Monmouth Health and Life Summer 2020

FEATURING “IN GOOD HEALTH” FROM MONMOUTH MEDICAL CENTER

HEALTH & LIFE

HEALTH & LIFE

THE SUMMER ISSUE

SUMMER FUN THE GREAT OUTDOORS: NATURE BECKONS 6 CAN’T-MISS SHORE SPOTS TAKE IT OUTSIDE: BACKYARD DINING

JUNE/JULY 2020 | $3.95 | MONMOUTHHEALTHANDLIFE.COM | VOLUME 19 ISSUE 3

VOLUME 19 ISSUE 3 | JUNE/JULY 2020

84

YEARS IN BUSINESS!

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Custom Stone Fabrication/ Bulk Materials / Building & Landscape Stone / Pavers / Crushed Sea Shells

CONTENTS

{ JUNE/JULY 2020 }

Features Helping The Heroes | 24

Monmouth Medical Center’s frontline workers get a boost from community donations.

Making a Connection | 26

For COVID-19 patients in isolation, an artistic gesture creates a feeling of togetherness.

Facing New Challenges | 27 Clinical dietitian Cindy Kwiatkowski ensures COVID patients get the nutrition they need for recovery.

The Right Choice | 28

Take It Outside | 40

Home Office Space | 30

Table That! | 44

When his COVID symptoms worsened, an Ocean Grove man turned to Monmouth Medical Center —his “goto” hospital—for help.

Quarantined? Or has home long been your 9-to-5 HQ? Either way, here’s inspiration for an office so stylish you’ll be glad you live there.

Return to Nature | 34

Break your cabin fever and kiss the sunshine. The great outdoors beckons and our county has plenty of spaces to enjoy and soak up some sun.

After all, the malls are still closed!

BACK TO THE BEACHES

COVID-19 kept us quarantined throughout spring, but rest assured we won’t get shut out for summer. New Jersey’s beaches are open for sun bathers, surfers and anyone who needs to get away. Not sure where to go?

Make new memories at one of these hot spots.

p.

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MONMOUTHHEALTHANDLIFE.COM

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Add thoughtful décor and creative details to your next garden party to make a memorable alfresco dining experience.

Patio furniture this pretty should be used and admired.

IN EVERY ISSUE

8 Welcome Letter 10 Editor’s Note 22 Health News

MICHAEL SKEA, Broker Associate

Your Trusted Real Estate Advisor at the Jersey Shore 732.272.5898 (cell) | 732.449.3322 (office) mskea@wardwightsir.com GetToKnowMichaelSkea.com TheSkeaWay.Blog WardWight.com

EXPERIENCE LIFE AT THE JERSEY SHORE...

Contact me today to schedule a private or virtual tour!

SEA GIRT | Oversized 75’ x 150’ Lot

4 Bedrooms 4/1 Baths

Requesting $2,425,000

Visit 510Crescent.com

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8 Bedrooms 9/1 Baths

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Visit 209Jersey.com

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5 Bedrooms 5/1 Baths

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Visit 100ChicagoSG.com

SPRING LAKE | 4,000 SF New Construction

5 Bedrooms 6/1 Baths

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Visit 216Monroe.com

CONTENTS

Departments Monmouth Buzz | 12 Our guide to new ideas, tips, trends and things we love in the county.

Style Watch | 16

Bold neons make you smile (and help you stand out)!

For Men Only | 14

The polo is neat and sleek and an oh-so-versatile shirt (plus it comes in lots of colors).

Jewelry Box | 16

Your father or grandfather will think of you every time he wears this stylish new bling.

Home Front | 20

Spools and spirals turn up the charm in any room.

Tastes | 46

46 34

Make restaurant-quality, summery meals while you’re quarantining at home with these recipes for sizzling, Michelin-star-worthy entrées.

Spirits | 54

14

Roses are red and violets are blue— but this cheerful and tart drink is perfect just for you!

Gatherings | 55

Whether it’s at a fundraiser or volunteering event, Monmouth residents always show up to support their friends and neighbors.

A Monmouth Moment | 56

Even during this stressful time, the sun peeking out of the clouds on the beach in Belmar offers a glimmer of hope.

MONMOUTHHEALTHANDLIFE.COM

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SPECIAL PROMOTION

TM

Cleaning with the power of the sun! TM Since being discovered as a disinfectant, UVC light has been used in a broad range of commercial, industrial, and medical applications, from water treatment to curing of inks and coatings to hygiene and infection control.

UVC can also sterilize equipment in work-spaces.

Because UVC sterilization isn’t a wet solution like other disinfectants that can leave behind residue, it can be used as a more efficient solution to help ensure that equipment and instruments are effectively cleaned. And, it can help improve the consistency of cleaning and disinfecting by removing elements of human error that arise with manual cleaning solutions.

Give confidence to your employees and your customers that you can provide a clean environment that chemical sprays and cleaners do not offer. Spray cleaners leave residue, and no residue that needs rinsing, no maintenance of other sanitizing and disinfecting equipment, we do that for you. Call us for more information and to do an onsite assessment.

Safe and 99.9% effective, based on repeated scientific research.

Although 99.9% effective, we cannot determine how quickly your environment will allow in environmental bacteria and viruses with use of the space, that is why multi-applications may be necessary especially during colder months when colds, flu, and now Covid are at their peak infection rates. Greatly reduce transmission rates in the air and on surfaces with multiple UVC applications.

Routine cleaning produces the results you are looking for.

Re-open standards are going to be stringent, why not start now with above and beyond traditional cleaning?

It is more important then ever to make environmental cleaning a major part of your regular course of business maintenance.

All UV Clean™ alluvclean.com | 732.642.2083

HEALTH & LIFE

Editor in Chief RITA GUARNA Creative Director STEPHEN M. VITARBO Senior Associate Editor DARIUS AMOS Lifestyle Editor HALEY LONGMAN Contributing Editor KIMBERLY REDMOND ART

Art Director MICHAEL FORTE Contributing Photographer VIC WAHBY PRODUCTION

Director of Production SUSAN WINDRUM Circulation Manager KATHY WENZLER Graphic Designer, Advertising Services VIOLETA MULAJ Production Art Associate CHRIS FERRANTE

yourCOLOR GPS something for everyone.

BE SOCIAL Join our online community!

LIKE us on Facebook: MonmouthHealthandLife FOLLOW us on Twitter: @MonmouthHandL SEE our photos on Instagram: @HealthNLife VIEW our boards on Pinterest: HealthandLife SEND YOUR FEEDBACK AND IDEAS TO: Editor, Monmouth Health & Life, P.O. Box 1082, Asbury Park, NJ 07712; fax: 201.746.8650; email editor@ wainscotmedia.com. Monmouth Health & Life assumes no responsibility for the return of unsolicited manuscripts or art materials.

1.800.CALL GPS | shopgps.com Bayonne | Bergenfield | Eatontown | Edison | Flemington Green Brook | Hawthorne | Lakewood | Matawan Morris Plains | Orange | Paramus For additional locations please visit our website.

Kraftmaid Monmouth HealthLif 5.677.indd 1

4/21/20 3:56 PM

Monmouth Health & Life is published 6 times a year by Wainscot Media, 1 Maynard Dr., Park Ridge, NJ 07656. This is Volume 19, Issue 3. © 2020 by Wainscot Media LLC. All rights reserved. Subscriptions in U.S. outside of Monmouth County: $14 for one year. Single copies: $3.95.

Material contained herein is intended for informational purposes only. If you have medical concerns, seek the guidance of a healthcare professional.

MONMOUTH ST. TILE SURFACES OF SUBSTANCE & STYLE

Publisher THOMAS FLANNERY Associate Publisher JODI BRUKER ADVERTISING

Account Executive KAREN AZZARELLO Director, Special Programs LAURA A. DOWDEN MARKETING, DIGITAL & OPERATIONS

Director of Marketing and Digital Media NIGEL EDELSHAIN Director of Advertising Services JACQUELYNN FISCHER Chief Finance Officer STEVEN RESNICK Assistant Controller MEGAN FRANK

artisan tile | mosaics | decorative stone | design services 44 Monmouth Street | Red Bank | 732.933.1760 â—† 2175 Highway 35 | Sea Girt | 732.974.0048 monmouthsttile.com

Junior Accountants KASIE CARLETON, KATIE TORRE Communications Manager CATHERINE ROSARIO Executive Assistant PENNY GLASS BOAG PUBLISHED BY WAINSCOT MEDIA

Chairman CARROLL V. DOWDEN President & CEO MARK DOWDEN Senior Vice Presidents SHAE MARCUS CARL OLSEN Vice Presidents NIGEL EDELSHAIN THOMAS FLANNERY RITA GUARNA STEVEN RESNICK DIANE VOJCANIN

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

ADVERTISING INQUIRIES Please contact Thomas Flannery at 201.571.2252 or thomas.flannery@wainscotmedia.com.

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 Health & Life, Circulation Department, 1 Maynard Dr., Park Ridge, NJ 07656; telephone 201.573.5541; email kathy.wenzler@wainscotmedia.com.

VISIT HEALTHANDLIFEMAGS.COM/MONMOUTH/SUBSCRIBE TO SIGN UP.

{ WELCOME LETTER }

You’ve taken every precaution.

So have we.

Welcome back.

If you’ve put off any medical care due to COVID-19, please don’t delay it any longer. As a high reliability organization, we’ve taken every precaution and continue to provide health care services. We have initiated a resumption of services in adherence to all public health guidance and regulatory policies. Learn more at rwjbh.org/WelcomeBack

Welcome Back to Wellness In May we recognized the national observances of Nurses Week and Hospital Week, as well as National EMS Week.

Fittingly in May, we gathered with area fire and police departments, along with other local EMS squads, for a “heroes’ salute” at Monmouth Medical Center.

The event featured 13 squads representing 12 towns including Atlantic Highlands, Deal, Eatontown, Highlands, Long Branch, Monmouth Beach, Ocean Township, Oceanport, Rumson, Sea Bright and West Long Branch. Nearly 40 first response vehicles were on site at MMC, running lights and sirens to boost morale and salute staff entering and exiting the building at the 7 p.m. shift change. This amazing public expression of support meant so much to our frontline staff, who were also applauded by our Management Team and Medical Staff who stood in reception lines in the main lobby holding “Heroes Work Here” signs and clapping for incoming and outgoing staff.

The event provided a great opportunity to celebrate our staff and physicians for the incredible work they have been doing to take care of our community and let them know how appreciated they are by hospital leadership as well as the community at large. At the same time, it gave us the opportunity to honor the contributions of our frontline partners in this crisis—this “heroes honoring heroes” event truly showed that we are all in this fight together.

As we welcome a new month, we are excited to welcome back patients who, during the height of the pandemic, may have delayed getting healthcare—a choice that can have devastating consequences. I want to assure you that we are taking the appropriate precautions to ensure the highest quality care, protection, support and comfort for our patients and safety for our healthcare heroes.

Rest assured, safety comes first in everything we do. In fact, MMC recently received its 11th consecutive “A” Hospital Safety Score rating by the Leapfrog Group in recognition of our commitment and focus on safety and quality. This “A” rating is a timely recognition of our frontline staff, who are providing extraordinarily safe care in our community’s time of need.

