institution of Oceanography [part of the University of California San Diego]. But we can develop programs that really focus on local impact. We send our students out on the water, we send experts out into the Monmouth community. We focus on ocean health and water quality, protecting against coastal storms

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and coastal resilience, and ocean planning—that is, making sure that we support all the things we love about the ocean, from fisheries to ports to offshore wind initiatives.”

A LAND OF LAKES In 2019, Adolf began work on the Coastal Lakes Observing Network (CLONet), one of UCI’s successful projects. “There are coastal lakes dotted throughout Monmouth,” says Adolf. “Deal Lake is the biggest, but there are nine more, from Long Branch to Lake Como. They’re connected to the ocean and have salt water/fresh water exchange and fish migrations. They are also surrounded by highly populated areas, and their water quality has historically been bad.”

Communities had been working to monitor and restore the water quality in these lakes before CLONet, but the program “brought everyone onto the same page,” says Adolf. “We supply the equipment and train community members on how to

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Clockwise from top: Professor Jason Adolf and a Monmouth University student check a plankton sample; taking fish samples in Sandy Hook Bay helps gauge the health of both animal populations and the water; a student tags a shark in Sandy Hook Bay; students sample water in Wreck Pond.

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sample and test the water themselves, and access to a database where they can upload the results.” With all the information in one place, it’s easy to track trends and compare one lake with another—something not possible when townships, communities and individuals were doing this work on their own.

The results have been unbelievable, illustrating the resilience that working with community scientists offers.

“The university shut down during COVID,” Adolf explains.

“We closed in March, and I couldn’t get back into my lab until late summer. But if you look at the community data from that period, it keeps going. Throughout the whole shutdown, people were going out and taking samples from these lakes. We don’t have gaps the way a lot of other state- and university-funded projects do during that time.

We could have just done a university-led water quality monitoring program and not included community scientists.

Because we did, we now have six years of data.” This kind of program is also more easily scalable than lab-led projects.

“There’s a proof of concept here,” says Adolf. “Regular people are concerned for environmental health. It’s something we could scale across the state.”

From top: Students conduct a marine debris search in Barnegat Bay; a student dives with an oyster castle, crucial for repopulating the animals, at the Naval Weapons Station Earle in Colts Neck; a class observes a benthic sample—organisms from the bottom of a body of water—at Sandy Hook Bay.

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PUNCHING ABOVE ITS WEIGHT Also instrumental in the program is Erin Conlon, who worked with Adolf as a student and was later hired on as the Community Science Coordinator. “She kind of runs the show at this point,” says Adolf, making her another UCI success story.

Says MacDonald: “We needed to think—how can such a small institution make an impact? We can’t comment on every regulation, but we can tightly focus on coastal water quality, coastal resilience and ocean management. We didn’t know it was going to work when we started. But we kept that focus, and it has.”

Other successes include the Mid-Atlantic Ocean Data Portal, a free, publicly accessible and interactive resource that illustrates marine life distributions, shipping traffic, fishing activity and offshore infrastructure, and has been invaluable for both public education and ocean planning; co-founding the New Jersey Coastal Resilience Collaborative, which now has over 100 partners in communities helping create more ocean- and storm-safe coasts; and, with its Ocean Symposium and Champion of the Ocean Award, bringing prominent individuals such as French oceanographer Jean-Michel Cousteau and Richard Spinrad, administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), to Monmouth. That’s in addition to awarding dozens of student and faculty research grants, awarding endowed scholarships to undergraduates and supporting interdisciplinary art exhibits.

Says MacDonald: “We want people to empower themselves. The UCI and other organizations provide portals to more information than we’ve ever had before. Monmouth has the biggest public asset in the world: the ocean. We need to take ownership of that. Everybody, no matter their background, should bring their whole selves to this.”

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EXPECT BETTER®

WOMEN TO WATCH

WOMEN TO WATCH

WOMEN TO WATCH

Successfully marketing and selling exceptional homes in Monmouth County for over 30 years.

Lisa Porada Chocolate Carousel

Michele Crupi, Esq. LaRocca Hornik Rosen Greenberg & Crupi LLC

2510 Belmar Blvd., Wall NJ 07719-3948 | 732.280.0606 | www.chocolatecarousel.com | dessertfirst@chocolatecarousel.com

252 South St., Freehold, NJ 07728 | 732.409.1144 | www.divorcelawnj.com

Creative designs, family recipes and the top-tier service you’d expect from a family-owned business entering its 20th year have earned Lisa Porada’s dessert shop its popularity and far-reaching following. Lisa founded Chocolate Carousel after leaving her career in business and completing culinary training. She now serves as the executive pastry chef and lead cake designer—making good on a dream she first had working at a sweet shop in high school.

In an area of practice that benefits from a financial background coupled with an innate understanding of the emotional rigors, Michele found her calling as a matrimonial attorney where she assists people through their most critical times.

There is no doubt that recent technology has made a significant impact on the practice of law. With the emergence of digital assets, practitioners have to delve a bit deeper. Using her sharp problem-solving skills, Michele is experienced in structuring and securing fair, but creative settlements. And with the mounting backlog of cases confronting the courts, Michele, a trained litigator, is particularly encouraged by the trend of alternate dispute resolution as creative approaches to help couples stay out of court and work through the details of the divorce in the best interest of family. In making their own decisions and concessions guided by a strong, skillful advocate, clients are better prepared to look beyond the present to the promise of a bright future. Michele prides herself in assisting her clients navigate that path.

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More than just a bakery, Chocolate Carousel’s new Favor Studio sets the shop apart and makes visiting the bakery an absolute treat to the senses. Dedicated artists and pastry chefs can be seen crafting chocolate novelties, cake pops, and hand-decorated sugar cookies, tailored to complement their custom cakes for all occasions. Their extensive menu of desserts, favors, cakes and wedding cake designs, coupled with their creativity and customer service earned Chocolate Carousel its renowned reputation.

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11/30/22 2:58 PM

COMING IN DECEMBER

Kevin Murphy Broker/Owner

94 Maple Ave Red Bank, NJ 07701 C: (732) 687-1830 O: (732) 741-3030 kmurphy@murphymoves.com www.murphymoves.com

To participate, contact Jodi Bruker, Publisher 732.778.4744 Jodi.Bruker@wainscotmedia.com

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An independently owned and operated franchise.

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ESCAPES

5 JOYS OF JERSEY Cheek-to-cheek with Manhattan, we are too sophisticated to care much about state boundaries.

But if we let Garden State pride be our guide, what places we can visit.

For a state that’s relatively small in area, New Jersey unquestionably “punches above its weight” in beautiful scenery, historical attractions, to-die-for food and a legacy of incredible music and art. And it’s all worth exploring. New Jerseyans know that driving from the state’s northernmost point to its southern tip will only take about three-and-a-half hours—unless you hit traffic. (They’re also hip to the fact that “unless you hit traffic” is a laugh line.)

Yes, New York and Philly are on our state’s doorstep, and even D.C. and New England are a reasonable drive away. But what if you let state pride rule? New Jersey boosters don’t get together on everything (Taylor ham vs. pork roll, for example), but they do agree that five destinations are worth visiting:

WATERLOO VILLAGE, STANHOPE, SUSSEX COUNTY

This historical site is an authentic, restored 19th-century village, founded on the banks of the Morris Canal in 1820. Besides some truly beautiful scenery and the perfect spot for a day hike (nearby, stunning Quarry Lake is great for photo ops), Waterloo offers living-history tours of Victorian buildings, a blacksmith shop and a grist- and sawmill for a nice balance of education and adventure.

The Rutan Cabin, moved to Waterloo from Frankford Township in the 1980s, illustrates the lives of pioneer families in the area.

Also, check out Winakung, a recreated Lenape Indian village that celebrates the native people of New Jersey with hands-on exhibits. Craving even more history? Nearby Wild West City is a quirky theme park based on 1880s Dodge City, Kansas. Explore this “cowboy” town complete with shops, museums, pony and train rides, and panning for “gold.” It’s inhabited by costumed actors who bring history to life.

Stop for a bite. Also in Stanhope is the Black Forest Inn, an old-world German restaurant with an ambiance matched only by its menu. Wood paneling, stainedglass windows and cozy corner booths complement culinary offerings that include potato pancakes, traditional sausage, duck breast with apple and seasonal specials, all highlighting fresh local flavors.

More info. nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/ historic/waterloovillage; wildwestcity.com

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PRINCETON, MERCER COUNTY

This town’s Ivy League legacy speaks for itself, and visiting the campus isn’t just for hopeful prospective students—yes, many parts are open to tour. The Gothic architecture is jaw-dropping, with dramatic arches, castle-like towers and ribbed vaults that transport your imagination to another time and place. Every facet of high art and culture is at your fingertips here. Princeton University Concerts bring you up-close and personal with some of the world’s finest classical musicians (on Sept. 25, for instance, the Takács String Quartet plays Mozart) and, while the university’s art museum is closed for renovations until the end of October, the Art@Bainbridge gallery space on Nassau Street is currently showing the abstract works of contemporary artist Leni Paquet-Morante. History?

Drumthwacket, the official residence of the governor of New Jersey, also in Princeton, offers tours starting in September. Explore the charming downtown, with everything from chic, high-end jewelers to carefully curated boutiques to independent bookshops.

Stop for a bite. Want to indulge your sweet tooth? The Bent Spoon is can’t-miss—it was named one of the world’s best ice-cream shops by the Financial Times in 2022. With a “farm-to-spoon” sensibility, a plethora of creative flavors like lemon-lilac and a constantly rotating menu, this is a spot worth revisiting.

More info. experienceprinceton.org

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ASBURY PARK, MONMOUTH COUNTY

We know you can see that classic “Greetings from…” postcard in your head, and here in Monmouth it needs no introductions. A bustling city on the seaside, Asbury Park is an arts-and-culture hub and has been fertile ground for some of New Jersey’s best-known and best-loved musical acts.

Visit that history with a stop at the iconic Stone Pony, which just celebrated 50 years in 2024 and is known for launching the careers of Bruce Springsteen, Jon Bon Jovi and Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes.

(Punk legends the Menzingers are stopping

by Sept. 27.) Other famous venues? Asbury Lanes, where you can also bowl a few games; House of Independents, which quickly established itself as one of the premier music destinations of AP’s downtown; and The Wonder Bar, a nightclub and grill as entrenched in the local music scene as the Stone Pony itself. When you need a break from the music, stop by the Silverball Retro Arcade, where you can play more than 150 pinball machines, both vintage and modern.

Stop for a bite. Asbury Park has a thriving culinary scene. Try, for example, the whimsical European brasserie Pascal & Sabine, open for brunch and dinner.

Duck confit eggs benedict for brunch and pan-seared scallops for dinner are just the start of the menu, and don’t skip on the cocktails—the Buzz and Bloom, for instance, which combines tequila with chilihoney and lemon juice.

More info. apboardwalk.com

CAMDEN, CAMDEN COUNTY

You might think this is the wrong side of the state for an underwater adventure, but you’d be wrong. Tucked on the Delaware River waterfront, Camden’s Adventure Aquarium, one of the country’s finest, is filled with animals you won’t get a glimpse of anywhere else. See a colony of endangered African penguins and the only Nile hippopotamuses on display in an aquarium in the world. You can also walk across the Shark Bridge, an 18-foot-long, V-shaped suspension bridge that lets you stand inches above the Shark Realm exhibit, which is filled with sandbar, sand-tiger and nurse sharks. Once you’ve seen all the animals, stop by the U.S.S. New Jersey, an Iowa-class battleship that began its service during World War II and was decommissioned in the early 1990s as “America’s most decorated battleship.” It now serves as a museum and memorial, with tours offered daily. Keep an eye on the website for special events, such as the oncea-month Happy Hour on the ship’s top deck (Sept. 25), which offers a complimentary drink, live entertainment and light food in addition to the tour.

Stop for a bite. For award-winning soul food, try Corinne’s Place, known for its family-owned sensibility and down-home ambiance. The vintage dining room is cozy, and the food speaks for itself: BBQ pork ribs, meat loaf, smothered chicken and fried porgy are options, plus sides like candied yams, mac-and-cheese, and okra, corn and tomatoes.

More info. camdencounty.com

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CAPE MAY POINT, CAPE MAY COUNTY

Our state’s southernmost tip is a wonderland for anyone who loves the outdoors. Cape May State Park offers 244 acres to walk, hike, bike, bird or photograph. From sandy dunes to saltwater marshes to sparse coastal forests, every part of the ecosystem has a chance to shine here—and the shortest trail can be walked entirely on a wheelchairaccessible raised footpath, so all can enjoy it. Though you can’t swim here because of underwater hazards, you can surf-fish with a New Jersey fishing license and picnic to your heart’s content. Also consider stopping by the Cape May Lighthouse—2.5 million visitors have climbed its 199 spiral steps since it opened in the late 1980s. The view is breathtaking, overlooking both the Delaware Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. For an even more special experience, join one of the Full Moon Lighthouse Climbs, offered monthly through November, and see the landscape and water bathed in moonlight.

Stop for a bite. Super-fresh seafood and outdoor, waterside dining options are the name of the game here. The Lobster House has been open for four generations—try its impressive raw bar, including clams, oysters and a house-special crab soup, all served in an authentic, waterfront boathouse dining room. The main dining room has a spread of the freshest seafood options available, plus prime-rib and (dare we spoil the mood?)

New York strip steaks.

More info. capemay.com —Kirsten Meehan

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TASTES

An Apple A Day Fall’s favorite fruit takes center stage with these seasonal dishes.

CHICKEN APPLE SKILLET Yields 6 servings INGREDIENTS n 2 Tbs. olive oil, divided n 2 Tbs. unsalted butter, divided n 2 medium sweet-crisp apples, cored and cut into ½-inch thick slices (such as Fuji, Gala or Braeburn) n 1 onion, thinly sliced n 1 tsp. kosher salt, divided n 6 boneless skinless chicken thighs, or 4 (6- to 8-oz.) boneless, skinless chicken breasts n ¼ tsp. black pepper, freshly ground n ¼ tsp. granulated garlic powder n ²/³ cup chicken stock n 2 tsp. brown sugar n 4 Tbs. heavy cream n ¼ tsp. apple cider vinegar n chopped chives, for garnish

DIRECTIONS Heat a large 12-inch skillet over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter along with the onion and ¼ teaspoon salt. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Add the apple and cook 2 more minutes, stirring occasionally.

Carefully remove the apple and onion mixture to a bowl and set aside. To the same pan, add the remaining 1 tablespoon butter and 1 tablespoon olive oil and heat over medium heat.

Sprinkle the chicken on all sides with ¼ teaspoon salt, garlic powder and black pepper. Cook until lightly browned, about 2 minutes per side.

Add the apple-onion mixture back to the pan along with the chicken stock and brown sugar, scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Reduce heat to medium low, cover and cook until the chicken reaches 160°F, about 8-12 minutes.

Remove the chicken to a cutting board and allow to rest for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, add the cream to the pan and cook until the sauce has thickened slightly, about 2 minutes. Stir in the vinegar and taste, adjusting the seasoning to taste. Serve the chicken with the sauce spooned over top, sprinkled with chives if desired.

“What a delicious recipe, filled with so many great fall flavors! I recommend using boneless, skinless chicken breast in place of chicken thighs in addition to opting for olive oil in place of butter to save on cholesterol and saturated fat. Olive oil is a healthy fat, rich with omega-3 fatty acids that support healthy cholesterol levels.”

— Ashley Kravitz, registered dietitian, Ashley Kravitz Health, Freehold MONMOUTHMAG.COM

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TASTES

SAVORY APPLE THYME TART Yields 2 servings INGREDIENTS n 1 batch store bought or homemade pie dough (1 roll of store bought pie dough is enough for two individual 6-inch tarts) n 1 Tbs. unsalted butter n 1 Tbs. olive oil n 1 small yellow onion sliced into thin rings n ½ cup crème fraîche n 1 tsp. Dijon mustard n 1 cup Gruyere cheese, shredded n ½ Tbs. fresh thyme leaves, chopped, plus more for garnish n 1 apple, cored and thinly sliced n salt and freshly ground pepper

DIRECTIONS On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough and press into two six-inch tart pans, trimming off excess. Refrigerate until firm, about 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 375°F. Line the dough with parchment paper and top with pie weights or dried beans. Bake for 20 minutes. Remove the parchment and weights. Continue baking until the crust is golden brown and crisp, about 10 minutes more.

Transfer tart pans to a wire rack and let cool slightly. Reduce the oven temperature to 350°F. Meanwhile, make the filling: In a skillet over medium heat, melt the butter with the olive oil and swirl the pan to combine. Add the onions and cook until lightly browned and starting to caramelize, about 8 minutes per side. Remove from heat.

In a small bowl, stir together the crème fraîche and mustard and spread evenly over the crust. Sprinkle with half of the cheese and the thyme. Arrange the apple slices and onions on top. Sprinkle with the remaining cheese and season with salt and pepper.

Bake on the top oven rack until the pastry is golden and the cheese is melted, about 15 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes, then garnish with thyme, cut into slices and serve.

“For a lower-calorie version of this recipe, I suggest trying a crustless version. It would include all the ingredients of the filling, minus the more calorie-dense pie crust. Another option would be to create your own pie crust, using almond flour in place of regular white flour and olive oil in place of butter.”

—Ashley Kravitz, registered dietitian, Ashley Kravitz Health, Freehold

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BAR TAB

Fall For The Flavor

This sweet and spiced sip brings the orchard to your glass— just in time for sweater weather.

RED APPLE CIDER SANGRIA Makes: 4 servings

INGREDIENTS n 3 apples, sliced n 4 cinnamon sticks n 1 bottle (about 24 fl. oz.) pinot noir, chilled n 2 cups cold apple cider n 1/2 cup grand marnier liqueur n 3 Tbs. pure maple syrup For the rim n 3 Tbs. brown sugar n 1 tsp. cinnamon n 1 orange wedge DIRECTIONS In the bottom of a pitcher, add the apple slices and cinnamon sticks. Pour in the wine, apple cider, grand marnier and maple syrup. Stir to mix. Place in the fridge for 30 minutes to bring everything together.

To serve, mix together the brown sugar and cinnamon on a plate. Rim the glasses with an orange wedge and dip in the cinnamon sugar. Fill the glasses with ice and pour the sangria over top, being sure to get some of the fruit in the glass.

RECIPE COURTESY OF HOWSWEETEATS.COM

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2025 F A C E S A Showcase of Innovative Businesses Around

Monmouth County Special Promotion

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2025 F A C E S THE FACE OF

PET CARE

SHELLY LEIBOWITZ, OWNER GREENLEAF PET RESORT

1602 Route 35, Oakhurst, NJ 07755 | 732.272.0800 23 Burnt Tavern Road, Millstone Township, NJ 08510 | 609.259.1500 www.greenleafpetresort.com SHELLY LEIBOWITZ HAS WHAT MANY WOULD CALL THE BEST JOB IN THE WORLD as the owner of Greenleaf Pet Resort. A renowned professional dog trainer and behaviorist for over 40 years, Shelly founded Greenleaf in response to a growing demand – not just for expert training, but also for overnight boarding, grooming, daycare and behavioral support. Shelly’s passion for dogs began in childhood. Growing up in the city made it challenging to have a dog of his own, so he started walking dogs for neighbors and spent summers working in local kennels. He quickly formed deep bonds with each furry companion and discovered how much he loved connecting with and caring for canines sparking a lifelong calling. Shelly went on to study under top trainers in the U.S. and Europe developing a comprehensive understanding of the science and art of dog behaviors and training techniques.

At Greenleaf, dogs are family. The trusted team provides round-the-clock care, personalized attention and plenty of love. The focus is on your dog’s total well-being – body, mind and heart. Dogs enjoy spacious suites, playtime, swimming, enrichment activities and even transportation services. Training programs are tailored to each dog and rooted in Shelly’s philosophy of earning respect and control through kindness using praise, patience and play to build confidence and trust. Every dog is known, understood and celebrated.

Shelly’s career is marked with exceptional highlights from training beloved family companions to highly skilled K9 law enforcement dogs and even Bat Dogs for professional baseball teams. But what matters most to him is simple: creating a safe, enriching space where dogs can thrive and pet parents feel at ease. “People tell us they’re finally taking a vacation because they trust us with their dog – that means everything,” he says. The Greenleaf motto says it best….Dogs Love Us Because We Love Dogs!

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Trenton Thunder Bat Dog, Dash

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2025 F A C E S THE FACES OF

WELL-ROUNDED AND PASSIONATE LEARNERS

DR. JOHN GRIFFITH, HEAD OF SCHOOL RANNEY SCHOOL 235 Hope Rd., Tinton Falls, NJ 07724 732.542.4777 | www.ranneyschool.org

INNOVATIVE CURRICULUM AND ROBUST STUDENT LIFE OFFERINGS allow students at Ranney to engage in a wide breadth, and depth, of activities. Students are encouraged to take advantage of all Ranney has to offer while they explore emerging talents and interests.