To learn more, visit rwjbh.org/monmouth and click on the “Welcome Back” link.

ERIC CARNEY President and Chief Executive Officer MONMOUTH MEDICAL CENTER AND THE UNTERBERG CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL

Caregivers

B R AV E RY Military Doctors Fire Fighters

COURAGE

COMMITMENT

Educators

Supermarket Staff EMTs Police Delivery Drivers Sanitation Restaurant Workers

HEROES

ThankYou.

Healthcare Workers

GRIT

DEDICATION Nurses

Public Transportation

Utility Workers

{ EDITOR’S NOTE } HEALTH & LIFE

COMING IN SEPTEMBER

FACES OF MONMOUTH FACES OF

MONMOUTH

FACES OF

2019

MONMOUTH 2020

THE FACE OF

AESTHETIC DENTISTRY AND DIGITAL PROCEDURES

ANTHONY SALLUSTIO, D.D.S.

1300 Allenhurst Ave., Ocean, NJ 07712 732.531.4046 | drasallustio.com “YOU DESERVE A SPECIALIST,” says Dr. Sallustio, when it comes to enhancing your smile. Known for his excellence in Prosthodontics and Maxillofacial prosthetics, Dr. Sallustio merges his 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 helps patients regain confidence in their smile. Patients appreciate the support by a well-trained, dedicated staff and in house lab technicians. Dr. Sallustio also provides life changing treatment including same-day Allon-4 implants and bridges, and prosthetics for oral and facial cancer, trauma, and congenital defects.

THE FACE OF

DISTINCTIVE NATURAL STONE JOE IACONO, OWNER | BEDROCK GRANITE

803 Shrewsbury Ave., Shrewsbury, NJ 07702 | 732.741.0010 | bedrockgranite.com BEDROCK GRANITE IS A ONE-STOP SHOP for your most important home design needs. For over 30 years, our family-owned business—now in its third generation—has built long-standing relationships with award-winning designers, dealers and builders, all working together to ensure every detail is considered to create the look you envision. Bedrock Granite sources its natural stone, quartz and porcelain slabs from various wholesalers in the tri-state area. Our expert craftsmen produce elegant, clean and exact results that withstand the test of time.

Visit our showroom to browse our wide selection of granite, marble, quartz and other natural stones for your kitchen, bathroom, fireplace, office or outdoor space. Our highly skilled staff will provide exceptional customer service and assist you throughout the entire process, from selecting the perfect stone all the way through installation. As Monmouth County’s most experienced stone specialists, we mastermind the details that turn your dream project into reality.

FACES OF

MONMOUTH 2020

THE FACE OF

PET CARE

SHELLY LEIBOWITZ, OWNER GREEN LEAF PET RESORT

1602 Route 35, Oakhurst, NJ 07755 732.272.0800 23 Burnt Tavern Rd., Millstone Township, NJ 08510 609.259.1500 greenleafpetresort.com SHELLY LEIBOWITZ HAS THE BEST JOB IN THE WORLD as the owner of Green Leaf Pet Resort. For more than 40 years, Shelly has successfully trained thousands of dogs for a variety of corporate, celebrity and private clients, but the demand for overnight boarding, doggie daycare, grooming and behavioral training spurred him to open Green Leaf. Dedicated staff tends to boarding canine guests 24/7 while their humans are vacationing, at work or simply to give their pet a day of play and socialization.

“Dog owners won’t travel because they can’t trust their dog with just anyone,” says Shelly.

“The greatest thing to hear is that someone is finally taking a vacation and leaving their dog with us.” Their guests are treated to amenities such as one-on-one care, swimming, playtime and many other fun activities.

Green Leaf offers transportation services too.

New treats are on the horizon at Green Leaf.

To participate, contact Jodi Bruker, Asscociate Publisher at 732.701.1108 or Jodi.Bruker@wainscotmedia.com

NOW IN FULL COLOR!

Hello, Summer Traditionally, our summer issue extols the virtues of the great outdoors, and this year is no different—except, well, it is. Faced with continued social distancing and the uncertainty due to COVID-19, visiting our parks, courses, trails and beaches takes a lot more planning. But I’ll gladly make that extra effort—wearing on a mask, bringing hand sanitizer, calling ahead for operating hours—if it means I can thoroughly enjoy the fresh air and sunshine.

To make it easier for you, we’ve put together our annual list of places in Monmouth County to fish, bird watch, get a little R&R and more. Turn to “Return to Nature” on page 34 for the snapshot of locales to visit now. The beach is where I’ll spend plenty of time this summer. That idea was in doubt a couple of months ago, when the stay-at-home directive was in full force. As we ease our way back to normal, I vow to see more of our state’s shoreline. In “Back to the Beaches” on page 38, we spotlight six can’t-miss destinations in Monmouth and beyond that I know I (and you) will love.

If you’re not quite ready to venture out and join the crowd, you can still enjoy the outdoors in your own backyard. Flip to “Take It Outside” on page 40 for inspiration—and a couple of decorating tips—on turning your next backyard barbecue into a garden party that you and your guests will remember. Then take your get-together to the next level by updating your patio furniture. The outdoor dining sets in “Table That!” on page 44 are so elegant they should be used and admired.

Though we can’t help but think about the outdoors, we didn’t forget about all the dads out there. In this issue’s For Men Only (page 14) and Jewelry Box (page 18), we curated a collection of gifts that your special guy would love for Father’s Day (or any day).

This issue also has more indoor and outdoor design inspiration, including home office ideas for those WFH, as well as COVID-related coverage.

Whether you’re inspired to head outdoors this summer or motivated to live life to its fullest, enjoy every moment and continue to do so safely. See you outside!

Rita Guarna Editor in Chief editor@wainscotmedia.com

a member of

{ BUZZ }

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

SLOW RIDE, TAKE IT EASY While curbing motor vehicle traffic and limiting mass transit options, the coronavirus shutdown has breathed new life into two-wheel travel. To keep bikes a viable transportation option, stores such as Shrewsbury Bicycles, Matawan Bike Shop and Brielle Cyclery have been deemed essential businesses and permitted to remain open with restrictions during the pandemic.

“We limited the amount of customers we handle at one time, and we closed the showroom floor and only recently reopened it,” says Nick of The Peddler in Long Branch. In addition, store owners had to set up shop outdoors and help customers try bikes along the curb, and turnaround time for their repair business began to slow, as access to parts has been limited.

If the pandemic has inspired you to unearth your bike from the garage, here are three tips from the pros: • Service your bicycle. Have a professional check its chain, tires, brakes and bearings.

• Check your helmet. Make sure it fits properly. The foam in most helmets wears down because of heat and other environmental factors, giving most helmets a 3- to 5-year life span.

• Be visible. When you share the road with motorists, wear bright-colored clothing and outfit your bike with rechargeable daytime running lights that have a flashing setting.

THE ARTSY SHORE The Oyster Point Hotel has long been known for its connection with art, but now it’s taking things up a notch.

Instead of doing its bi-monthly gallery showings, the Red Bank hotel and wedding venue has launched a new artist-in-residence program, in which local artists display their original works around the hotel for up to a year. The paintings of New Jersey-raised Don Harger are currently on display in guest rooms, as well as in public gallery spaces within the hotel. And, once COVID-19 restrictions are lifted, the hotel team is planning an official opening for the exhibit.

“I’ve also established a quarterly Artists’ Salon, where the public and hotel guests are invited to mingle with past and present Oyster Point exhibiting artists,” says Ellen Martin, who curates the art at the hotel. “We had our first one on March 8 and are looking forward to the day when we can schedule others.”

• The Oyster Point Hotel, 46 Bodman Place, Red Bank, 732.530.8200; theoysterpointhotel.com

VOLUNTEER SHOPPER Eighteen-year-old Omar Abuattieh has been putting his quarantine time at home to good use. The recent Holmdel High School grad has been grocery-shopping—free of charge—for people who can’t leave their homes during the pandemic.

Abuattieh set up a website called omarsneighborhood.com, where seniors and/or those who are immunocompromised and live in the Holmdel, Aberdeen and Middletown region submit their grocery lists. Then the teen and a few pals who help him due to the high volume of orders (almost 300 total since late March!) shop at the store, drop off groceries on the customer’s porch and get reimbursed for their purchases via cash or via Venmo. (The latter is preferred to avoid unnecessary contact.)

“On a busy day we get around 12 orders, and each of us takes one to two,” the new grad says. “Our website has attracted more than 3,000 people.” There is no delivery fee, but there is an option on the site to leave a tip for the driver to cover the cost of gas should you feel so inclined. Just don’t get too attached to your driver, as Abuattieh and his friends will be heading off to college in the fall and are still figuring out how they’ll handle the service beyond the summer.

MONMOUTHHEALTHANDLIFE.COM

THERE’S AN APP FOR THAT Meanwhile, you can head just a bit farther down the Shore—or just grab your phone—for more creative inspiration via the Wooden Walls art installation at 700 Ocean Avenue on the Asbury Park boardwalk. The Shore town is covered in bold, painted murals done by both local and international artists, but right now the boardwalk where many of them are displayed is closed. So the Wooden Walls project teamed up with the Smartify app to provide users a virtual experience in which they can tour the ocean-facing Sunset Pavilion, view the walls and learn about each artist. More mural tours will be added, so download the Smartify app at the app store on your device, and keep checking it for updates.

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KUDOS

PAMPER YOUR PUP

CAN’T WAIT FOR MONDAYS

REPPIN’ THE 732 The star-studded Graduate Together: America Honors The High School Class Of 2020 that aired May 16 across all major networks featured the likes of LeBron James, the Jonas Brothers, Barack Obama—and Monmouth County’s very own Eliza Andrus. The Ocean Township High School senior represented the Spartans—and her hometown of Oakhurst—on the national TV special that paid homage to graduating seniors around the country. And the aspiring actress had quite an important role in the telecast, which, along with another graduate from Maryland, was to introduce a performance from the Platt trio consisting of Tony-winning actor Ben Platt and his brothers, Henry and Jonah. “Alright. So when do @Ben SPLATT and I become best friends since I just introduced him on # GraduateTogether2020,” she tweeted after her 15 seconds of fame. We see big things in this girl’s future!

Many small, local businesses have been among those hit hardest by the fallout of COVID-19, but one 13-year-old is doing her part to help out. Throughout the quarantine period, Bergen County middle-schooler Zoe Herishen has been offering up free virtual half-hour ukulele lessons to anyone who purchases the instrument at Lucky Dog Surf Co. in Sea Bright. Herishen and the shop’s owner Melissa D’Anna, who met on a flight to a surf expo in Florida, share a love of the ukulele and of surfing, and the two have teamed up for in-person ukulele lessons in the past. But now that everything has gone virtual—and people are looking to help out during the shutdown period—this partnership makes total sense.

“It’s very fun to take these lessons when we are in a pandemic and to get to see someone else,” says Kiara, a 9-year-old student from Long Branch. “Zoe taught me a lot in just four lessons and I look forward to Mondays to have these lessons with Zoe.” • Lucky Dog Surf Co., 1096 Ocean Ave., Sea Bright, 732.844.9283; luckydogsurf.com

STAY HOME, STAY SAFE What good is having a platform if you don’t use it for the better?

Oceanport’s Gina Mellish is employing hers during the quarantine.

Mellish, aka Miss New Jersey 2020, is lending her voice to help those suffering from domestic violence, which is particularly prevalent now as victims are stuck in quarantine with potential abusers. The 21-year-old former victim has been hosting “escalation workshops” with One Love Foundation, teaching men and women about the signs of an abusive relationship and how to get help, and the workshops have gone virtual amid the pandemic. She has also partnered with the Hazlet-based nonprofit 180 Turning Lives Around, which offers shelter for victims and is working with local cops on issuing restraining orders even as the courts remain closed. If you’re in need of help, call 180 Turning Lives Around’s hotline at 732.264.4111 or 888.843.9262, or sign up for a workshop with the Marist College grad at joinonelove.org.

MONMOUTHHEALTHANDLIFE.COM

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Hair gone wild during the quarantine? Surely you’ve noticed Fido is in need of a grooming too. This poses a challenge for dog owners, who for weeks have debated trimming their dog’s brows and fur or waiting for a pro to do it the right way.

But tails began to wag again in April, when Gov. Phil Murphy declared that pet grooming, daycare and boarding businesses could reopen provided they adhered to social distancing guidelines. “We are wearing masks now, and the dogs are going straight into the tub for a thorough cleaning,” says Diana Koerner, whose Barks on Bay grooming salons in both Highlands and Keansburg were closed for a month before reopening in late April. “To be as safe as possible we are limiting contact with the dogs too, not allowing them to lick near our faces or each other.”

Proper dog grooming not only cleans furs and removes dead hair, dirt and dandruff; the pros also can detect issues with skin, nails, teeth and ears and other health conditions.

“We have our hands all over their bodies; we feel the lumps and bumps, we notice when they get bigger, and we notice when their behavior is off or if they wince in pain around the mouth when their teeth are bothering them,” the Barks on Bay owner says. “We also catch fleas and ticks that might go unnoticed by the average owner.” She adds that matted fur “is painful and can lead to a variety of issues with skin, circulation and pain while walking,” so try to keep to your furry friend’s grooming schedule every six to eight weeks.

{ FOR MEN ONLY }

The Power of the Polo

It’s neat and sleek and an oh-so-versatile shirt (plus it comes in lots of colors).

Polos by Fedeli, fedelicashmere.com

MONMOUTHHEALTHANDLIFE.COM

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JUNE/JULY 2020

挀漀氀漀爀㨀 䀀氀愀甀爀攀渀挀漀氀漀爀猀 ⼀ 猀琀礀氀攀㨀 洀攀氀椀猀猀愀洀栀愀椀爀

{ STYLE WATCH } ROCOCO SAND FLORAL PRINT DUSTER JACKET bloomingdales. com

BP NEON MIRRORED AVIATOR SUNGLASSES Nordstrom, Freehold, 732.308.1117

SIMON MILLER PUFFIN SHOULDER BAG simonmillerusa.com

Glow On Bold neons make you smile (and help you stand out)!

TANYA TAYLOR JEANA PRINTED MIDI SKIRT Glow Boutique, Shrewsbury, 732.747.2262

PUFF-SLEEVE CROPPED TOP Banana Republic, Shrewsbury, 732.530.1277

ALEXANDER MCQUEEN SMALL SKULL BAG Nordstrom, Freehold, 732.308.1117 SCHUTZ SHOES MONIQUE SANDAL Zabayon, Manalapan, 732.761.1303

MONMOUTHHEALTHANDLIFE.COM

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DE

E

A

D

R

S

2019 RS

’ C H O I C E AW

HOME OF THE TOMAHAWK STEAKS, WAGYU AND A-5 JAPANESE KOBE

SERVING THE COMMUNITY FOR OVER 50 YEARS #MONMOUTHMEATS

Full service, old fashioned butcher shop and meat market located in the heart of downtown Red Bank.

112 Monmouth Street • Red Bank, NJ

732.741.5292

MonmouthMeats.com

AR

{ JEWELRY BOX } JAN LESLIE GEMSTONE TURTLE STERLING SILVER CUFFLINKS Garmany, Red Bank, 732.576.8500

TISSOT BRIDGEPORT MECHANICAL SKELETON POCKET WATCH Simone’s Jewelry, Shrewsbury, 732.389.9041

DIESEL DOUBLE DOGTAG NECKLACE Macy’s, Eatontown, 732.542.1212

For Dad, With Love

JOHN HARDY NAGA DOUBLE EDGE BRACELET Nordstrom, Freehold, 732.308.1117

Your father or grandfather will think of you every time he wears this stylish new bling.

TAG HEUER AUTAVIA CALIBRE 5 Leonardo Jewelers, Red Bank, 732.747.7880

TATEOSSIAN MEN’S ASTEROID BRACELET Garmany, Red Bank, 732.576.8500

MONMOUTHHEALTHANDLIFE.COM

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JUNE/JULY 2020

FERRAGAMO METALLIC GANCINI RING ferragamo.com

To healthcare heroes everywhere,

THANK YOU

We thank the many healthcare heroes who leave their homes and families every day to serve others during this time of great need. We are proud to be among them, standing strong for our community.

2 Centre Plaza • Tinton Falls, NJ 07724 732.460.5320 ehc.rehab/wctf20

The Joint Commission Disease-Specific Care Certification in Brain Injury Rehabilitation, Cardiac Rehabilitation, Hip Fracture Rehabilitation, Parkinson’s Disease Rehabilitation, Pulmonary Rehabilitation and Stroke Rehabilitation

©2020:Encompass Health Corporation:1662418B-04

{ HOME FRONT } REGINA ANDREW PERENNIAL LANTERN burkedecor.com

BAKER FURNITURE SPIRAL LEG OTTOMAN Red Bank Design Center, Red Bank, 732.991.1588

MASSOUD AUTUMN SPINDLE CHAIR massoudfurniture.com

Take a Spin Spools and spirals turn up the charm in any room.

PALECEK CALYPSO GLASS FLOOR LAMP palecek.com

LINON HOME AIMEE BROWN SPINDLE END TABLE The Home Depot, Hazlet, 732.264.1661

MONMOUTHHEALTHANDLIFE.COM

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JUNE/JULY 2020

ROSALIE FOUR-POSTER BED Anthropologie, Shrewsbury, 732.842.0762

We’re offering an incredible deal on

Glo Science Professional Teeth Whitening!

Our community has been through a lot over the past few months, and all of us are looking forward to resuming our normal habits and routines. While many things have changed, one thing has remained the same: our commitment to your safety.

We’ve made some changes to help serve you!

Appointments will be managed to allow social distancing between patients.

We will do our best to allow greater time between patients to reduce waiting times for you, as well as to reduce the number of patients in the reception area at any one time We look forward to seeing you again and are happy to answer any questions you may have about the steps we take to keep you, and every patient, safe in our practice.

NEW PATIENTS WELCOME

Call Shannon, our Patient Care Coordinator

Bryan Shumaker, D.D.S. 265 Highway 34 Ste. D,Colts Neck, NJ 07722 Bryan Shumaker, D.D.S.

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{ HEALTH NEWS } TUNE IN TO ENDURE

Researchers found that music can increase endurance by 15 percent, so put on your playlist before you start your workout.

1 IN 5

That’s the number of kids and young adults who reported not having a single drop of water on a given day. To help youngsters get the fluids they need and to ensure they stay hydrated, encourage them to refill their water bottles hourly.

—JAMA Pediatrics

“I HAVE A HEADACHE”

—Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology

During perimenopause, women are 60 percent more likely to have frequent headaches. One study showed that taking 600 milligrams of magnesium citrate daily may help.

—Headache

HOLD THE FRIES

Eating fried foods one to three times weekly could increase your risk of stroke and heart attack by as much as 7 percent. Eat it daily and the risk doubles to 14 percent.

—Clinical Nutrition

BOOKS ARE BETTER

When it comes to reading to kids, real books are better than tablets. One study showed that children were more engaged and less likely to fidget when parents were turning the pages of a book versus scrolling on a device.

—JAMA Pediatrics

FIBER FACTS

We know that dietary fiber found in fruits, veggies and legumes is a key to good health. But how much fiber is enough? Researchers have determined that consuming 25 to 29 grams of fiber daily is adequate to lower the risk of heart disease, diabetes and colon cancer.

—Lancet

STATIN NEWS

NEIGHBORLY LOVE

There’s good news for folks with diabetes and heart disease who take statins to reduce “bad” cholesterol.

A study showed a slower decline in brain function affecting memory and cognition among statin users compared with nonusers of the medication.

—Journal of the American College of Cardiology

Here’s another reason to be on good terms with the people next door. A study shows that having a good relationship between neighbors appears to make adolescents more resilient.

—Psychological Medicine

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—Compiled by Paul Rance Jr.

We are here for you and your pets.

We will get through this difficult time together.

Thank you for your continued support.

Price, service and love for your pets prevail daily!

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{ IN GOOD HEALTH }

HELPING THE HEROES

Monmouth Medical Center’s frontline workers get a boost from community donations.

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, images of doctors and nurses with raw, bruised faces from hours endured behind personal protective equipment (PPE) have become widespread. Today, staff at Monmouth Medical Center (MMC) are getting relief from the pressure on their ears from the elastic straps of face masks thanks to the generosity of an Ocean Township resident.

Frontline staff at Monmouth Medical Center show off their headbands.

Alix Hayes makes stretch headbands with buttons in her Ocean Township home.

Alix Hayes has donated more than 200 homemade stretch headbands with buttons on the side to make wearing masks less painful. Hayes, who works in corporate communications and “felt helpless sending $20 here and there for meals while sitting in her home office,” says she is “not a big sewer, but can do a button.”

What started in late March as a one-woman shop has been expanded to a small army of adult and teenage volunteers who are assisting with the sewing.

“I have a little army right now: adult and college and high school students who are helping out,” says Hayes, who has experience organizing volunteer activities as the PTA president of her children’s Ocean Township elementary

school. “I believe we have made nearly 500 headbands so far, with the largest percentage going to MMC, but we have donated to other area hospitals, including RWJBarnabas Health sister hospitals RWJUH New Brunswick and Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, and care facilities as well.”

The cost of the headbands and buttons has been paid by Hayes, with additional donations by a family friend, who is a retired nurse, as well as additional donors. “Of course, we’re doing this all for free; it’s the least we can do,” she adds.

She has scoured local dollar and discount stores as well as online outlets that offer inexpensive headbands, fashioning what she describes as “dude head wraps” out of solid stretch material for men who are working on the front line at the hospital.

“Everyone wants to help in any way they can,” she says, adding a neighbor recently dropped off 100 buttons. “It’s become a real community effort.”

At MMC, the headbands have been distributed to frontline staff, and the response has been incredible, according to Maureen Bowe, administrative director of Critical Care, Renal Services and Nursing Resources for the hospital.

“Everyone loved the headbands with the but-

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tons so the masks don’t hurt your ears,” Bowe says. “We love that our community is thinking of all of us—so thoughtful and so generous too!”

Local hospital workers who would like a headband free of charge, with Ocean Township pick-up, can email healinghairbands@gmail.com.

CF PATIENT GIVES BACK Bordentown residents Kelsey and Dave Hess have found a unique way to help frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kelsey, who has been a patient of Monmouth Medical Center’s Cystic Fibrosis Center since she was a young child, and Dave have donated medical-grade face shields made with a 3D printer to the frontline staff at MMC, the first hospital they chose to receive the donations.