There are a myriad of opportunities for students to take on leadership roles, present to faculty and peers, and participate in programs that develop leadership as a skill. Ranney offers many activities that achieve at high levels, giving students the ability to have incredible experiences while participating in all of their passions. The performing arts department showed off their theatrical prowess winning seven Basie Awards for the productions of “She Kills Monsters” and “Mean Girls” this year. The boys’ golf team won the state title in the spring. All three Middle School ensembles - band, chorus, and orchestra - earned superior ratings at the High Note Festival, and there were many visual arts students and creative writing authors who received Scholastic Art and Writing Awards this year. Through co-curricular activities, students not only develop their skills and talents but also learn collaboration, resilience, organization, creativity, hard work, and other life skills. We are fortunate that, even in our small school setting, students don’t need to choose just one area to explore.

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2025 F A C E S THE FACE OF

LUXURY REAL ESTATE

PASCALE COPPOLA, SALES ASSOCIATE HERITAGE HOUSE | SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY

38 West Main St., Holmdel, NJ 07733 I O: 732.946.9200 I C: 908.902.0404 www.pascalecoppola.com I pascale@pascalecoppola.com AS THE #1 AGENT IN COLTS NECK, #5 IN MONMOUTH COUNTY, AND #9 IN NEW JERSEY, Pascale Coppola has built a reputation for delivering fast, consistent results with a personal touch. Backed by nearly two decades of experience and over $67 million in sales in 2024 alone, she’s a powerful force in Monmouth and Ocean County real estate.

Known for her tireless work ethic and intuitive client care, Pascale guides buyers and sellers with unwavering commitment—negotiating every deal with their best interests in mind. Whether she’s hosting open houses, staging a property, or helping clients navigate new legislation like New Jersey’s updated mansion tax, she brings knowledge, empathy, and hustle to every step of the process.

Her expertise spans luxury estates, family homes, and investment properties, and she works full-time—often nights and weekends—to meet her clients’ needs. A trusted name in the industry, Pascale also maintains strong relationships with appraisers, lenders, and industry professionals to support seamless transactions.

With strong leadership from Heritage House Sotheby’s International Realty and a global brand behind her, Pascale remains focused on what matters most: earning trust, delivering results, and helping her clients achieve their goals.

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8/15/25 9:07 AM

2025 F A C E S THE FACES OF

DISEASE SPECIFIC REHABILITATION IN THE ACUTE REHABILITATION SETTING

JULIA MARRONE, EMILY SCOTTO, SIRI MYHRE, MICHELE CALELLO, KRISTEN BYRNE, CHRISTY CLIFFORD, MARJORIE TORON, DAVID HALBERT, GABRIELLE VAN MATER, LIANZA GABOR (NOT PICTURED: ALANA PULLEN AND NICHOLAS LUCA) ENCOMPASS HEALTH REHABILITATION HOSPITAL OF TINTON FALLS

2 Center Plaza, Tinton Falls, NJ 07724 | 732.460.5320 | www.encompasshealth.com/locations/tinton-falls-rehab AT ENCOMPASS HEALTH REHABILITATION HOSPITAL OF TINTON FALLS, PATIENTS RECEIVE EXPERT, COMPASSIONATE CARE designed to restore independence and improve quality of life. With over two decades of service, the hospital specializes in acute inpatient rehabilitation, offering patients at least three hours a day of physical, occupational, and speech therapy, a minimum of five days a week.

What truly sets Encompass Health apart is its commitment to disease-specific programs, each Joint Commission Certified, for stroke, brain injury, amputation, Parkinson’s disease, pulmonary conditions, and cardiac rehabilitation. These programs are led by a skilled, interdisciplinary team of therapists, nurses, physicians, and specialists who work closely with patients and their families.

Every patient’s journey is guided by a customized plan rooted in evidence-based care, with the goal of returning them to their community with greater functional independence. Recognized with the Encompass Health President’s Circle and Overall Quality Awards in 2024, the Tinton Falls location leads with empathy, integrity, and collaboration.

With a state-of-the-art therapy gym, 24/7 care, and a warm, supportive environment, Encompass Health is proud to be a trusted resource for recovery—where every success starts with a dedicated team and a patient-first philosophy.

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8/14/25 9:08 AM

2025 F A C E S THE FACES OF

TRADITION – OVER 100 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE

THE MCDONALD FAMILY DELICIOUS ORCHARDS

320 Route 34 South, Colts Neck, NJ 07722 | 732.462.1989 | www.deliciousorchardsnj.com FOR OVER A CENTURY, DELICIOUS ORCHARDS HAS BEEN A CHERISHED DESTINATION in Colts Neck—but it’s the McDonald Family who gave the country market its heart. What began as a roadside apple stand is now a 60,000-square-foot hub for scratch-made baked goods, pristine produce, and specialty groceries. Bill McDonald, who started stocking produce in the 1970s, now runs the familyowned business with his wife Linda, their four children, and a growing crew of grandchildren.

Customer favorites like fresh apple cider donuts, seasonal pies, and house-baked cookies continue to headline, while new additions— including the espresso bar and expanded juice area—keep the experience fresh. This fall, families can enjoy lunch on the patio at the Cider Café, complete with orchard views and the return of the famous Apple Cider Slush.

With nearly 250 employees and many staffers having worked there for decades, Delicious Orchards isn’t just family-run—it’s familygrown. The McDonalds have created a one-of-a-kind culture where staff, vendors, and customers feel like part of something bigger.

Whether you’re stopping by for your weekly favorites or shipping a gift across the country, every visit to D.O. feels like coming home.

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8/18/25 8:59 AM

2025 F A C E S THE FACES OF

IMPLANT DENTISTRY

ANTHONY SALLUSTIO, D.D.S., ASHLEY AZIZIAN, D.D.S.

1300 Allenhurst Ave., Ocean, NJ 07712 | 732.531.4046 18 Madison Ave., Madison, NJ 07940 | 973.210.4872 | www.smilesbyspecialistsnj.com “YOU DESERVE A SPECIALIST,” SAYS DR. ANTHONY SALLUSTIO, when it comes to enhancing your smile. Known for his excellence in Prosthodontics and Maxillofacial prosthetics, Dr. Sallustio has teamed with Dr. Ashley Azizian merging their unique combination of skills with digital impression technology to create esthetic, comfortable, and functional results. With a focus on implants, crowns, bridges, and porcelain veneers, Dr. Sallustio and Dr. Azizian help patients regain confidence in their smile.

Patients appreciate the support by a well-trained, dedicated staff and in-house lab technicians. The doctors also provide life-changing treatments, including same-day All-on-4 implants and bridges, and prosthetics for oral cancer, trauma, and congenital defects, including cleft lip and palate. Dr. Sallustio also recognizes the impact of education and dedicates his time lecturing on a national circuit where he shares his expertise on the latest procedures and technologies in order to contribute to the highest standards and methodologies in his industry.

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8/14/25 1:02 PM

2025 F A C E S THE FACE OF

JOY IN PLASTIC SURGERY DR. JOHN TAYLOR ALLURE PLASTIC SURGERY CENTER LLC TWO RIVERS SURGERY CENTER LLC 194 State Route 35 Red Bank, NJ 07701 732.483.1800 | www.allurenj.com

CELEBRATING 30 YEARS IN PRACTICE, Dr. John Taylor of Allure Plastic Surgery is known for his skillful artistry, surgical precision, and deeply human approach to cosmetic care. A board-certified plastic surgeon with degrees from MIT and the University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Taylor’s path has always been rooted in both science and empathy.

What sets him apart? “I don’t think about how to squeeze more money out of you — I think about how to squeeze more joy into you,” he says. Known for honesty and restraint, Dr. Taylor often says no to procedures he believes aren’t in the patient’s best interest — and clients trust him for it.

His Red Bank-based practice features an on-site, accredited surgery center offering privacy, continuity, and exceptional care. While trends push patients toward social media-driven looks, Dr. Taylor gently redirects the focus: helping patients become better versions of themselves, not someone else. Besides his busy surgical schedule, he also is an active volunteer with the Atlantic Highlands youth group.

This fall, Allure will begin offering holistic wellness memberships and expanded peri-operative care that integrates nutrition, fitness, and recovery support — a forward-thinking approach to aesthetic medicine that reflects Dr. Taylor’s core belief: people over profit, always.

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8/13/25 8:58 AM

2025 F A C E S THE FACES OF

VETERINARY EXCELLENCE

MARTA COLON, MBA, MHA, HOSPITAL DIRECTOR ASSOCIATE MEDICAL DIRECTORS: MARYANNE ANASTASIO, DVM, DAVID S. CONWAY, DVM, DACVECC, ANNA MASSEY, VMD, CARL D. SAMMARCO, BVSc, MRCVS, DACVIM (CARDIOLOGY) RED BANK VETERINARY HOSPITAL 100 Schulz Drive, Red Bank, NJ 07701 | 732.747.3636 | www.redbankvet.com

FOR OVER 40 YEARS, RED BANK VETERINARY HOSPITAL HAS BEEN A TRUSTED PART of the Monmouth County community, caring for pets as if they were their own. In May 2024, they began a new chapter, moving into a 100,000 SF state-of-the-art facility built with the same heart and dedication that has guided them for four decades.

This four-story hospital was designed with comfort and healing in mind. With 51 spacious exam rooms, 12 advanced surgical suites, a dedicated ICU and separate waiting areas for dogs and cats, every detail supports the well-being of patients. With powerful diagnostic tools like CT, MRI and PET scan technology, pets have the best chance at long, healthy lives.

The compassionate team offers more than 16 services from General Practice/Wellness and 24/7 emergency care to specialties like Cardiology, Neurology, Surgery, Physical Rehabilitation and even Avian & Exotic care. But more than the hospital’s technology or size, it’s the people who make this place special – veterinarians, technicians and staff united by a shared love for animals and the people who love them. At Red Bank Veterinary Hospital, their passion and promise is to the health, comfort and safety of your beloved pets.

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8/18/25 8:55 AM

2025 F A C E S THE FACE OF

A TRUSTED PARTNER

DOREEN DEMARCO, BROKER ASSOCIATE BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOMESERVICES FOX & ROACH

963 Holmdel Rd., Holmdel NJ 07733 | C: 732.241.5015 | doreen.demarco@foxroach.com DOREEN DEMARCO BELIEVES THAT SO MUCH ABOUT BEING A GOOD REALTOR comes down to building deep and trusted relationships. That is why she made the important decision to remain a solo agent allowing her to provide more personalized and attentive service to her clients, colleagues and her community. Doreen knows the impact it makes when the person whose name appears on every communication is the one actively involved in each step of the process and personally invested in a client’s success.

Doreen is repeatedly described as the ultimate professional whose experience, dedication and guidance make every aspect of a real estate transaction seamless. She brings a sense of joy, balance and compassion to each interface, always making sure her clients are confident and comfortable at every step of the process. Doreen takes pride in the unsolicited recognition she receives at all ends of the negotiation table.