Since the start of the pandemic, the two have been making face shields with their 3D printer for health care providers and first responders all over the state, including MMC sister hospital Saint Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston.

Diagnosed at five months old with cystic fibrosis—a genetic, progressive disease that causes persistent lung infections that limit her ability to breathe—Kelsey made the donation to MMC through Robert Zanni, M.D., the hospital’s chief of pediatric pulmonology and medical

“We love that our community is thinking of all of us—so thoughtful and so generous too!”

—Maureen Bowe, administrative director of Critical Care, Renal Services and Nursing Resources

Lillian and Logan Hess help prepare face shields for donation to Monmouth Medical Center.

ago as a gift for Dave. After some momentum generated by social media posts and a Facebook fundraising campaign, they have been able to buy two more printers and have increased their output, to date donating about 500 shields.

There’s been a renewed interest in at-home 3D printing now that the machines can be used for making simple COVID-19 safety gear. A 3D printer works by extruding molten plastic through a tiny nozzle that moves under computer control. It prints one layer, delays during drying, then prints the next layer, eventually creating a physical replication of a digital design.

“Working with a single printer, we started making about 30 face shields a day, eventually boosting production to about 45 each day, and now with the additional printers, we are able to produce about 75 to 80 a day,” says Dave, who adds that they have purchased rolls of filament through retailers such as Amazon and Micro Center. “The great thing about 3D printers is that you can adapt the design to your specific printer and the materials you have.”

Designs for face shields are essentially a headband with the ability to attach a clear plastic sheet to the front. Jason Montero, director of distribution of MMC, notes that the hospital’s respiratory therapy team loves the homemade shields.

Eric Carney, president and CEO of MMC, praised the ingenuity of community members like Alix Hayes and Kelsey and Dave Hess for finding unique ways to help health care workers on the frontline of the COVID-19 pandemic. “It’s

director of the Cystic Fibrosis Center. She has been a patient of the center since she was 10, and she transitioned to the adult program when she reached her 20s.

“I’ve been with the entire team at the CF Center for many years, and was so happy to make Monmouth Medical Center the first hospital that we donated to,” said Kelsey, a stay-athome mom who is currently navigating the waters of quarantine and schooling their 5-year-old daughter and 3-year-old son. “Even though the hospital is more than an hour away, it is where I go with any health issues and is where I had both my children.

Monmouth Medical Center has a very special place in my heart.”

When the COVID-19 crisis hit New Jersey, they wanted to make a difference so they started producing face shields using the 3D printer Kelsey had purchased a couple of years Dave, Kelsey and Lillian Hess and Robert Zanni, M.D., chief of pediatric

pulmonology and medical director of the Cystic Fibrosis Center at MMC

so inspiring in times of crisis to see our community come together to support each other,” Carney says. “At Monmouth, I see it day in and day out in the tireless dedication of our staff to our patients and each other. And I have seen it from the start of this health crisis in the generosity of our community—donations like these are truly a testament to the power of people to come together in a crisis to help each other.”

SELFLESS STUDENTS Trinity Hall student Lydia Lu, 16, daughter of Stanley Lu, M.D., director of the Radiology Residency Program at Monmouth Medical Center, and her classmates spent their spring break making masks for healthcare workers.

In total, Lu and her friends Kathleen Devine, Faith King, Nora Phillips, Riley Raymond, Ellie Thompson, Melina Conhagen, Lila Greene, Sofia Paparella and Caroline Cashman donated 93 masks to MMC and Shrewsbury Diagnostic Imaging.

Stanley Lu, M.D., program director for the Radiology Residency Program, Lydia Lu, Cheryl Solon, MSW, director of development for the MMC Foundation, and Jason Montero, director of distribution at MMC

To learn how to support Monmouth Medical Center’s Emergency Response Fund, visit rwjbh.org/heroes.

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{ IN GOOD HEALTH }

MAKING A CONNECTION For COVID-19 patients in isolation, an artistic gesture creates a feeling of togetherness.

For patients hospitalized with COVID-19, the stay can feel extremely isolating because visitor restrictions mean they don’t have family there, and the staff providing their care have to limit their time in the room as well.

Lisa Nunez, a patient care associate on one of Monmouth Medical Center’s COVID patient units, has found a colorful way to address this isolation by adding a human touch to each patient room on her unit. Eric Carney, MMC president and CEO, recently shared in one of his ongoing COVID-19 briefings to staff the story of how Nunez was using her artistic talent and creativity to draw colorful pictures, customized based on the patient’s request, on the glass door panels of each room.

“Patients who have been hospitalized since the start of the COVID-19 health crisis understand that the environment is like nothing we have ever experienced,” Carney says. “The isolation rooms and extensive use of masks, gowns and eye protection can be quite unsettling to patients and makes forming a connection with the patient much more difficult for our caregivers. This is an amazing way to bring in a little color, and a little fun, into these very difficult times.”

Nunez said that her role as a patient care associate, who provide direct patient care under the supervision of a registered nurse, normally allows her to form close bonds with her patients, and she has found that the drawings—made with liquid chalk window markers—have allowed her to continue to connect with them in a personal way.

“I always try to treat my patients like family, spending extra time with them whenever possible,” she said, recalling one elderly patient who was like a grandmother to her, adding she would find time each day to watch some of the evening news with, and another lonely patient who she would sit with and paint her nails. “With all of the precautions in place due to COVID-19, that’s not possible now, so I needed to find another way to form a bond.”

Each drawing is unique and based on the patient’s background or interest. For example, she learned that one patient loves spending

time in Florida, and drew palm trees and an ocean scene to remind him of his happy place.

During the recent holiday season, she decorated windows with Easter and Passover images, and for patients who are too ill to speak, she will draw happy images such as rainbows, sunshine, birds and flowers.

Studies have shown that art therapy is effective in reducing stress, decreasing anxiety, and increasing positive emotions for people facing a health crisis. She points to recently discharged patient Juana Samol, a member of the housekeeping staff at MMC, who was so moved by her drawings that she asked to have her picture taken at her window before leaving the hospital.

“When Juana was first hospitalized, she was quite scared, so I drew a rainbow and hearts and wrote ‘Feel better Juana’,” Nunez says.

Samol, who is home recovering and reports feeling better and stronger every day, calls Nunez a beautiful butterfly.

“When I saw the rainbow on my window, I thought, ‘I am the luckiest person in the world to have someone do this for me’,” Samol says.

“Lisa is so amazing and kind—she and some of the other staff accompanied me to my ride when I got discharged and made me feel so special. I am so grateful to all of the wonderful doctors and nurses, the food services and housekeeping staff—everyone who took such great care of me.”

In addition to patients, studies have also shown that caregivers who are stressed can greatly benefit from coloring. Noting the positive affect the drawings have had on her own stress level, Nunez, a nursing student who worked for 10 years as a director of a YMCA child care center prior to joining Monmouth Medical Center, said the drawings have had a positive reaction from her co-workers as well.

“There is so much stress for the frontline staff caring for patients who are often very ill with COVID, she said. “When I notice that one of my colleagues is having a particularly tough day, I hand them the markers and tell them to go color and create some art.”

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Top: Juana Samol, a Monmouth Medical Center employee who was hospitalized with the coronavirus, shows off the art created by patient care associate Lisa Nunez. At press time, Samol was recovering at home. Bottom: Nunez has been adding a colorful touch to hospital rooms by drawing pictures on the glass panels of each door. The drawings are based on patients’ requests.

FACING NEW CHALLENGES

Clinical dietitian Cindy Kwiatkowski ensures COVID patients get the nutrition they need for recovery. to make sure they are optimizing nutrition and that the paCritical care dietitian Cindy Kwiatkowski, M.S., R.D., CNSC, tients are tolerating the nutrition well. marks her 32nd anniversary with Monmouth Medical Center “We are observing severe muscle and weight loss in these in July, and of those years, 30 have been spent providing nutripatients, and in an effort to counter that we are constantly retional care to people who have been admitted to the intensive evaluating their protein and caloric intakes and making sure care unit (ICU) in a life-threatening condition. Caring for pawe are aware of any changes in their condition,” she says. tients during the COVID-19 pandemic has been, she says, the “When patients are critically ill, they can retain water weight, biggest challenge of her long career. so the weight loss we are seeing in these COVID patients is Clinical dietitians like Kwiatkowski are playing a crucial likely even more severe than it appears. We do generally see role in the fight to save lives on the front line of the pandemic. patients in ICU who face similar nutritional challenges, as they They are experts in assessing the nutritional demands of each are obviously very ill, but with COVID patients, the nutritional patient, taking into account the age, gender, laboratory data Cindy Kwiatkowski, crisis is more heightened and prolonged.” and other underlying medical conditions that are essential to M.S., R.D., CNSC To stay aware of all of the best practices in her field, Kwiatensuring each patient receives the right amount of nutrition kowski attends weekly webinars and reads literature and comto aid recovery from their acute illness and to support their municates regularly with peers around the country to try and stay as current ongoing rehab when they recover. as possible with treatment modalities.

“It has been challenging to say the least working during the COVID-19 “There is so much uncertainty with a new disease with a presentation pandemic,” she says. “Under normal circumstances, a typical part of our that in some ways looks like certain illnesses we have seen before, and we evaluation is to talk to the patients about their nutrient intake prior to adhave to figure out what we can apply from what we know to prevent weight mission, and if the patient is unable to speak, we will talk to family memand muscle loss,” she says, adding that they are seeing patients in the ICU bers. We also perform a physical exam to look for signs of muscle or fat as young as their early 30s. wasting, and with the current restrictions in place, we are not able to do Because critical care dietitians like Kwiatkowski have highly developed these things.” knowledge, skills and expertise to manage the complex issues seen in critiMost of the hospitalized COVID-19 patients are in a critical care setting, cally ill patients, during the COVID-19 pandemic, her role has included the and often they are sedated and breathing with the assistance of a ventilatraining of non-critical care dietitians to assist in managing the increasing tor, and have very high caloric needs due to the inflammatory disease state. numbers of critically ill patients that have been admitted.

Their nutrition, hydration and medications are often delivered through feed“Typically, we have never had as many as 17 on tube feedings at any ing tubes, which are used to deliver protein and calories prescribed to meet given time housewide; now we are managing up to 21 tube feeders on a the demands on the body during critical illness. Noting that many of these daily basis,” she says. “One of the drugs used to sedate people in ICU conpatients were very sick for a week or more before coming to the hospital, tain calories from fat that need to be accounted for when prescribing feeding Kwiatkowski says they are already far behind the nutritional curve when regimens.” they are admitted.

The incredible teamwork that it has taken to manage such a large critical “What we have seen in patients when they come in is that their desire to care patient population has played a key role in the hospital’s successful reeat is already very low due to the loss of appetite as well as sense of taste sponse to the pandemic, according to and smell that is very common with Kwiatkowski. this virus,” she says. “And for those “A positive I will take from this patients not being fed by tubes, health crisis is seeing the nursing feeding them is very challenging. staff who have never worked in Normally on the ICU and medical ICU—we have retired ICU nurses floors, patient care associates sit who have returned to help and nurswith patients and feed them or enes who normally work in the OR, in courage them to eat, but that’s not Case Management or in outpatient possible now because they have settings working at the bedside in a to limit their time in the patient critical care setting,” she says. “To rooms.” see the ICU nurses and so many A part of the team with the docnurses from other areas come togethtors, nurses, respiratory theraer as one functional team practically pists and pharmacist that rounds overnight has been an amazing thing daily on the critical care units, to be a part of. This has really been she says the dietitian is able to a strength that we were able to pull do real-time adjustments to the together with such incredible team patients’ nutritional plan of care spirit to deliver the best possible care daily based on observation and For more stories about Monmouth Medical Center’s for our patients.” the laboratory and clinical values frontline heroes, visit https://bit.ly/2WTknSX

For important COVID-19 information and updates, visit rwjbh.org/monmouth and click on the link in the yellow bar.

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{ IN GOOD HEALTH }

THE RIGHT CHOICE

When his COVID symptoms worsened, an Ocean Grove man turned to Monmouth Medical Center—his “go-to” hospital—for help.

After a recent cardiac procedure, Albert Dorsey began monitoring his temperature on Saturday, March 14 at his cardiologist’s request. By Tuesday, the 64-year-old Ocean Grove resident was consistently spiking a fever, found himself sleeping nearly 16 hours each night and had nearly no appetite. He also began having more pronounced trouble breathing. As instructed by his cardiologist, Dorsey called his general practitioner for an appointment for an evaluation.

His doctor took one listen to his lungs and ordered a chest X-ray and COVID-19 test. On Wednesday, Dorsey’s X-ray showed he had pneumonia. He was tested for COVID-19 on Thursday. Dorsey’s symptoms persisted, and 48-hours later he found out he was positive for COVID-19.

At the time, there was no reason for Dorsey to go to the hospital. He was managing at home so he self-isolated and continued to monitor his symptoms. By Sunday, however, his breathing became extremely labored, especially when he would lay down. In fact, he woke up at 2 a.m. and had to sit on the edge of his bed for 20 minutes just to catch his breath. His blood oxygen level was in the 80s.

Dorsey was unable to sleep the rest of the night. Simply lying down made it nearly impossible for him to breathe. Even sitting in a chair was taxing. On Monday morning, his family knew it was time to get him medical attention.

His daughter, Jane Dorsey, drove him to Mon-

Albert Dorsey with his wife, Mary

mouth Medical Center in Long Branch where he was immediately taken into the Emergency Department and isolated in his own room. The staff began treating Dorsey right away. He received oxygen and a strict and aggressive pharmacological treatment. Luckily, by Tuesday morning he felt like he could finally breathe again. The treatments and medications seemed to be working after only 24 hours.

Dorsey stayed in a negative pressure room to contain the virus. Therefore, his room was always cold. Dorsey was allowed to wear his own clothes to help keep warm, but because no visitors were allowed, his kids were not able to bring any personal items directly to him. Instead, the nurses made special arrangements with his family to get him everything he needed.

Despite the common anxiety and uncertainty surrounding a COVID-19 diagnosis, Dorsey never felt those concerns. He credits much of that to what he calls the “terrific staff” at MMC. Doctors from various disciplines, the nurse practitioners and the entire nursing staff treated him with immense care under less than ideal conditions.

“The entire staff could not have been more accommodating, capable and solicitous,” Dorsey says. “Every time a nurse came in my room for the many things they were doing, they always asked how I was doing, how I was feeling and if I needed anything. They all went out of their way to make sure I felt comfortable at all times.

“Everyone was phenomenal,” he continues.

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“Even with the masks and the gloves and the gowns on, their bedside manner helped me not to feel nervous or concerned about being in the hospital with COVID-19. I trusted them completely. I knew I was in good hands.”

Despite living closer to other hospitals in the area, Dorsey has always considered MMC as his “go-to” hospital. In fact, all four of his children and his granddaughter were born at MMC. “When I realized I was going to have to be hospitalized for COVID-19, I knew immediately I needed to go right to Monmouth Medical Center,” Dorsey says. “I’m glad I went. Top to bottom, they were fantastic and I’m proof of it.”

By the end of the week, he was feeling what he would describe as almost completely better.

Dorsey was discharged Saturday, March 28 with instructions to self-isolate. He went home and although his wife had also contracted COVID-19, she was able to recover safely at home without a trip to the hospital. His sons and daughter cared for them while they were quarantined at home, cooking and making sure they were comfortable and had everything they needed.

During Dorsey’s first week home, he continued to sleep nearly 12 hours a night. By April 4, he was back to sleeping normally and feeling 100 percent better. Dorsey and his wife have both made a complete recovery and everyone in his family is doing well. He credits his recovery to the care he received at Monmouth Medical Center.

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{ DESIGN SOLUTIONS }

HOME

OFFICE SPACE Quarantined? Or has home long been your 9-to5 HQ? Either way, here’s inspiration for an office so stylish you’ll be glad you live there.

By Haley Longman

Photography by Vic Wahby

Maybe your home office looks as if Oscar Madison works there. Or you’re banging out business emails these days in a corner of a room that does double duty. But one thing is clear: Tech has made “working from home” an enduring thing, and for many of us it will endure—at least as an option—when the COVID-19 pandemic is a mere memory.

So it’s time to make your home work space work for you.

On the following pages, you’ll see how four New Jersey families created home offices (with the help of design pros) that reflect their needs and tastes. Let these “rooms” spark your own creativity—in whatever space in your home you dedicate to getting down to business.

OUR DESIGNERS:

Nancy Lucas N. Lucas Interiors, Sea Girt

Lisa Schiller Scotch Plains

Judy Sturdevant Freeman Hall Design, Westfield

MONMOUTHHEALTHANDLIFE.COM

Jennifer Pacca Jennifer Pacca Interiors, Hillsdale

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A PLACE OF HER OWN This home office is one bright, contemporary room in this family’s secondary residence in Sea Girt, where they spend summers and holidays. (Their main residence is in Britain’s capital.) Nine years after purchasing the “dark and overly ornate” French-country-style home, they hired Nancy Lucas of N. Lucas Interiors and Decorating Den Interiors in Monmouth County to turn this room into a “bright and streamlined” space.

This office is located in the master bedroom suite, a haven for the parents of four. But the man of the house has his own separate work area—this one is designated for the matriarch, who wanted a space dedicated exclusively to her in which she could do her finance work and also just unwind (hence the plush sofa). “She didn’t want drawers or anything like that,” the designer says. “She just wanted to be able to have her laptop and a really clean space that was bright, airy and comfortable.” Mission accomplished.

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LESS IS MORE Designer Lisa Schiller sought two main qualities when planning her own home office in Scotch Plains. It had to be “far away from the main living area” and “open, bright and free of clutter” so as not to hinder her creativity.

So she transformed her sunroom, located 60 feet down the hall from the living room in her ranch-style home, into her own personal hideaway (though she admits her husband sneaks in on the weekends to watch TV away from the kids). Schiller designed around meaningful pieces—“the couch and desk were 25 years old and from my apartment in New York City,” she says—and added in stylistic elements she loves, such as a neutral palette with bursts of bold animal prints and stripes.

Her advice for others designing their own home office? “It doesn’t have to be a room with bookshelves, a big desk and a computer,” she says. “Now, thanks to technology, we can have the bare minimum of what we need to work.”

A HOME RUN Why not make a favorite hobby or passion the design inspiration for your personalized workspace? That’s what designer Judy Sturdevant of Freeman Hall Design in Westfield did in this Summit bedroom for her clients’ 23-year-old son, who visits on weekends and needed a room where he could both sleep and get some work done (his employer is a technology consulting firm).

“Our clients requested an open plan that would create ample desk and storage space,” Sturdevant says, “as well as showcase their son’s beloved autographed Yankees memorabilia collection.” Using the baseball team’s bold blue hue as inspiration, she built a bespoke desk by the windowsill to make the most of the natural light.

“Choose somewhere [for a home office] that the lighting and/or view will impact your productivity and well-being most positively,” the designer advises. She also installed shelving units flanking the desk on both sides. Gold accents in the drawer hardware, brass fittings and lighting elements add contrast and a more modern vibe. “A clean and pleasing aesthetic was of utmost importance to our client,” says Sturdevant.

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{ DESIGN SOLUTIONS }

MASCULINE RETREAT Style meets function in this blue-and-white home office situated on the main floor of a house in Bergenfield. It was designed for the husband in finance, who works from home quite often even during ordinary times. Hillsdale-based designer Jennifer Pacca says it needed to be both “handsome and pretty. We thought the navy-and-white lent itself to this; it has a masculine feel, yet the white keeps it bright.”

The clients wanted built-ins and concealed storage, which they got in the bookcase behind the desk, as well as ample seating, present in the form of two additional desk chairs and a cushioned window seat. “It’s not that big a room but we maximized the space by keeping the walls and shelving light,” Pacca says, “and just using the pieces we needed.”

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{ OUTDOORS }

RETURN TO NATURE Break your cabin fever and kiss the sunshine. The great outdoors beckons and our county has plenty of spaces to enjoy and soak up some sun.

After all, the malls are still closed!

HORSEBACK RIDING

Embrace our county’s rich equine history and take the opportunity to ride. Monmouth has a bevy of stables that cater to riders of all ages and skills.

ABOUT TIME STABLES 278 Spring Valley Rd. Morganville 908.433.6064 BAYMAR HORSE FARMS 38 Harbor Rd. Morganville 732.591.9600 baymarfarms.com BEACON HILL SHOW STABLES 55 Laird Rd. Colts Neck 732.332.0800 beaconhillstables.com BELLA ROSA RIDING ACADEMY 151 Oak Glen Rd. Howell 732.938.5445 bellarosara.com CIRCLE A RIDING ACADEMY 116 Herbertsville Rd. Howell 732.938.2004 FREE SPIRIT FARM 184 Siloam Rd. Freehold 732.637.9686 freespiritfarmnj.com GOOD TIMES FARM 278 Jackson Mills Rd. Freehold 732.409.2882 goodtimefarm.com HAPPY TAILS THERAPEUTIC RIDING 381 Rte. 537 W. Colts Neck 908.902.8876 happytailstr.com

HIGHLAND FARM 180 Whipporwill Valley Rd. Atlantic Highlands 732.576.8911 highlandfarmsnj.com KNIGHTSBRIDGE FARM 181 Whipporwill Valley Rd. Middletown 732.212.2813 knightsbridgefarms.com LANCASTER EQUESTRIAN 551 Cooper Rd. Red Bank 732.421.6791 lancasterequestrian.com NEVERGREEN FARM 395 Casino Dr. Farmingdale 732.256.9271 nevergreenfarm.com PAINTED PONY RIDING ACADEMY 88 Obre Rd. Colts Neck 732.771.3962 paintedponynj.com SANDSTONE STABLES 121 Five Points Rd. Colts Neck 732.674.3203 sandstonestablesnj.com SERENITY AT LAST FARM 1064 Maxim Southard Rd. Howell 732.216.1364 serenityatlastfarm.com

STARGATE FARM 631 Rte. 524 Allentown 732.740.3981 stargatefarm.com STONEHEDGE STABLES 39 Willow Brook Rd. Colts Neck 732.409.3800 stonehed gestables.com SUNNYSIDE EQUESTRIAN CENTER 628 MiddletownLincroft Rd. Middletown 732.224.1367 THE EQUESTRIAN EXPERIENCE 260 Burlington Rd. Freehold 908.334.1042 theequestrianexperience .com TRUE CONNECTIONS STABLE 211 Bennett Rd. Freehold Twp. 732.492.0133 trueconnectionsstable .com Editor’s note—Amenities such as locker rooms and restrooms may be closed due to ongoing COVID-19 concerns. Check with individual facilities for details.