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9/9/25 9:59 AM

2025 F A C E S THE FACE OF

PERSONALIZED MEDICINE

MICHAEL P. CARSON, MD, FACP CARSON INTERNAL MEDICINE

2640 Highway 70, Brielle Hills #10A, Manasquan, NJ 08736 | 732.359.2790 www.michaelcarsonmd.com As a leader, researcher, and Full Professor, Dr. Michael Carson left a high-volume corporate setting in 2024 to launch a concierge medicine practice that truly reflects his vision for the future of patientcentered care. A board-certified internist who completed a Fellowship in Women’s Health at Brown University and over 20 years of experience, he recognized the growing need for a more personalized, attentive healthcare experience.

Appointments are never rushed. Dr. Carson sets aside a full hour for new visits/annual exams, and 30 minutes for follow-ups. That time gives him the ability to listen, gain an understanding of each person’s health, have real conversations, educate and provide thorough answers, and for patients to process information and leave with a clear understanding of their health without feeling hurried. His own enthusiasm for this model is often mirrored by patients who describe a heightened sense of partnership.

Each patient attends a CHAMP session using evidence-based tools, including body composition analysis, to develop a personalized wellness plan. Every call is answered by Michele, our forward-thinking office manager, or Dr. Carson himself. With a small, attentive team and a focus on lasting relationships, Carson Internal Medicine offers an accessible and truly individualized healthcare experience.

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8/13/25 1:03 PM

2025 F A C E S THE FACES OF

CUSTOM STONE

JIM WINGARD, OWNER NJ GRAVEL & SAND COMPANY

1661 Hwy 34 South, Wall, NJ 07719 I 732.938.5252 I www.njgravelsand.com WITH NEARLY 90 YEARS IN BUSINESS AND FOUR GENERATIONS OF FAMILY LEADERSHIP, NJ Gravel & Sand Company has become a go-to destination for everything from crushed seashells to reclaimed antique sidewalk slabs. Spanning 23 acres in Wall, NJ, the company is known for its extensive selection, newly updated displays, and custom stone fabrication shop. Whether you're a homeowner, contractor, or landscaper, you'll find premium materials like natural stone, porcelain pavers, and decorative gravel—available to both consumers and businesses.

Customer service, consistency, and reliability are at the core of the company’s success. A trusted industry leader, NJ Gravel & Sand stays ahead of trends with cutting-edge technology like digital templating for freeform pools. Their popular Autumn paver promotions and closeout section offer valuable savings throughout the year.

The company is also deeply committed to giving back, supporting organizations like Tunnel to Towers, the Ashley Lauren Cancer Foundation, the Humane Society, and local schools. On October 19, they’ll participate in the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk in Point Pleasant with a big company-wide team. From sourcing to service, their legacy is built on quality and community.

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8/5/25 9:52 AM

2025 F A C E S THE FACE OF

COSMETIC DENTISTRY

DR. ANDREW MORRIS, DDS SPRING LAKE DENTAL CARE

310 Morris Avenue, Spring Lake, NJ 07762 I 732.449.5666 | IG:springlakedentalcare l www.springlakesmiles.com WITH A CALM DEMEANOR AND A PATIENT-FIRST PHILOSOPHY, Dr. Andrew Morris is redefining the dental experience. A lifelong Jersey Shore resident and NYU College of Dentistry graduate, Dr. Morris completed his residency at Monmouth Medical Center and recently became the new owner of Spring Lake Dental Care—continuing the legacy of a beloved community practice.

Patients appreciate his thoughtful, thorough approach and personalized care. Whether it’s porcelain veneers, Invisalign, full mouth rehabilitation, or the latest in teeth whitening, Dr. Morris uses advanced technology like digital scanners and diode lasers to deliver high-quality results. For those with dental anxiety, options like oral conscious sedation make treatment more comfortable.

Alongside longtime team members and a Board-Certified periodontist, Dr. Morris provides comprehensive dentistry in a warm, welcoming setting where relationships matter. Many patients have been with the practice for years—and often bring their entire families.

Whether helping someone regain confidence in their smile or simply easing fears of the dental chair, Dr. Morris focuses on restoring health while making each visit feel relaxed and reassuring.

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8/1/25 11:14 AM

THE FACE OF

EDUCATION AND EMPOWERMENT

THERESA KIERNAN, HEAD OF SCHOOL TRINITY HALL

101 Corregidor Road, Tinton Falls, NJ 07724 I 732.291.1297 I www.trinityhallnj.org

2025 F A C E S

TRINITY HALL, AN ALL-GIRLS COLLEGE PREPARATORY SCHOOL IN MONMOUTH COUNTY, educates and empowers young women in the Catholic tradition. Grounded in the core values of leadership, respect, perseverance, and faith, Trinity Hall prepares students to reach their full potential as they embrace their place in the world.

The all-honors academic curriculum is grounded in research and designed for how girls learn best. Each student benefits from small class sizes, a four-year engineering program, and immersive academic experiences. With award-winning arts and athletics programs, a vibrant student body, and enriching extracurricular activities, students discover their unique talents and pursue their passions.

Trinity Hall continues to grow to provide more opportunities for girls. Opening in Fall 2025, their new academic wing and expanded community space will feature STEM labs, arts spaces, and a student wellness suite. These additions will elevate the experience of every Trinity Hall student, empowering them to grow into confident, compassionate leaders. Attend an Open House on October 4 or November 5 to learn more about Trinity Hall.

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8/15/25 9:12 AM

2025 F A C E S

THE FACE OF

BESPOKE REAL ESTATE

RANKA VUCETIC CHRISTIE’S INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE GROUP

756 River Road, Fair Haven, NJ 07704 | C: 732.610.7010 www.christiesrealestategroup.com/nnj | ranka.vucetic@gmail.com WITH 27 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE, award-winning real estate professional Ranka Vucetic is known for her bespoke approach—offering highly personalized service and thoughtful strategy tailored to each home and client. She doesn’t believe in one-size-fits-all solutions; every listing is approached with care, creativity, and attention to detail, from marketing to presentation.

Ranka has built lasting relationships that span generations, often working with the children and relatives of past clients—families who trust her insight, honesty, and instincts. Her clients rely on her not just for transactions, but for sound judgment and experienced guidance throughout the entire buying or selling process.

Backed by the elevated branding of Christie’s International Real Estate Group, Ranka delivers service that is refined, strategic, and rooted in genuine care for her clients’ goals. Whether she’s advising on appliances, environmental considerations, sharing insight on school districts or local lifestyle, or tapping into her trusted network of professionals, every step is handled with dedication and expertise Her approach redefines what it means to deliver truly bespoke real estate service—elevated, personal, and grounded in decades of trust and excellence.

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8/6/25 9:16 AM

2025 F A C E S

THE FACES OF

GARDENS & GIFTS

JANE DECANIO, OWNER, TEDDI DECANIO, MANAGER SHORE RIVER GARDENS

1441 Lakewood Road, Manasquan, NJ 08736 | 732.962.3162 | shorerivergardens.com FOR YEARS, JANE DECANIO HAD HER EYE ON A CHARMING NURSERY along Highway 34. When it finally went up for sale, she jumped at the chance to bring her dream to life...and Shore River Gardens was born! Located a stone’s throw from the beaches of Manasquan, this beautiful garden and home store has become a plant-lover’s destination at the Jersey Shore.

With over 30 years in the industry, Jane brings gardeners her wealth of knowledge and a passion for plants and flowers. Now joined by her daughter, Teddi, Shore River Gardens is a true family-owned and operated business. With a hand-picked staff of gardening experts they’ve known for years, this team is the best of the best!

At Shore River Gardens, you’ll find a great variety of quality annuals, perennials and nursery plants, and unique seasonal and holiday gifts.

There’s also a full-service florist and expert potters who will go to your home for custom planting. Visitors will love the pop-up vendors including an artisan pizza baker, and a cozy coffee vendor, with more on the horizon. With unmatched service, beautiful blooms and a welcoming vibe, Shore River Gardens is more than a garden center. It’s where plants and community blossom!

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8/12/25 1:53 PM

2025 F A C E S THE FACES OF

AN EDUCATION-FIRST, COMMUNITY-MINDED, CANNABIS DISPENSARY

CARYN COHEN, ANDY ZEITLIN CANOPY CROSSROAD

9 West St., Red Bank, NJ 07701 | 732.438.5880 www.canopycrossroad.com CANOPY CROSSROAD IS THE VISION OF CARYN COHEN AND ANDY ZEITLIN, longtime Red Bank residents dedicated to transforming the cannabis experience. Caryn’s journey began as a medical marijuana patient, where she witnessed firsthand the healing benefits of cannabis therapy in managing her ulcerative colitis and rheumatoid arthritis. Motivated to share this knowledge and break down the stigma around cannabis, she partnered with Andy, a chemist with decades of experience developing life-changing pharmaceuticals in oncology and neuroscience.

Together, they designed Canopy Crossroad as more than just a dispensary—it’s a wellness boutique focused on purposeful consumption.

The welcoming space combines Caryn’s passion for patient education with Andy’s scientific expertise, creating a stigma-free environment where customers feel empowered and informed.

Their team of “Canna Coaches” guides each visitor through selecting the right products, strains, and doses tailored to individual needs. With a strong commitment to community, Canopy Crossroad supports local artists, hosts educational events, and actively participates in Red Bank’s cultural scene. Caryn and Andy’s approach blends compassion, science, and personalized care—making Canopy Crossroad a trusted destination for cannabis wellness.

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7/30/25 10:45 AM

2025 F A C E S THE FACES OF

COMPASSIONATE PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY BRITNI KEARNS, D.M.D., JOCELYN JEFFRIES-BRUNO, D.D.S., FAAPD SYCAMORE SMILES PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY

1029 Sycamore Avenue Tinton Falls, NJ 07724 l 732.963.8680 | www.smilesonsycamore.com AT SYCAMORE SMILES PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY, DR. BRITNI KEARNS AND DR. JOCELYN JEFFRIES-BRUNO have created more than just a dental office—they’ve built a place where kids feel truly seen, safe, and empowered. With over a decade of experience working side by side and three years since founding their Tinton Falls practice, the duo has earned a reputation for compassionate, individualized care.

Their team is known for its patience, warmth, and joyful atmosphere that begins at the front desk and extends throughout every visit.

Drs. Kearns and Jeffries-Bruno are especially adept at treating children with special needs or dental anxiety, offering personalized, desensitizing visits that help each child grow comfortable in the dental chair.

Board-certified and award-winning, both doctors were recently honored as 2025 NJ Favorite Kids’ Docs, Jersey Choice Top Dentists, and Monmouth County Top Dentists. They’re also proud to be a reliable resource for families, offering non-invasive treatments and remaining available to their patients during emergencies—even on weekends.

As their practice grows, they’re thrilled to welcome two new doctors, Dr. Kristina Kerolus and Dr. Rohini Dhar, who share their commitment to excellence. With Sycamore Smiles, families can trust that their children’s oral health—and overall well-being—are in expert hands.