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KAYAKING

Whether you want to explore or exercise, Monmouth County waterways are perfect for any adventure or workout.

A CANOE TO YOU Matawan 732.765.9342 acanoetoyou.com

MANASQUAN RESERVOIR Howell 732.919.0996 monmouthcountyparks.com

BAYSHORE WATERFRONT PARK Port Monmouth 732.787.3033 monmouthcountyparks.com

MANASQUAN RIVER VIA THE HOWELL PARK GOLF COURSE Farmingdale 732.938.4771 monmouthcountyparks.com

MANASQUAN RIVER GREENWAY Farmingdale 732.462.7286 monmouthcountyparks.com PADDLE OUT Manasquan 732.223.3131 paddleoutmanasquan.com

PADDLE TIME KAYAKS Multiple locations along the Shark River Neptune 732.449.2593 paddletimekayaks.com RED BANK MARINA Red Bank 732.741.3320 redbankmarina.org

BIRD WATCHING

There’s no better time than now to start a new stress-free hobby. Commune with nature at these great spots and see how many of New Jersey’s feathered friends you can find, from eagles and egrets to hawks and herons.

BIG BROOK PARK REGION GRASS-LANDS, 521 Rte. 520, Marlboro, boasts a mixture of habitats including scrub-shrub areas that support species like the vesper sparrows.

MANASQUAN RIVER GREENWAY, 106 Havens Bridge Rd., Farmingdale, provides refuge for migrating landbirds and wintering waterfowl.

THOMPSON PARK MARLU LAKE Lincroft 732.842.4000, ext. 4312 monmouthcountyparks.com TURKEY SWAMP PARK Freehold 732.462.7286 monmouthcountyparks.com

DEAL LAKE DOCK CO. Asbury Park deallakedock.com

ASSUNPINK WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA, 1 Eldrige Rd., Allentown, features three lakes that are popular resting spots for migratory waterfowl.

SANDY HOOK KAYAKS Highlands 732.708.4004 sandyhookkayaks.com

NAVESINK AND SHREWSBURY RIVERS, breeding grounds for the bald eagle, listed as endangered in the state, and the osprey, listed as threatened.

NORTH SHORE COASTAL PONDS COMPLEX, from the Manasquan inlet to Sandy Hook, is where piping plovers and least terns, among many other species, breed and forage.

Raritan Bay and Southern Shore host many state-listed species during breeding season including black skimmers.

TURKEY SWAMP WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA, 200 Georgia Rd., Freehold, is the nearly 4,000-acre home to several forest-breeding species and a critical stopover habitat for songbirds during spring and fall migration.

UPPER FREEHOLD GRASSLANDS, an exceptional site for the northern bobwhite, field sparrow, eastern woodpewee and American kestrel.

The land includes a part of the Crosswicks Creek Greenway and farmland in Upper Freehold.

SANDY HOOK GATEWAY NATIONAL RECREATION AREA, 26 Hudson Rd., Highlands, where as many as 600 least terns and 60 piping plovers have nested. A major stop along the migration pathway for more than 340 species traveling the Atlantic Flyway.

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{ OUTDOORS }

FISHING

For the catch of the day, head to one of the state’s freshwater fisheries—the stock is eager to take your bait.

The Manasquan Reservoir in Howell is a good place to catch largemouth bass as well as bullhead catfish, muskie, sunfish, bluegill and black crappie. Angling for bluefish, striped bass or summer flounder? Head to the Navesink River, which runs about 8 miles through Monmouth County.

Don’t be surprised to find a largemouth bass on your line at Assunpink Lake, which sits between Allentown and Upper Freehold. Hybrid striped bass, catfish and bluegill are also plentiful here.

Don’t forget that a New Jersey fishing license is required for anyone between the ages of 16 and 70. Fees are $22.50 for ages 16 to 64 and $12.50 for 65 to 69. To obtain a license, visit njfishandwildlife.com.

Patrons should be aware that many onsite shops and facilities remain closed.

GOLF

Sports went on hiatus during the pandemic, but it’s time for weekend warriors to get back into the swing of things. Monmouth County golf courses are open for athletes who missed the competition, as well as those who want to enjoy a round with friends.

BEL-AIRE GOLF COURSE 3120 Allaire Rd. Wall 732.449.6024 belairegolfcourse.com CHARLESTON SPRINGS GOLF COURSE 101 Woodville Rd. Millstone 732.409.7227 charlestonsprings.com COLTS NECK GOLF CLUB 50 Flock Rd. Colts Neck 732.303.9330 coltsneckgolfclub.com CREAM RIDGE GOLF COURSE 181 Rte. 539 Cream Ridge 609.208.0050 creamridgegolfcourse.com CRUZ GOLF COUNTRY CLUB 55 Birdsall Rd. Farmingdale 732.938.3378 cruzgolfcc.com

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GAMBLER RIDGEGOLF CLUB 121 Burlington Path Rd. Cream Ridge 609.758.3588 gamblerridge.com HOMINY HILL GOLF COURSE 92 Mercer Rd. Colts Neck 732.462.9222 hominyhill.com HOWELL PARK GOLF COURSE 405 Squankum Yellowbrook Rd. Farmingdale 732.938.4771 howellpark.com KNOB HILL GOLF CLUB 1 Shinnecock Dr. Manalapan 732.792.7722 knobhillgc.com PEBBLE CREEK GOLF CLUB 40 Rte. 537 E. Colts Neck 732.303.9090 pebblecreekgolfclub.com

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SUNEAGLES GOLF CLUB 2000 Lowther Dr. Eatontown 732.389.4300 suneaglesgolf.com PINE BROOK GOLF COURSE 1 Covered Bridge Blvd.

Manalapan 732.536.7272 pinebrookgolfcourse.com

TWIN BROOK GOLF CENTER 1251 Jumping Brook Rd. Tinton Falls 732.922.1600 twinbrookgolfcenter.com

QUAIL RIDGE Golf World 1770 Rte. 34 Wall 732.681.1800 quailridgegolfworld.com

WILLIAM F. LARKIN GOLF COURSE AT COLONIAL TERRACE 1003 Wickapecko Dr. Ocean 732.775.3636 colonialterracegolf.com

SHARK RIVER GOLF COURSE 320 Old Corlies Ave. Neptune 732.922.4141 monmouthcountyparks.com SPRING MEADOW GOLF COURSE 4181 Atlantic Ave. Farmingdale 732.449.0806 springmeadowgc.com

Editor’s note—Amenities such as locker rooms and restrooms may be closed due to ongoing COVID-19 concerns. Check with individual facilities for details.

PARKS

After months of quarantining, a breath of fresh air is exactly what you need.

Monmouth County is home to some of the best spaces, lakes and trails where you can catch a little R&R. Just remember to enjoy Mother Nature responsibly—and practice social distancing!

ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS

HOLMDEL

MARLBORO

OCEANPORT

COLTS NECK

HOWELL

CHEESEQUAKE 300 Gordon Rd. 732.566.2161

MATAWAN

PORT MONMOUTH

MOUNT MITCHILL SCENIC OVERLOOK 460 Ocean Blvd.

732.872.0336

DORBROOK RECREATION AREA 353 Rte. 537 732.542.1642

FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP For parks information call 732.294.2190 DUCHESS COURT 20 Duchess Ct. DURAND 225 Randolph Rd. GREENTREE 75 Cold Spring Rd. MEDFORD 1 Medford Blvd.

MICHAEL J. TIGHE 65 Georgia Rd. OPATUT 458 E. Freehold Rd. ORCHARD HILLS 145 Joysan Ter. SANDY BROOK 10 Parkside Ave.

HISTORIC LONGSTREET FARM 44 Longstreet Rd. 732.946.3758 MANASQUAN RESERVOIR 311 Windeler Rd. 732.919.0996

MIDDLETOWN

LINCROFT

SUNNYSIDE RECREATION AREA 628 MiddletownLincroft Rd. 732.224.1367 THOMPSON 805 Newman Springs Rd. 732.842.4000, ext. 4312

LONG BRANCH

SEVEN PRESIDENTS OCEANFRONT 1 Joline Ave. 732.229.0924

MANALAPAN

MONMOUTH BATTLEFIELD 16 Rte. 33 732.462.9616

MANASQUAN

BIG BROOK 521 Rte. 520 732.842.4000

DEEP CUT GARDENS 152 Red Hill Rd. 732.671.6050

WOLF HILL 3 Crescent Pl. 732.229.7025 BAYSHORE 719 Port Monmouth Rd. 732.787.3033

UPPER FREEHOLD

CLAYTON 161 Emley’s Hill Rd. 609.259.5794

HARTSHORNE WOODS CROSSWICKS CREEK 300 Navesink Ave. Rte. 537 732.872.0336 609.259.5794 HUBER WOODS 25 Brown’s Dock Rd. 732.872.0336 TATUM 151 Red Hill Rd. 732.671.6050

MILLSTONE Perrineville Lake 143 Baird Rd. 732.842.4000

OAKHURST

WELTZ 650 W. Park Ave. 732.229.7025

UNION TRANSPORTATION TRAIL 114 Jonathan Holmes Rd. 609.259.5794

WALL

ALLAIRE 4265 Atlantic Ave. 732.938.2371

A walk around the neighborhood and a ride down the city streets are nice, but sometimes you want to make waves. Splash down in your cabin cruiser, rowboat or canoe and enjoy the day on the water.

CHARTER BOATS ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS

CLASSIC BOAT RIDES 732.337.9292 classicboatrides.com DOROTHY B. 732.616.8378 dorothyb.com MI-JO 732.872.0121 njfishing.com/mi-jo

BELMAR

SHARK RIVER 1101 Schoolhouse Rd. 732.922.4080

FISHERMAN’S COVE 383 Third Ave. 732.922.4080

BOATING

CELTIC STOIRM 732.742.9276 celticstoirm.com FIN-OMINAL Fishing Charters 732.489.1463 finominalcharters.com KATIE H SPORTFISHING 908.600.6413 katiehsportfishing.com

SARGENT 50 Sargent Rd.

HIGHLANDS

JUST ONE MORE 908.472.2684 just1morecharters.com NETKEEPER SPORTFISHING 862.222.0913 netkeeperfishing.com REEL FUNSPORT FISHING 908.421.4761 reelfunsportfishing.com SANDY HOOK FISHING ADVENTURES 848.218.2425 sandyhookfishing.com SCALES N TALES 908.477.7537 sntfishing.com TAGGED FISH CHARTERS 732.895.7830 taggedfishcharters.com

KEYPORT

STONEHURST 240 Stonehurst Blvd.

PARKER PETE’S 732.496.5028 parkerpetefishing.com

DOUBLE DOWN II SPORTFISHING CHARTERS 908.915.6416 doubledown2.com

TURKEY SWAMP 200 Georgia Rd. 732.462.7286

SHARK INLET CHARTERS 732.513.3895 sharkinletcharters.com

PAPA’S ANGELS CHARTERS 973.277.3096 papasangelscharters.com

WHITTIER OAKS 500 E. Freehold Rd.

TERI JEAN II 732.280.7364 terijean.com

MANASQUAN

WOODCREST 55 Spruce St.

XTC SPORTFISHING 732.616.3763 xtcsportfishing.com

WOODGATE 100 Ticonderoga Blvd.

CAPTAIN CAL II 732.977.2020 captaincal2.com

WYNNEFIELD 130 Hibernia Way

HIGHLANDS

GATEWAY NATIONAL RECREATION AREA 26 Hudson Rd. 718.354.4606 HENRY HUDSON TRAIL POPAMORA POINT 369 Shore Dr. 732.495.2115

OCEAN EXPLORER 848.565.0519 oceanexplorerbelmar.com

BRIELLE

Editor’s note—All playgrounds, playing fields and public restrooms are closed. Many parks have portable restrooms that patrons may use.

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BOGAN’S DEEP SEA FISHING CENTER 732.528.5014 bogansbasin.com

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JENNY LEE SPORTFISHING 732.995.7879 jennyleesportfishing.com

MIDDLETOWN

CHARTER SAILS 732.801.7472 chartersails.com NAVESINK YACHTS 732.671.9358 navesinkyacht.com Editor’s note—Many operators are enforcing limited rider capacities as a result of ongoing COVID-19 concerns.

Passengers and crew are asked to wear appropriate face covering.

{ OUTDOORS }

DOWN THE SHORE :

BACK TO THE BEACHES

COVID-19 kept us quarantined throughout spring, but rest assured we won’t get shut out for summer. Our beaches are open for sun bathers, surfers and anyone who needs to get away from it all. Not sure where to go? Be sure to check out one of these hot spots—in Monmouth and beyond!

ASBURY PARK

BELMAR

SANDY HOOK

BARNEGAT LIGHT

CAPE MAY

POINT PLEASANT BEACH

Description: Though many businesses are still closed because of the pandemic, a walking tour of town will take you past iconic music venues, art galleries and buildings in Victorian, Gothic, Federal Revival and other styles.

Beach fees: $5 daily for adults, $7 weekends and holidays, FREE for 12 and under Beach parking: Payable at kiosk or via ParkMobile app Pets: Prohibited on the beach until Sept. 15. The Eighth Avenue Dog Beach is closed for the summer.

For more information, call 732.502.8863.

Description: Located on the northern tip of Long Beach Island in Ocean County, the family shore town has something for everyone. The beach offers surf fishing, bay fishing and crabbing, while the Barnegat Lighthouse State Park is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike.

Beach fees: $5 daily, $22 weekly (Saturday through Friday), $12 weekly for seniors Beach Parking: FREE at Barnegat Lighthouse and on side streets in designated areas Pets: Prohibited on the beach until fall.

For more information, call 609.494.9196.

Description: The family-friendly beach stretches 1.2 miles and features a small boardwalk with food and refreshment vendors. Additional eateries and taverns (open for takeout only) are located less than a mile away on Main Street.

Beach fees: $9 daily for adults, FREE for 15 and under, active military members and veterans Beach parking: Payable via ParkMobile app for beachfront; FREE on side streets.

Pets: Prohibited on the beach until fall.

For more information, call 732.681.3700.

Description: If you want a quick getaway from home, Cape May is just a short drive away from Monmouth.

Home to some of the country’s best beaches, the town features memorable dining and convenient shopping enjoyable via social distancing and local regulations.

Beach fees: $6 daily for adults, free for active military members, veterans and their families, $18 weekly Beach parking: Metered; free on select side streets.

Pets: Prohibited on the beach until fall.

For more information, call 609.884.9525.

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Description: This 7-mile-long barrier beach peninsula jutting into the Atlantic Ocean and Sandy Hook Bay is part of the National Park Services’ Gateway National Recreation Area, which encompasses 26,000 acres of parklands in parts of New Jersey and New York. It features public beaches, salt marshes, a holly forest and numerous historical landmarks.

Beach fees: FREE with vehicle parking Beach parking: $15 Pets: Prohibited on the beach until fall.

For more information, call 732.872.5970

Description: Many of the popular family attractions like the boardwalk’s famous rides, games and food vendors are temporarily closed. Throughout the pandemic, this Ocean County hot spot, as well as Jenkinson’s Beach, will be held to a maximum capacity. When the daily capacity is reached, additional patrons will not be permitted on the beach.

Beach fees: $10 daily for adults, $11 weekends for adults, $3 for ages 5 to 11, FREE for children age 5 and under Beach parking: Metered and ticket kiosks; local restrictions temporarily in place.

Pets: Prohibited on the beach until fall.

For more information, call 732.892.0600.

This page, clockwise from top left, Belmar, Cape May, Sandy Hook, Barnegat Light, Point Pleasant. Opposite page, Asbury Park.

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{ ENTERTAINING }

TAKE IT OUTSIDE An escape to the outdoors is what you need after months in quarantine. So, add thoughtful décor and creative details to your next garden party to make a memorable alfresco dining experience.

Warmer weather arrives as we slowly creep back to normal, and there’s no better way to welcome summer and guests to your home than with a backyard party. While a cookout is fun, with additional planning—and tips from designer Suzette Donleavy of Well-Designed Interiors in Shrewsbury—you can turn the casual meal with family and friends into a moment to remember.

A crackling fire, even the flames from an outdoor pizza oven, and a glass of wine provide an intimate background for any gathering. “A woodburning pizza oven, a smoker or grill distinguishes outdoor meals from the year-round kitchen,” designer Suzette Donleavy says. “The cooking experience is different, which makes for a unique experience when entertaining.” And don’t be afraid to use linens outside, she adds, to add warmth and elegance to the overall ambience.

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{ ENTERTAINING }

This page: A gazebo not only adds a respite from the sun but helps to define and designate the dining area, Donleavy notes.

Use a mix of different materials for seating— wicker, woven, teak, wrought iron—for a customized look just as you would indoors.

Opposite page, clockwise from top left: If the glow from the fire fades when night falls, the designer recommends string lights, which evoke an “inviting, festive, vintage and/or romantic touch to any space.”; individual wooden pizza palletes are a fun and casual alternative to fine china, but melamine servingware is a great option too; well-manicured landscaping will enhance the backyard’s hardscape features like water fountains and paver stepping stones, and set the backdrop “much like a wall color or wallpaper would inside the home.”

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{ ENTERTAINING }

TABLE THAT!

Patio furniture this pretty should be used and admired.

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Elevate your backyard barbecue with TK Classics’ Fairmont dining pedestal table and chair set. The tempered glass tabletop and handwoven polyethylene wicker material are both durable and easy to clean. Available at houzz.com.

You’ll be eating in style and bettering the environment with the Polywood Vineyard patio dining set. It’s made from recycled plastic materials, is weather-resistant and longlasting for years of outdoor entertaining. Available at Walpole Outdoors, Ship Bottom, 609.494.5838.

Add a piece of the Mediterranean to your home with the Mykonos dining set by Panama Jack Outdoor. Its glass tabletop and bright aluminum frame will bring Greek isle vibes to your patio. Available at Bed Bath & Beyond, Middletown, 732.865.9735.

The Aura teak and aluminum square table set by Barlow Tyrie is the perfect size and space to enjoy poolside brunch or cocktails.

Available at The Wickery, Toms River, 732.286.2322.

Complement your alfresco lifestyle with the sleek Okada dining set by Ashley Signature Design. The chairs are made with quick-drying fabric and rust-proof aluminum so you can enjoy the outdoors all year round.

Available at Ashley HomeStore, Eatontown, 732.676.1038.

The mosaic stone tabletop of Loon Peak’s Sequoyah dining set is a piece to appreciate, but the surface and the wicker and powder-coated steel frame chairs are made for entertaining as well. Available at Walmart, Freehold, 732.780.3048.

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SPICE THINGS UP

Make restaurant-quality, summery meals while you’re quarantining at home with these recipes for Michelin-star-worthy entrées.

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{ TASTES }

SPICY KOREAN PORK BULGOGI Yields 4 servings

INGREDIENTS

n 1½ lb. pork belly (or pork shoulder/pork butt) n 3 stalks green onions (cut into 1½ inch chunks, including the whites) MARINADE n 2 Tbs. garlic (grated, approximately 5–6 cloves) n 1½ Tbs. ginger (grated, approximately 1 inch of ginger) n 1 medium onion n 3½ Tbs. gochujang n 1 Tbs. soy sauce (or ½ Tbs. fish sauce) n 2 Tbs. honey (or sugar) n 1 Tbs. sesame oil n 2 Tbs. mirin cooking wine n 3 Tbs. water n 1 Tbs. gochugaru (Korean chili flakes), optional, if you like it spicy

DIRECTIONS

Remove the root end of the green onions and cut them into 1½-inchlong chunks (including the whites of the green onions). Slice the thicker, white ends length-wise again so that they are the same thickness as the greens.

If your pork belly comes with skin, remove the skin and discard it.

Freeze the pork belly for 1 hour. This will make it easier to slice thinly.

If you are using a larger cut of meat like a pork shoulder, you may need to freeze it for a longer period of time.

MARINATE THE PORK BELLY Peel the garlic, slice the ginger and cut the onion into 1-inch cubes.

In a food processor, blend the garlic, ginger and onion together into a paste. (You can also grate it by hand if you don’t have a food processor.) Place the blended garlic, ginger and onion in a large bowl.

Add the ingredients under “marinade” into the bowl with the garlic, ginger and onion and mix everything together.

Remove the pork belly from the freezer and thinly slice it, approximately 1/8 inch or thinner.

Add the pork belly into the marinade and mix everything well.

Marinate it in the fridge for a minimum of 1 hour.

To cook the bulgogi, set the stove on high heat and set a non-stick frying pan or a high walled pot (to prevent splatter) on the stove and add a bit of oil into it.

Once the oil is hot, add the pork belly in the pan (including any extra marinade, as this will be the sauce).

Pan fry on high heat for 8-11 minutes. Pork belly splatters quite a bit, so be careful or wear an apron to prevent staining on your clothes.

Once the pork belly is cooked, turn off heat, add green onions and mix the onions around to let the heat wilt it.

Recipe and photo courtesy of pupswithchopsticks.com

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Pork belly (bacon) has a higher fat content but is a bit more tender than the shoulder—whichever you use is personal preference. Either way, cut the pork very thin so the marinade can penetrate into the meat more quickly and more deeply.”

—Steve Bartow, chef/owner, Ae’s Thai and BBQ, Hazlet

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{ TASTES }

GRILLED SPICY SOY CHICKEN WINGS Yields 6 servings

INGREDIENTS n n n n n n n n

4 lbs. chicken wings ¾ cup soy sauce 1 / 3 cup cooking sherry ¼ cup ketchup 2 Tbs. olive oil 2 Tbs. granulated sugar ½ tsp. ground ginger hot sauce, to baste

DIRECTIONS

Place chicken wings on cutting board and cut through the main joint to separate each wing into a drumette and a wingette. Cut off the tip (attached to the wingette) and discard. Add drumettes and wingettes to a container for marinating or to two sealable gallon-sized plastic bags.