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8/13/25 1:01 PM

2025 F A C E S

THE FACES OF

HARD WORK FOR REAL RESULTS

BERNADETTE BARNETT & LISA PURDON, REALTOR ASSOCIATES COLDWELL BANKER REALTY

864 Highway 35, Middletown, NJ 07748 | 732.671.1000 | www.bernadettebarnett.com “THERE’S NO SECRET TO SUCCESS,” SAYS BERNADETTE BARNETT, a real estate professional with over two decades of experience in residential sales and rentals. Known for her responsiveness, honesty, and unmatched knowledge of Monmouth County, Bernadette brings experience, insight, and integrity to every transaction. Before returning to New Jersey, she lived in Hong Kong, California, Connecticut, and New York—giving her a personal understanding of the challenges families face when relocating. That global perspective, combined with a client-first mindset, helps her make every move smooth, informed, and low-stress.

Bernadette has earned 11 NJ Realtors® Circle of Excellence Platinum Awards and has been recognized among Real Trends’ America’s Best Real Estate Professionals. She credits her accomplishments to equal parts passion, preparation, and perseverance.

Lisa Purdon is a highly respected, award-winning real estate professional known for her integrity, honesty, and unwavering commitment to her clients. Now partnered at Coldwell Banker Realty, Bernadette and Lisa are building on their shared values and strong track records to provide personalized service and exceptional results to every client.

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8/12/25 10:25 AM

2025 F A C E S THE FACES OF

DECADES OF AWARD-WINNING LEGAL EXCELLENCE

BRIAN CHABAREK, ESQ., ELIZABETH TROTTIER, ESQ., MATT BLAINE, ESQ., BRIAN KEATTS, ESQ. THE LAW FIRM OF DAVISON EASTMAN MUÑOZ PAONE, P.A. BUSINESS & EMPLOYMENT LAW GROUP 100 Willow Brook Rd., Suite 100, Freehold, NJ 07728 | 680 Hooper Ave., Bldg. A, Suite 101, Toms River, NJ 08753 732.462.7170 | www.RespondLaw.com

SINCE 1988, FROM START-UPS TO ESTABLISHED ORGANIZATIONS, businesses across New Jersey rely on the Business & Employment Law Group of Davison Eastman Munoz Paone, P.A. The firm is comprised of 40+ attorneys and staff, all providing coordinated, creative, strategic legal services and solutions. Our experienced attorneys help entrepreneurs, executives, and business owners navigate the legal landscape – so they can focus on their business.

The firm serves its business clients as their legal partner, offering responsive support across every stage of the business lifecycle. The firm is civil trial certified, is proudly ranked by Best Lawyers® and has been listed among the United States’ Best Law Firms for fifteen (15) consecutive years.

Arbitration & Mediation • Business Contracts • Business Formation & Structuring • Business Law & Litigation • Commercial Real Estate & Land Use • Confidentiality Agreements • Digital Assets & Blockchain Law • Employment Law • Environmental Law • General Counsel • Community Association Management

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8/1/25 10:47 AM

2025 F A C E S THE FACE OF

MODERN PSYCHOTHERAPY

DR. DANA SPADA LEAF BY DR. DANA SPADA PSYCHOTHERAPY

Colts Neck | Little Silver | Sea Girt | Hazlet | 732.947.4777 | www.leafpsych.com TUCKED INTO THE QUIET CORNERS OF MONMOUTH COUNTY, LEAF Psychotherapy—founded by Dr. Dana Spada—is more than a therapy practice; it’s a place where transformation begins. LEAF offers holistic, deeply personalized therapy for adults, teens, and children, supporting clients through every stage of life. Designed to feel like sanctuaries, each office invites clients into a space where they can exhale and feel truly seen. From individual and couples therapy to family work, every session is rooted in presence, connection, and purpose. Blending timeless therapeutic wisdom with cutting-edge modalities, the clinicians at LEAF bring heart, skill, and soul to their work.

Whether you’re seeking clarity, healing, or simply someone to walk beside you through life’s complexities, there is someone here for you. The team is intentionally curated, ensuring that each therapist brings something unique, intuitive, and grounded to the work. The energy is calm, the spaces are beautiful, and the work is powerful. At LEAF, therapy is not just about feeling better— it’s about becoming more fully yourself.

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8/14/25 8:25 AM

2025 F A C E S THE FACES OF

ANIMAL CARE DR. KRISTINE MONTEKIO, DR. VICTORIA VILLAFANE MOSAIC ANIMAL HEALTH CENTER FAIR HAVEN

823 River Road, Fair Haven, NJ 07704 | 732.758.6558 | info@mosaicfairhaven.com | www.mosaicfairhaven.com AT MOSAIC ANIMAL HEALTH CENTER FAIR HAVEN, DR. KRISTINE MONTEKIO AND DR. VICTORIA VILLAFANE BRING A FRESH, compassionate approach to veterinary care. As doctor-owners who live locally, they’re not just caregivers—they’re part of the community they serve. The team at Mosaic offers full service veterinary care with a focus on whole-health outcomes and gentle, personalized treatment. From primary and preventative care to diagnostics, geriatric support, cold-laser therapy, surgeries and dentistry, every service is delivered with warmth and expertise. Known for their gentle approach with senior pets and compassionate end-of-life care, Mosaic has quickly become a trusted name in Fair Haven.

The newly built facility, opened three years ago, features state-of-the-art technology, calming exam rooms—including a dedicated feline space—and a comfort room for sensitive visits. The team prioritizes ongoing education and continuously evaluates the latest treatments and innovations to ensure top-tier care. Clients appreciate Mosaic’s extended hours, same-day appointments for urgent needs, and the genuine relationships the doctors build with each pet and pet-parent. As both practitioners and residents, Drs. Montekio and Villafane are committed to doing what’s best for their patients, their team, and the community—one tail wag (or purr) at a time.

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8/14/25 1:01 PM

2025 F A C E S THE FACE OF

NON-SURGICAL AND SURGICAL ENDODONTICS IRA J. ZOHN, DMD, FABIO G. APOLITO, DMD, ANTONETT M. THAI, DDS YELENA OSTROMETSKAYA, DDS, CHRISTOPHER PELLICANO, DDS ADVANCED ENDODONTIC ASSOCIATES, PA 1398 Highway 35, Ocean Township, NJ 07712 | 732.531.9200 303 West Main Street, Freehold, NJ 07728 | 732.462.4606 79 Oak Hill Road, Red Bank, NJ 07701 | 732.345.8090 | www.advancedendo.net

OVER THE SPAN OF FIVE DECADES, Advanced Endodontics grew from one location to three highly respected offices serving the tristate area conveniently located in Ocean, Freehold and Middletown townships. The team of five esteemed industry-leading endodontic specialists deliver unsurpassed service with compassion, professionalism and clinical excellence.

Advanced Endodontic Associates, a referral based practice, can accommodate all of your endodontic needs. With the philosophy that behind every tooth is a human being, painless treatment in a comfortable environment is the goal for every patient at every visit.

The doctors see patients five days a week by appointment and advocate a “COD” or “Come on Down” policy accommodating patients suffering from extreme tooth pain or other oral health related emergencies. The five doctors all agree that the success of the practice is due to the collaboration, teamwork and dedication of their talented and devoted staff.

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8/18/25 9:06 AM

2025 F A C E S THE FACE OF

HOLISTIC WEALTH MANAGEMENT NICHOLAS SERGIO, AIF®, CPFA® WEALTH ADVISOR & REGISTERED PRINCIPAL, RJFS, FOUNDER BANYAN WEALTH

11 Wharf Ave., C2, Red Bank, NJ 07701 732.747.8540 | www.banyanwealth.com NICHOLAS SERGIO IS THE FOUNDER AND MANAGING PARTNER OF BANYAN WEALTH, a boutique wealth management practice based in Red Bank. With 24 years of experience, Nicholas leads a dedicated team focused on personalized financial planning that prioritizes each client’s unique needs and goals. Unlike larger practices with a one-sizefits-all approach, Banyan Wealth offers a familyoriented atmosphere, blending expert guidance with a personal touch.

The independently owned practice is backed by the strength and resources of Raymond James, a national financial services company, giving clients the benefit of both customized care and institutional support.

Nicholas, who is also on the Raymond James Leadership Advisory Board, along with his team, provide comprehensive services including wealth management, estate planning, and tax strategies.

Their WHY Wealth Building Process™ centers on uncovering each client’s personal “why” to create a purpose-driven plan that balances present needs with future goals.

Beyond the office, Nicholas is deeply involved in his community, serving as President of the Marlboro Soccer Association, as well as on other 501(c)(3) nonprofit boards. Looking ahead, Banyan Wealth plans to expand its presence in the Monmouth County area, continuing to deliver tailored wealth solutions with enthusiasm, passion, and integrity.

Raymond James and its advisors do not offer tax or legal advice. You should discuss any tax or legal matters with the appropriate professional.

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8/15/25 8:28 AM

2025 F A C E S THE FACE OF

YOUR COASTAL CONCIERGE

KERRY O’BRIEN O’BRIEN REALTY

37 Beach Rd., Monmouth Beach, NJ 07750 O: 732.229.3532 | C: 917.567.0684 www.kerrinobrien.com kerrinob@gmail.com KERRIN “KERRY” O’BRIEN BRINGS A FULL-SERVICE, hands-on approach to every transaction, backed by nearly a decade of success with the powerhouse, family-owned firm she cofounded with her wife, Tammy O’Brien. Known as Monmouth County’s #1 waterfront agent and one of the top producers in New Jersey, Kerry treats every listing like a headline property. Her strategy is never one-size-fits-all—each home benefits from a custom marketing plan, in-house creative team, and a deep understanding of the local market.

With over 200 agents and eight offices across the region—including the newest in Asbury Park— O’Brien Realty has become a trusted name across residential, multi-unit, and commercial real estate.

Kerry also offers clients access to seamless in-house services like O’Brien Title, O’Brien Moving, and O’Brien Concierge.

Her roots in Monmouth Beach run deep, and her dedication extends far beyond real estate. Kerry serves on the boards of Monmouth Medical, Tigger Stavola Foundation, and the Visiting Nurse Association, and supports causes like Shore to Help, PBA, and the SPCA. In Fall 2025, she’ll launch a podcast exploring real estate, resilience, and results—another step in redefining what it means to deliver exceptional client service at every stage.

From first showing to final signature—and everything in between—O’Brien delivers ease, excellence, and expertise.

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2025 F A C E S THE FACES OF

KITCHENS & BATHS

WOODHAVEN DESIGN CENTER

17 Sweetmans Ln., Manalapan Township, NJ 07726 | 845 Broad St., Shrewsbury, NJ 07702 200 James St., Lakewood, NJ 08701 | 725 E. Bay Ave., Manahawkin, NJ 08050 1303 Richmond Ave., Point Pleasant, NJ 08742 | 732.795.6200 (Design Center) | www.woodhavenlumber.com THE FAMILY-OWNED COMPANY OFFERS A WIDE RANGE OF DESIGN AND INSTALLATION SERVICES—including kitchens, baths, custom closets, stair systems, flooring, custom mouldings, windows, doors, and more. With the recent addition of tile to their offerings, homeowners can now complete many aspects of their home projects with confidence and ease. With five New Jersey locations, Woodhaven makes it simple to schedule a consultation close to home. To provide the best experience, appointments are recommended so you can spend dedicated time with a designer who understands your vision and helps you select the perfect products for your space.

The expert team supports homeowners with deep knowledge across design, installation, and structural planning—ensuring every detail is handled with care.

Woodhaven’s commitment to quality goes beyond products; it’s reflected in their attentive service and honest advice. Whether it’s selecting cabinetry, choosing flooring, or planning custom millwork, the team guides clients through every step, making the process smooth and enjoyable. Rooted in integrity, service, and craftsmanship, Woodhaven is proud to support local causes across Monmouth and Ocean counties—and even prouder to help turn houses into homes.

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2025 F A C E S

THE FACES OF

EXCELLENCE IN ORTHODONTIC CARE

PATRICK T. CUOZZO, DDS, PA, JAMES DODD, DDS CUOZZO ORTHODONTICS

526 Washington Blvd., Sea Girt, NJ 08750 | 4 Swimming River Rd., Lincroft, NJ 07738 732.449.5444 | www.4straightteeth.com FOR OVER 50 YEARS, CUOZZO ORTHODONTICS HAS BEEN A TRUSTED NAME in Monmouth County, offering expert orthodontic care with a focus on honesty, efficiency, and clinical excellence. Dr. Patrick Cuozzo, a board-certified orthodontist and Clinical Professor at the University of Pennsylvania, carries forward his family’s legacy with a deep commitment to both innovation and personalized care.

Cuozzo Orthodontics serves patients of all ages with cutting-edge technology like digital intraoral scanning, low-radiation digital imaging, and CBCT diagnostics—ensuring a comfortable, accurate experience. From braces to Invisalign® and early interceptive treatment, each plan is tailored to create healthy, lasting smiles. Dr. Cuozzo’s passion extends beyond the office. He volunteers with Remote Area Medical, providing dental care to underserved communities, and supports aquaponic sustainability projects in Africa through Connect Global.

The practice’s mission is simple: provide the finest orthodontic experience. Patients consistently describe Dr. Cuozzo and his team as respectful, punctual, and genuinely caring—a reflection of the values that have kept this family-owned practice at the forefront of orthodontic care for more than five decades. Complimentary consultations are always available to new patients ready to take the first step toward a confident smile.

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2025 F A C E S THE FACE OF

TODAY’S BUTCHER SHOP

KYLE POWELL, OWNER MONMOUTH MEATS

112 Monmouth St., Red Bank, NJ 07701 I 732.741.5292 I www.monmouthmeats.com MONMOUTH MEATS HAS BEEN A TRUSTED PART OF RED BANK FOR OVER 60 YEARS, and now owner Kyle Powell is carrying that tradition forward with a focus on quality, service, and community. A lifelong local and experienced butcher, Powell officially took over the shop in June of this year, after decades in the industry—starting at just 12 years old at a well known shop across town.

Monmouth Meats is best known for its prime steaks, custom-cut meats, house-marinated selections, and warm, old-school butcher shop experience. While its focus is on familiar favorites, the shop also offers specialty game like bison and venison. Everything is cut to order, never pre-packaged, with options tailored to each customer’s needs. The shop also offers family meat plans, barbecue packages, catering, and daily lunch specials.

The store provides local delivery, handled directly by the Monmouth Meats team to ensure quality and care with every order.

With a 4.9-star Google rating, customers regularly praise its spotless shop, friendly faces, and unmatched service.

For Powell, it’s about more than selling meat—it’s about building relationships and making sure everyone feels like family the moment they walk through the door.

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2025 F A C E S THE FACES OF

NEXT-LEVEL PREVENTATIVE CARE & PRECISION MEDICINE MAGGIE & CHRISTOPHER VASTO RX RELEAF

158 First Ave Suite 1, Atlantic Highlands, NJ 07716 | 732.291.0000 | www.rxreleaf.net AT RX RELEAF, MAGGIE AND CHRISTOPHER VASTO ARE REDEFINING, what modern healthcare looks and feels like. Their mission: Prevention, not intervention. Founded by Maggie in 2021 and now thriving in Atlantic Highlands, Rx ReLeaf blends the warmth of a family-run practice with the innovation of a cutting-edge medical platform.

Clients turn to Rx ReLeaf for concierge diagnostics, hormone optimization, peptide therapy, IV infusions, mental health support, and advanced lab testing—all under one welcoming roof. The Vastos believe that feeling “off” shouldn’t be normalized, and that medicine should empower people, not overwhelm them.

Their practice has become a sanctuary for those seeking clarity, energy, and lasting wellness. From fascia-focused massage to medicalgrade red light therapy, every service is personalized and results-driven. Even the space—complete with a living moss wall—feels more like a retreat than a clinic.

With new partnerships including Persona Nutrition, Nutrisense, and Galleri Cancer Screening, Rx ReLeaf is expanding its impact and offering clients even more integrative options. Yet Maggie and Christopher remain grounded in what started it all: compassion, integrity, and personalized care that begins before symptoms appear. At Rx ReLeaf, the future of medicine is human, hopeful, and here.

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2025 F A C E S THE FACE OF

BALANCING BEAUTY, BUSINESS & BIG DREAMS ONE CLIENT AT A TIME KATRINA ST. ONGE MOSAIC WELLNESS AND BEAUTY

1201 Sycamore Avenue, Tinton Falls, NJ 07724 | 732.542.7680 410 Amboy Avenue, Woodbridge, NJ 07095 | 732.669.9880 | mosaicwellnessbeauty.com IN A WORLD THAT MOVES TOO FAST, Mosaic Wellness and Beauty offers a safe place to slow down, relax and get pampered. With two luxury locations in Monmouth and Middlesex counties, this full-service Salon and Spa is more than just a beauty destination—it’s a sanctuary where transformation begins from the inside out.

Founded on the belief that “The Creation of Beauty Comes from Variety of Pieces,” Mosaic embraces the individuality behind every guest. Whether it’s a new haircut, fresh manicure, glowing skin, or just a moment to feel like yourself again, every service at Mosaic is delivered with intention and care. But for the founder Katrina, the journey doesn’t end with beauty. As a licensed real estate agent, she brings the same warmth and integrity to help families find their perfect home.

Balancing entrepreneurship, Real Estate, and community work may seem like a lot to juggle—but for Katrina, it’s all connected.

Through beauty, homeownership and hands-on local involvement, helping people feel seen, supported and empowered is what drives her every day.

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2025 F A C E S THE FACE OF

BACKYARD TRANSFORMATION & TRUSTED SERVICE STEVEN METZ & MICHAEL METZ CENTRAL JERSEY POOLS

4235 US Highway Route 9 North, Freehold, NJ 07728 l 732.462.5005 l www.centraljerseypools.com

FOR OVER 60 YEARS, CENTRAL JERSEY POOLS HAS BEEN HELPING FAMILIES turn their outdoor spaces into lasting destinations. Now led by third-generation owners Steven and Michael Metz, the Freehold-based company continues to set the standard for full-service pool, spa, and outdoor living solutions.

Known for its wide range of high-quality products—including in-ground, semi in-ground ,and above-ground pools, hot tubs, swim spas, saunas, and outdoor kitchens—Central Jersey Pools is more than just a retail store. It’s a one-stop destination for design, installation, renovations, and ongoing service. “What sets us apart is our commitment to the customer—before, during, and long after the sale,” says Metz.

Customers describe the team as knowledgeable, dependable, and genuinely invested in making backyard dreams come true.

From professional pool openings and closings to expert repairs and weekly maintenance, Central Jersey Pools supports clients every step of the way. As summer winds down, the company is offering end-of-season promotions on hot tubs, swim spas, saunas, and above-ground pools—making now the perfect time to plan next year’s backyard upgrade. With a 25,000 sq. ft. showroom and nearly seven decades of trusted service, Central Jersey Pools remains a cornerstone of outdoor living in Central Jersey and beyond.

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We’ve got New Jersey covered.

MAY 2025 | $6.95 | MONMOUTHMAG.COM | VOLUME 23 ISSUE 5

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From the top of Bergen to the bottom of Monmouth, we cover New Jersey like nobody else.

If you want to reach the most affluent households and influential businesses in these counties and places in between, contact Publisher Tom Flannery today at 201.571.2252 or thomas.flannery@wainscotmedia.com.

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7/17/25 8/19/25 12:30 10:14 PM AM

ON THE TOWN

Where To Eat

Getting three squares a day has never been easier—Monmouth County is home to a selection of restaurants diverse enough to satisfy all of your cravings.

Anchor Tavern, Belmar

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Iron Whale 1200 Ocean Ave. 732.361.5185 ironwhalenj.com Moonstruck 517 Lake Ave. 732.988.0123 moonstrucknj.com Pascal & Sabine 601 Bangs Ave. 732.774.3395 pascalandsabine.com Porta 911 Kingsley St. 732.776.7661 pizzaporta.com Robinson Ale House 1200 Ocean Ave. N. 732.774.1400 therobinsonalehouse asburypark.com Stella Marina Restaurant & Bar 800 Ocean Ave. 732.775.7776 stellamarinarestaurant.com Taka 660 Cookman Ave. 732.775.1020 takaasburypark.com Talula’s 550 Cookman Ave. 732.455.3003 talulaspizza.com ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS Copper Canyon 51 First Ave. 732.291.8444 thecoppercanyon.com Harborside Grill 40 First Ave. 732.291.0066 theharborsidegrill.com Kunya Siam Thai Restaurant 99 First Ave. 732.291.2397 kunyasiam.com

On the Deck 10 Simon Lake Dr. 732.872.1424 onthedeckrestaurant.com

The Buttered Biscuit, Bradley Beach

AVON-BY-THE-SEA Clementine’s 306 Main St. 732.988.7979 clementinesavon.com Seed to Sprout 410 Main St. 732.774.7333 seedtosproutnj.com BELFORD Belford Bistro 870 Main St. 732.495.8151 belfordbistro.com Naples Pizzeria 872 Main St. 732.787.9479 BELMAR 10th Ave. Burrito Co. 801 Belmar Plz. 732.280.1515 tenthaveburrito.com Anchor Tavern 713 Main St. 732.280.2266 anchortavernnj.com Boathouse Bar & Grill 1309 Main St. 732.681.5221 boathousebarandgrill.com Brandl 703 Belmar Plz. 732.280.7501 brandlrestaurant.com Federico’s 700 Main St. 732.681.6936 federicospizza.com La Dolce Vita 400 Ocean Ave. 732.749.3177 ladolcevitanj.com