Add soy sauce, cooking sherry, ketchup, olive oil, sugar and ground ginger in a bowl and whisk until combined.

Pour marinade into container or evenly into plastic bags, if using. Place container/bags in the refrigerator and let wings marinate for 2-3 hours.

Heat grill to 375°F. Using tongs, place wings on the grill over indirect heat. Discard marinade.

Cook wings for 35-40 minutes, turning them using tongs every 10 minutes or so.

Move wings over direct heat and baste with hot sauce.

Turn them over after 2-3 minutes and then baste again.

Let them cook for another 2-3 minutes. The wings are fully cooked when the center of the thickest part of a wing reaches 165°F. Once done, remove from grill and serve.

Recipe and photo courtesy of mysequinedlife.com

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To really boost the depth of flavor of the wings, marinate the meat for 24 hours in a salt brine; ¾ cup of salt to 1 gallon of water. You can also add any of the other ingredients to the brine as well.”

—Steve Bartow, chef/owner, Ae’s Thai and BBQ, Hazlet

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{ TASTES }

VEGAN SEITAN CARNE ASADA TACOS Yields 12 servings

INGREDIENTS

n 1 lb. seitan steaks n 3 dried ancho chiles n 1 chipotle in adobo, seeded for less heat if desired n 2–3 cloves garlic n ¼ cup coarsely chopped cilantro, leaves and tender stems n ½ cup orange juice, freshly squeezed n 2 Tbs. lime juice, freshly squeezed n 2 Tbs. olive oil n 1 Tbs. apple cider vinegar n 1 Tbs. soy sauce n 2 tsp. packed brown sugar n ½ tsp. whole cumin, toasted and ground, or ½ tsp. ground cumin n ½ tsp. salt, more to taste n freshly ground black pepper TO SERVE: n corn tortillas n pico de gallo n vegan queso fresco n minced cilantro

DIRECTIONS

Toast the ancho chiles on a dry skillet over low heat until softened, about 5 minutes, or microwave in 30-second increments until soft and supple. Remove seeds and stems, roughly chop and add the chiles to a blender.

Add the chipotle in adobo, garlic, cilantro, orange juice, lime juice, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, soy sauce, brown sugar, cumin, salt and black pepper to the blender. Blend until thick and smooth. Taste and add more salt if desired.

Place the seitan steaks in a quart-sized ziplock bag and smother with all of the marinade sauce, making sure the sauce gets in between the steaks and fully coats each one.

Seal the ziplock bags and place in the fridge for at least 2 hours, but ideally overnight.

When ready to make your tacos, heat a grill pan to medium high heat. Brush the hot pan with a little bit of oil, then remove the steaks from the marinade, taking care to only leave a thin layer of marinade on the seitan. Grill the steaks for about 3-5 minutes on each side, not flipping until blackened char marks from the grill have formed.

Alternatively, you can cook these steaks on an actual grill.

[Note: if using store-bought seitan that comes pre-sliced or diced, you’ll want to pan fry the marinated strips until slightly charred.]

Thinly slice the grilled seitan carne asada and set aside, covered to keep it warm.

Heat the corn tortillas, either over the gas flame (for charring) or on a dry skillet, and wrap in a cloth or a tortilla warmer to keep warm.

To assemble the tacos, place the sliced seitan asada in a warm tortilla and top with pico de gallo and crumbled queso fresco. Sprinkle on a little extra cilantro and serve with extra thinned mojo sauce if desired. Enjoy!

Recipe and photo courtesy of thecuriouschickpea.com

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{ POWER FOOD }

That Cuppa Joe

Wake up and smell the benefits of the world’s energizing brew—but don’t overdo!

We live in the age of coffee. Ubiquitous retail chains cater to connoisseurs and the addicted with a variety of beans and brews, selling foamy cups at prices we used to associate with a full meal. And whether you like yours hot or iced, full-strength black or “light and sweet” decaf, it’s hard to imagine a morning without the beverage that perks up our day.

Historians trace coffee’s origins back to the 1400s in what is now Yemen, and through the centuries it has continued to be prized as a pick-me-up. Honoré de Balzac said it helped him write, and Benjamin Franklin noted that “it excites cheerfulness without intoxication.” TV’s Friends were always drinking from cappuccino mugs (their wall sporting the logo of the café Central Perk), and woe betide the errandrunning underling who botched the morning latte order of the imperious Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada. Perhaps it was the fast-talking Lorelai from Gilmore Girls who got to the heart of things, wishing for her coffee to be delivered via IV. According to a National Coffee Association study, 64 percent of Americans drink coffee daily. (But we’re far from the world’s champs. Top consuming countries are Finland and Norway; top producers, Brazil and Vietnam.) Many people have multiple daily cups, which isn’t necessarily bad. Research shows that besides providing an energy boost, coffee may help stave off several chronic conditions, as well as improve concentration and memory.

POWER UP In recent decades, coffee has been one of the most studied dietary items, and moderate consumption has been linked with several health benefits. Regular coffee drinkers—those who consume two to four cups daily—have a reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes, thanks to ingredients that can affect hormone levels. Coffee is also high in antioxidants, which are known to fight the oxidative damage that can cause cancer.

Could this super brew help you live longer?

Researchers believe some of coffee’s chemicals may help reduce inflammation, which plays a role in conditions such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, and that it may slow down metabolic processes that drive aging. And as long as you limit cream and sugar, coffee isn’t fattening like other caffeinated beverages, such as soda and energy drinks.

However, due to its high caffeine content, a cup of joe still has risks. For instance, it can temporarily raise blood pressure and interact poorly with some other medications. And the Mayo Clinic says women who are pregnant, trying to become pregnant or breastfeeding should discuss with their doctors limiting caffeine to 200 milligrams daily (about two 8-ounce cups). Current U.S. Food and Drug Administration guidelines on consumption for the rest of us set the limit at 400 milligrams. But if you notice side effects such as insomnia or heartburn, consider cutting back.

BUY/SERVE/STORE Flavor, strength and acidity depend on the region where the beans are grown. For instance, Africangrown coffee is typically darker and more acidic than coffee from South America. For the tastiest java, choose fresh whole beans and grind them yourself. Why? Coffee reaches its peak flavor days after it has been roasted and should be consumed within a month of that date.

Most coffee companies don’t report the date when their coffee was roasted, so the product on the grocery-store shelf may have been there for months. Your prospects are better with your local barista.

To keep coffee beans as fresh as possible, experts suggest storing them in a vacuum-sealed container such as a standard Mason jar on a pantry shelf away from light, heat and moisture. If you don’t have such a container, close the bag using a rubber band and then place it in a resealable plastic bag.

It’s OK to freeze whole beans for up to a month in airtight bags. When you’re ready to use the frozen beans, thaw them and brew within two weeks.

Finally, when it comes to brewing, water matters.

Keep a pitcher of filtered water in the refrigerator to make your coffee. And be sure to clean your coffeemaker daily; otherwise your drink will taste like it’s burnt because of what’s been left in the pot.

—Kimberly Redmond

DID YOU KNOW? In 16th-century Turkey, women had few rights, but one of them was the right to divorce their husbands if they failed to provide enough coffee. That failure was considered sufficient—uh—grounds for a split.

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Pretty in Pink

{ SPIRITS }

Roses are red and violets are blue—but this cheerful and tart drink is perfect just for you!

RHUBARB 75 Serves 1

INGREDIENTS

■ 1½ oz. gin ■ ¾ oz. lemon juice, freshly squeezed and strained ■ ½ oz. rhubarb syrup (recipe below) ■ chilled Champagne or Cava to top ■ rhubarb ribbons, for garnish ■ lemon twist, for garnish

INSTRUCTIONS

FOR THE SYRUP Combine ¾ lb. chopped rhubarb in a saucepan with 1 cup water, 1 cup cane sugar and 1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise.

Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, then lower heat and cover. Let simmer gently for 5 minutes, then remove from heat. Stir in ¼ tsp. orange blossom water, replace lid and let cool to room temperature. Refrigerate overnight, then strain with a nut milk bag or a cheesecloth-covered sieve. Reserve the strained, broken down rhubarb for use as a compote, and store both syrup and compote in the fridge. (Note: Vanilla bean and orange blossom water are optional ingredients but recommended for full flavor.)

FOR THE COCKTAIL ■ Combine all but the Champagne in a cocktail shaker filled with ice.

■ Shake hard for 5 seconds.

■ Pour into a Champagne flute and top with chilled Champagne to taste.

■ Garnish with rhubarb ribbons or a lemon twist.

Recipe courtesy of thegooddrink.com

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{ ON THE TOWN } 2

Gatherings

Whether it’s at a fundraiser or a volunteering event, Monmouth residents always show up to support their friends and neighbors.

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THE KORTNEY ROSE FOUNDATION All 19 of the area’s Turning Point Restaurants donated a total of more than $106,500 to the Kortney Rose Foundation for pediatric brain tumor research.

Donations were collected during the 11th annual Great Food for a Great Cause Fundraiser, a two-day charity event.

1 Employees of the Turning Point Restaurant in Little Silver, who raised $15,000, gather with Kristen and Rich Gillette (rear, center) of The Kortney Rose Foundation

2 YMCA OF GREATER MONMOUTH COUNTY The YMCA continues its efforts to battle food insecurity during and beyond the COVID pandemic by holding drop-and-go drives at several of its locations, including Freehold and Red Bank. Volunteers accepted donations, which were delivered to area food pantries.

2 YMCA volunteers at a recent food drive

BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF MONMOUTH COUNTY

FULFILL Fulfill of Monmouth & Ocean received 2,136 pounds of food donated by Toms River-based Keller Williams Shore Properties. The donation was part of Keller Williams’ #RedDay2020 initiative. Fulfill, formerly the FoodBank of Monmouth & Ocean Counties, continues its mission to ensure all people have enough nutritious food to maintain an active and healthy lifestyle.

4 Keller Williams Shore Properties employees after donating to Fulfill of Monmouth & Ocean

Approximately 50 runners recently participated in the BGCM (Boys & Girls Clubs of Monmouth County) Boundless Virtual Race, raising more than $12,000 for the Asbury Park-based BGCM. All proceeds will go toward the organization’s community work during the pandemic, including providing meals for clients at food banks and kitchens.

3 Matthew and Correna Littlehale after their virtual run fundaiser

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3 MONMOUTHHEALTHANDLIFE.COM BERGENMAG.COM

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1 The Kortney Rose Foundation, 2 YMCA of Greater Monmouth County, 3 Boys & Girls Clubs of Monmouth County, 4 Fulfill of Monmouth & Ocean

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{ A MONMOUTH MOMENT }

“While walking along the beach in Belmar, I noticed two people sitting quietly and soaking up the eerie beauty of this particular morning. I was moved to take the photo because even with the menacing clouds overhead, the sun’s incandescence offered a glimmer of hope during a stressful time.”

Photo courtesy of Kim Palumbo, Instagram: @bettie_noir

—Kim Palumbo, Belmar

Monmouth Health & Life Volume 19, Issue 3 (ISSN# 2573-8151 and USPS 025-351) is published 6 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 Mahwah, NJ, and additional mailing offices.

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