BRADLEY BEACH The Buttered Biscuit 700 Main St. 732.807.4069 thebutteredbiscuitcafe. com

The Pig and Parrot Sandbar 201 Union Ln. 732.528.7750 thepigandparrot.com

The Elbow Room 416 Main St. 732.898.6860 elbowroomnj.com

Shipwreck Grill 720 Ashley Ave. 732.292.9380 shipwreckgrill.com

BRIELLE Due Amici 420 Higgins Ave. 732.528.0666 dueamicibriellenj.com

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La Mondina 110 Union Ave. 732.612.8331 lamondinabrielle.com

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EATONTOWN All Seasons Restaurant 176 Wyckoff Rd. 732.542.9462 allseasonsrestaurant.net

Aarzu Modern Indian Bistro 30 E. Main St. 732.333.0933 aarzu.com

ENGLISHTOWN Rosalita’s Roadside Cantina 180 Rte. 9 732.617.0099 rosalitasnj.com

Court Jester 16 E. Main St. 732.462.1040 courtjesternj.com

FREEHOLD 618 Restaurant 618 Park Ave. 732.577.0001 618nj.com

El Meson 40 W. Main St. 732.308.9494 elmesoncafe.com

Photos courtesy of Anchor Tavern, the Buttered Biscuit, Pete & Elda’s, Teak

ASBURY PARK Heirloom at the St. Laurent 408 Seventh Ave. 732.795.2582 thestlaurent.com

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8/18/25 3:00 PM

Federici’s Family Restaurant 14 E. Main St. 732.462.1312 federicis.com

Tommy’s Tavern + Tap 3492 Rte. 9 732.543.0053 tommystavernandtap.com

Yesterday’s Restaurant 3153 Rte. 35 732.264.3777 yesterdaysnj.com

HOLMDEL Palumbo’s 24 Ayers Ln. palumbospizza35.com 732.671.8820

Marmara Mediterranean Cuisine 3710 Rte. 9 732.808.2727 marmaracuisine.com

Tre Pizza Pasta Beer Garden 611 Park Ave. 732.751.4422 trepizzanj.com

HIGHLANDS Bahrs Landing 2 Bay Ave. 732.872.1245 bahrslandingnj.com

KEYPORT Drew’s Bayshore Bistro 25 Church St. 732.739.9219 drewsbayshorebistro.com

Metropolitan Café 8 E. Main St. 732.780.9400 metrocafenj.com

HAZLET Neil Michael’s Steakhouse 1104 Rte. 36 732.217.3626 neilmichaelsteak house.com

Proving Ground 56 Shrewsbury Ave. 732.872.2266 theprovingground.com

LONG BRANCH 21 A On Broadway 202 Broadway 732.483.6967 21aonbroadway.com

Avenue 23 Ocean Ave. 732.759.2900 avenuelongbranch.com

Harpoon Willy’s 2655 River Rd. 732.223.8880 harpoonwillys.com

Charley’s Ocean Grill 29 Avenel Blvd.

732.222.4499 charleysoceangrill.com

The Salty Whale and Guesthouse 390 E. Main St. 732.592.3344 thesaltywhale.com

Mar Belo 611 Broadway 732.870.2222 marbelorestaurant.com

Squan Tavern 15 Broad St. 732.223.3324 squantavern.com

McLoone’s Pier House 1 Ocean Ave. N. 732.795.3493 mcloonespierhouse.com

MATAWAN Buttonwood Manor 845 Rte. 34 N. buttonwoodmanor.com

Rooney’s Oceanfront 100 Ocean Ave. N. 732.870.1200 rooneysocean.com

MIDDLETOWN Crown Palace 1283 Rte. 35 S. 732.615.9888 crownpalacenj.com

Sirena Ristorante 27 Ocean Ave. N. 732.222.1119 sirenaristorante.com MANALAPAN Anemos Greek Cuisine 333 Rte. 9 732.414.6590 anemosgreekcuisine.com Cholula Restaurant 24 Wilson Ave. 732.786.0080 cholularestaurant englishtown.com

NEPTUNE Il Posto 1129 Fifth Ave. 732.775.4823 Molinari’s 312 W. Sylvania Ave. 732.775.7733 molinarisrestaurant.com

Nonna’s Citi Cucina 190 Rte. 9 N. 732.536.9050 nonnasnj.com

Pete & Elda’s 96 Woodland Ave. 732.774.6010 peteandeldas.com

Peking Pavilion 110 Rte. 33 732.308.9700 pekingpavilion.com

OCEAN Illiano’s 933 W. Park Ave. 732.493.2003 illianosrestaurant.net Piccola Italia 837 W. Park Ave. 732.493.3090 piccolaitalianj.com

*Editor’s note—Patrons are encouraged to confirm individual restaurant hours as well as policies regarding reservations and curbside service.

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Neelam Exotic Indian Cuisine 1178 Rte. 35 S. 732.671.8900 neelamindiancuisine.com

Manalapan Diner 48 Rte. 9 732.462.7165 manalapandiner.com

MANASQUAN Blend on Main 152 Main St. 732.223.0030 blendonmain.com

Pete & Elda’s, Neptune

MJ’s Restaurant Bar & Grill 1005 Rte. 35 732.796.1400 mjsrestaurant.com

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ON THE TOWN RED BANK 26 West on the Navesink 26 W. Front St. 732.383.5664 26westonthenavesink.com Birravino 183 Riverside Ave. 732.842.5990 birravino.com B2 Bistro + Bar 141 Shrewsbury Ave. 732.268.8555 b2bistro.com Char Steakhouse 33 Broad St. 732.450.2427 charsteakhouse.com Danny’s 11 Bridge Ave. 732.741.6900 dannyssteakhouse.com JBJ Soul Kitchen 207 Monmouth St. 732.842.0900 jbjsoulkitchen.com Juanito’s Restaurant 159 Monmouth St. 732.747.9118 juanitosredbank.com Kitch Organic 75 Leighton Ave. 732.471.5400 kitchorganic.com Molly Pitcher Inn 88 Riverside Ave. 732.747.2500 themollypitcher.com Muang Thai Restaurant 7 E. Front St. 732.741.9999 muangthairedbank.com Nicholas Barrel & Roost 160 Rte. 35 S. 732.345.9977 barrelandroost.com Patrizia’s 28 Broad St. 732.741.5555 patrizias.com

Pazzo MMX 141 W. Front St. 732.747.4551 pazzoredbank.com

Teak, Red Bank

Teak 64 Monmouth St. 732.747.5775 teakrestaurant.com RUMSON Barnacle Bill’s 1 First St. 732.747.8396 barnaclebills rumson.com Giorgia 102 Ave. of Two Rivers 732.741.3880 ristorantegiorgia.com River Pointe Inn 132 E. River Rd. 732.530.6590 riverpointeinn.com Salt Creek Grille 4 Bingham Ave. 732.933.9272 saltcreekgrille.com Undici 11 W. River Rd. 732.842.3880 undicirestaurant.com Victory Park Tavern 21 W. River Rd. 732.842.6205 victoryparktavern.com SEA BRIGHT Anjelica’s 1070 Ocean Ave. 732.842.2800 anjelicas.com Eventide Grille 1400 Ocean Ave. N. 732.530.1414 eventidegrille.com The Rum Runner 816 Ocean Ave. 732.842.2894 mcloonesrumrunner.com Tommy’s Tavern + Tap 1030 Ocean Ave. 732.842.5044 tommystavernandtap.com

SEA GIRT Fratello’s 810 The Plaza 732.974.8833 fratellosnj.com

SPRING LAKE Amelia’s by the Sea 1505 Ocean Ave. N. 732.769.5700 ameliasbythesea.com

SHREWSBURY Americana Diner 1160 Rte. 35 S. 732.542.1658 americanadiner.net

Spring Lake Tap House 810 Rte. 71 732.282.1530 springlaketaphouse.com

Bayroot 555 Shrewsbury Ave. 732.747.3444 bayrootmarket.com

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D’jeet 637 Broad St. 732.224.8887 djeetcatering.com

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St. Stephen’s Green Publick House 2031 Rte. 71 732.449.2626 ssgpub.com Whispers 200 Monmouth Ave. 732.974.9755 whispersrestaurant.com

Mossuto’s Market & Café 2029 Rte. 35 S. 732.449.8058 mossutosmarketnj.com Shogun Legends 1969 Rte. 34 732.449.6696 shogunlegends.com

WALL Meemom’s 1825 Rte. 35 732.359.8544 meemoms.com

SEPTEMBER 2025

8/18/25 3:00 PM

RESTAURANT REVIEW

The South Meets The Shore There are certain “musts” when you’re spending any amount of time in Asbury Park, particularly when it’s warm out.

Browsing downtown and soaking up the rich arts and music scene are essential for most visits, as is grabbing an after-beach bite along the boardwalk.

Just steps from the sand are a gaggle of eateries that serve slices and smoothies, fries and funnel cake. While the mood for pizza or an acai bowl often strikes, occasionally my girlfriend and I want to step up our dining experience. We had a chance to do so on a late Saturday afternoon, when we sat for dinner at Palmetto Southern Kitchen + Bar. The eatery is a collaboration between Hell’s Kitchen alum James Avery and local restaurant group BarCo Brands. It opened earlier this summer as the permanent replacement for Langosta Lounge, which occupied the oceanfacing spot for 14 years before closing in 2023.

From the outside, Palmetto has the same lively vibe as its predecessor—loud music and large groups gathered on the outdoor patio. On the inside, it brings the Southern comfort cooking that the Asbury scene had been lacking since Modine closed in 2020.

For our visit, our server presented us with an extensive cocktail and drink menu. I craved a tall brew and sipped a blond ale from Asbury Park Brewery. My girlfriend, meanwhile, had a honeysuckle daiquiri, a radiant concoction with plenty of rum as well as lemon and orange juice, honey syrup and mint. Though my beer was cool and crisp, her drink was truly a party in a glass.

Many of the choices on the food menu also were designed for a good time. There are shareables such as seafood tower (a multitiered platter with oysters, clams and shrimp), shrimp cocktail and even lobster cocktail, but we stuck to little plates for our starters. Our first was fried green tomatoes, a traditional Southern dish that Palmetto has aced. Its version had a perfect amount of seasoned breading as not to overpower the taste of the juicy tomato. The pickle-juice ranch drizzle and accompanying pickled red onion

PALMETTO SOUTHERN KITCHEN + BAR, 1000 Ocean Ave., Asbury Park, 732.361.3639; palmettoasburypark.com

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added zesty touches. The flavors of this dish complemented the sweetness of our second appetizer, skillet corn bread. I often prefer the dense, firm corn bread found at barbecue joints, but Palmetto’s soft and fluffy version was a delight—and it’s still making me reconsider my preferences.

Soon after we finished our little plates, our server, Mike, delivered our main courses. I had toyed with the idea of Palmetto’s dry-rubbed ribs and the panseared salmon, but I ultimately went with the center-cut pork chop—and, boy, did I make the right call. This was a model pork chop: The meat alone was juicy, moist, tender and flavorful, but the Vidalia soubise (a French-inspired sauce made of onions, butter, cream and seasonings) elevated the dish to another level. Perhaps the best bite of the night was a forkful of pork chop smothered with the sauce and the side order of creamy mashed potatoes.

While I was in dining bliss, so was my girlfriend, who was savoring every bite of her grilled swordfish entree. Like my pork chop, the fish was prepared and cooked to a T—the meat was moist and not overcooked, the skin crisp but not charred. It also picked up the sweet taste of the sweet corn salad, which was served beneath the swordfish.

Hungry for more (a long day on the beach builds appetites), we joked with our server to bring us every option from the dessert menu—everything sounded so good. Ultimately, however, we narrowed our selections to two: peach cobbler cheesecake from the daily specials and carrot cake. The latter, my choice, earned an instant thumbsup from me; the cake was perfectly moist and the cream cheese topping wasn’t overly sweet.

The cheesecake was enough to satisfy my girlfriend’s sweet tooth, though the cobbler portion was on the dry side. That slight misstep wasn’t enough to prevent us from finishing the plate, and it certainly won’t stop us from adding this place to our list of obligatory stops on a visit to Asbury Park.

—Darius Amos

Photos by Darius Amos

Palmetto Southern Kitchen brings refined, low-country flavor to the Asbury Park boardwalk.

SEPTEMBER 2025

8/20/25 10:37 AM

COMING IN NOVEMBER

NEW!

DINING GUIDE

NEW!

CHEF’S COOKBOOK

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT

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JODI BRUKER, Publisher

732-778-4744

Jodi.Bruker@wainscotmedia.com

8/19/25 10:29 AM

HAPPENINGS

Be There

Looking for live music, fantastic festivals and one-of-a-kind experiences? You’ll find all that and more here in Monmouth.

SEPT. 12 For unforgettable ambience and truly special music, head over to Monmouth University’s Pollak Theatre in West Long Branch for a CANDLELIT CONCERT featuring string quartet From Bach to The Beatles. With the soft glow of candles as the backdrop, take in both classical music standards and whimsical arrangements of more contemporary songs. The show begins at 7 p.m. For tickets and more, see monmouth.edu.

SEPT. 13 Over in Highlands, the popular BREWS

BY THE BAY craft beer festival returns to the Seafarer for another year of great sips and seaside vibes. Starting at noon, breweries from across New Jersey will be pouring tastings of two premium beers each. Guests can relax by cozy firepits and enjoy surf-and-turf bites from Cuts & Catch, the Seafarer’s outdoor kitchen.

It’s the perfect blend of craft flavor and coastal charm. For tickets and more details, visit highlandsnj.wufoo.com.

SEPT. 12–13 Memorabilia collectors, rejoice! THE NEW JERSEY SPORTS CARD CONVENTION comes to iPlay America in Freehold for two days of collectibles, novelties, sports trading cards and much more. Browse the offerings of experienced card collectors and dealers from all over the state. The show opens at 2 p.m. on Friday and 9 a.m. on Saturday. For tickets and more, see iplayamerica.com.

SEPT. 13 Spend a fun-filled day at Veterans Park in Hazlet during the 6TH ANNUAL CAR SHOW AND FESTIVAL, hosted by Hazlet’s Police Benevolent Association. The event kicks off at 9 a.m. and offers delicious bites from local food trucks, unique finds from vendors and a showcase of antique, classic and custom vehicles. All proceeds go toward the Hazlet PBA. For more information, check out the event’s Facebook page.

SEPT. 13–OCT. 5 A legendary whodunit takes the stage for the first time with the world premiere of MURDER ON THE LINKS at Two River Theater in Red Bank. This stylish new adaptation of Agatha Christie’s classic novel brings her iconic detective, Hercule Poirot, to life in a fresh theatrical production by Tony Award-winner Darko Tresnjak, who both adapts and directs. Multiple performance times, including matinees, are available.

For tickets and more information, visit tworivertheater.org.

SEPT. 16 Ready to show off your talent? The Freehold Borough Art Council holds its SONGWRITERS CONTEST AT THE AMERICAN HOTEL in Freehold. Bring and present your best song to the table, and both the audience and the other songwriters will vote for which competitor gets to be recorded at City Lights recording studio and included in on a multi-artist album CD project. Remember, this isn’t a singing contest—it’s all about the song. The contest starts at 6:30 p.m., and more information can be found at downtown freehold.com.

*Editor’s note: All events are subject to cancellations or changes. Attendees are encouraged to confirm dates and times with organizers and venues.

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SEPT. 20 Emmy Award-winner Kevin James stops by the Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank on his KEVIN JAMES: OWLS DON’T WALK standup tour. See the talent that carried The King of Queens for nine seasons and starred in dozens of Hollywood movies and stand-up specials. Doors open at 4 p.m., and the show starts at 5 p.m. For tickets and more information, head over to thebasie.org.

SEPT. 20 Looking for a day of sunshine, community and amazing food? Spring Lake has you covered, as it’s once again hosting the ever-popular ITALIAN FESTIVAL. Browse the Italian Specialties food court on Morris Avenue, and then wander through this adorable downtown and take in the live music.

The rain date is Sept. 27. The fun starts at noon, and more information can be found at visitspringlake.com.

SEPT. 27 Celebrate the season of ghosts and ghouls at the Historic Village at Allaire in Wall, which presents THE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW. Watch dynamic actors bring the classic spooky tale of Ichabod Crane and the headless horseman to life—and audience participation is welcome. The scares start at 7:30 p.m. For tickets and more information, see allairevillage. org and eventbrite.com.

SEPT. 27 Everyone’s favorite DIY local music festival is back!

PORCHFEST returns to Asbury Park, and it’s a perfect time to see fantastic local acts up close, personal and free of charge. Stroll through residential areas and watch bands in every genre perform on porches and in front yards. This is the largest event of its kind in the Northeast, and the music starts at noon. For more information, see apporchfest.org.

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SEPT. 27 Algonquin Arts Theater in Manasquan presents its fall benefit concert, and it’s one to be excited about.

EAGLEMANIA, billed as “the world’s No. 1 Eagles tribute,” promises the audience an unforgettable night of great music. Two showtimes are available: 3 and 8 p.m. For tickets and more, head over to algonquinarts.org.

SEPT. 27 If you’re looking to bowl a few games and listen to some great music, check out indie folk act THE 502S, which brings its Easy Street tour to Asbury Lanes in Asbury Park This band is known for its blending of roots, rock and bluegrass in addition to the “rambunctious energy” of their live shows. The concert starts at 8 p.m. For tickets and more information, see asbury lanes.com.

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ON THE TOWN

Gatherings

Monmouth residents always show up to support their friends and neighbors.

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9 1. CASA OF NJ CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of NJ held its annual Blossoms & Bright Futures fundraiser event at McLoone’s Pier House in Long Branch.

The charity event was filled with fun, live music, silent auction and wine tasting.

2. BROOKDALE COMMUNITY COLLEGE Brookdale Community College and Parker Family Health Center established a free dental clinic on Brookdale’s main campus in Lincroft.

The clinic will provide essential dental care to underserved populations in Monmouth County while also creating hands-on learning experiences for Brookdale students.

3. CENTRASTATE MEDICAL CENTER CentraState Medical Center recently held a ribbon-cutting for its Atlantic Health Manalapan Pavilion.

The 18,000-square-foot primary care center offers comprehensive personalized care from experts in primary care, OB/GYN, pulmonology, endocrinology, neurosurgery and movement disorders.

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4–5. MONMOUTH MEDICAL CENTER Monmouth Medical Center recently celebrated the 80th anniversary of its Orthopaedic Surgery Residency Program as it bid farewell to its class of 2025. The program took place at the Hollywood Golf Club in Deal, where fellow residents, faculty and alumni gathered.

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6–7. MARY’S PLACE

BY THE SEA Mary’s Place by yhe Sea held its fifth annual Swing for the Soul Golf Outing at Deal Golf and Country Club. In addition to golf, the fundraiser featured lunch, dinner and a silent auction. The event raised more than $125,000 to support the organization’s mission of helping women with cancer heal mind, body and soul.

8–9. TWO RIVER THEATER Two River Theater in Red Bank held its final opening night of the season. The evening celebrated the debut of The Price, which wowed audiences throughout the summer.

CASA of Monmouth County (1), Brookdale Community College (2), CentraState Medical Center (3), Monmouth Medical Center (4–5), Mary’s Place By The Sea (6–7), Lisa Campbell (8–9)

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Christian Brothers Academy Alumni, faculty and friends celebrate Lincroft high school’s 65th anniversary.

Christian Brothers Academy/Larry Levanti

To commemorate its founding 65 years ago, Christian Brothers Academy in Lincroft hosted an anniversary gala, bringing together alumni, parents, faculty and friends. Featuring popular New Jersey band Brian Kirk and the Jirks on stage, the night paid tribute to CBA’s decorated past and toasted to the future of educating young men of faith, character and action. The proceeds from the gala will benefit student financial assistance, as well as support CBA’s academic and extracurricular programming. Monmouth County Commissioner Erik Anderson presented CBA President Ross Fales and Principal Neil Begley with a proclamation to memorialize the special year.

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A MONMOUTH MOMENT

“I brought my goddaughter and her four children to Happy Day Farm in Manalapan when they came to visit from Connecticut during summer. We took a wagon ride to the sunflower field. It was amazing to stand among all the flowers, and we took lots of great pictures. This American flag caught my eye and made me think of my own American flag, which has hung outside my home since 9/11.”

Send us your Monmouth Moment! Email your photo and a short description to editor@wainscotmedia.com.

Monmouth Magazine Volume 23, Issue 9 (ISSN# 2573-8151 and USPS 025-351) is published 12 times a year by Wainscot Media, One Maynard Dr., Park Ridge, NJ 07656. Postmaster: Send address changes to Subscription Department, Wainscot Media, One Maynard Dr., Park Ridge, NJ 07656. Periodicals postage paid at Park Ridge, N.J., and additional mailing offices.

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Photo courtesy of Eileen Cartwright

—Eileen Cartwright, Morganville

SEPTEMBER 2025

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