Spring Lake
SCOTTO’S SPRING LAKE
UPPER GALLERY PHOTO EXHIBIT
WEAVING ART
CLAIRE GALLAGHER’S BEAUTIFUL BASKETS
Denise Dreyer
REALTOR® Associate GRI, ABR, SRS, SRES
Ward Wight Sotheby’s International Realty | Sea Girt
Company Top Producer 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023, 2024
2025 Top Producing Agent in Sea Girt*
NJ REALTORS® Circle of Excellence Gold Sales Award ®
Named #3 in NJ by RealTrends Verified
*MOREMLS Sea Girt Closed Sales: All Categories 01/01/2025 - 12/31/2025
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Perfectly positioned just one home from the blue waters of the Atlantic on an expansive 120 x150 level lot, this exceptional offering presents a rare opportunity to create a coastal retreat in one of the Jersey Shore’s most beloved beachside towns. Cherished by the same family since 1988, this classic 1950 residence has been the setting for decades of meaningful memories. Enjoy sweeping ocean vistas to the north and south, where radiant Atlantic sunrises become an effortless part of daily life. Spanning two levels of living, the home offers 5 bedrooms, three full baths, two half baths array of gracious living & dining spaces designed for both intimate gatherings and effortless entertaining. Whether you choose to preserve the homes timeless character, undertake a renovation or envision a magnificent custom seaside estate, the possibilities are as remarkable as the setting itself. Situated in the quintessential seaside town of Spring Lake, celebrated for its tree lined streets, iconic boardwalk, pristine beaches, charming downtown boutiques, dining and enduring small-town sophistication, this is more than a property ~ it’s an invitation to embrace a lifestyle generations have long treasured. Bring your vision, establish your legacy and discover a place to call home where cherished memories are made for years to come.
To learn more about this amazing Coastal Retreat home or to schedule a private tour please contact me directly at 201.819.2604 (Cell) or 732.449.5959 (Office) or email ddreyer@wardwightsir.com.
18 A Town in Pictures
Decades of memories captured, restored, and shared with the community ahead of the Spring Lake Community Theatre’s 50th anniversary.
22 Pure Stoke
For the men and women of Operation Beachhead, surfing is more than a sport, it’s a source of hope and strength.
4 PUBLISHER’S NOTE Summer Moments 8 LIFE OUTDOORS A Game for All 10 LOCAL TASTES Fire up the Grill 14 GIVING BACK The Ashley Lauren Foundation 26 Q&A Spring Lake’s Own Basket Weaver 30 BOOK NOOK August Pages, Endless Summer 32 PHOTO OP A Lifetime of Spring Lake Summers
Volunteers and participants of Operation Beachhead.
Photograph by Matt Paul Catalano
Set on nearly three-quarters of an acre just minutes from the Sea Girt Beach, this custom Shore Colonial offers exceptional privacy, timeless design, and resort-style living. Beautifully curated by its interior designer owner, the home showcases custom millwork, rich hardwood floors, designer finishes, and an open-concept layout centered around a stunning eat-in kitchen and dramatic family room with soaring ceilings. A finished lower level with kitchenette and full bath provides added flexibility for guests or recreation. Outside, a spectacular saltwater pool and spa, elegant cabana, expansive stone patios, and professionally landscaped grounds create a true private retreat. Thoughtfully appointed with premium upgrades throughout, this exceptional home offers the perfect blend of luxury, comfort, and coastal living. Contact The Skea Team to learn more.
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SUMMER MOMENTS
aAUGUST IS FILLED with so many happy and warm memories. As I put together our Photo Op page for this month, it got me thinking about my years growing up, tearing around town on my bike in the 80s and 90s. There is nothing quite like summer as a kid. We spent long beach days at the South End, waited impatiently for adult swim to end, perfected our jackknife dives, and closed out each day in the row of ice-cold showers at the South End Pool. We biked to Susan Murphy’s for green apple sherbet, grabbed Stewart’s Root Beer from Casagrande’s, and shopped for necklaces at Frank and Joe’s. We caught lightning bugs, sold lemonade, and roller-skated in any freshly paved
driveway we could find.
Our neighborhood brat pack was sometimes 20 deep. We would play wiffle ball and manhunt until we heard our moms call out that it was time to come home. One of those voices was Janet Murray. She was a widowed mom to eight, amazingly strong and resilient, and the type of neighbor who really made you feel seen and loved. Our houses were one, in and out, all day and night; the lines of family blurred as it felt like one big Brooklyn Boulevard compound. We helped each other with chores, played endless games of “Horse” on their backyard hoop, looked after each other, and kept each other safe. Mrs. Murray’s famous tagline was “Your feet are your life!” reminding us as we rolled through the door, barefoot and often with a stubbed toe.
Our family’s friendship with the Murrays is one of the most cherished blessings of our lives, spanning over 43 years and as strong as ever up until the very end. Mrs. Murray sadly passed on in June, but we will never forget our Janski, her warmth, her joy, and her love. Her legacy lives on in each of her kids and their families. It warms my heart to think about all the families that are having these small moments each day, building their library of nostalgia for their memories and expanding their families with the friendly faces in their neighborhood. Please soak in all of these special summer moments; you never know when the memories will rise up and soak your cheeks in gratitude.
Warmly,
Brynn Coleman Publisher
Spring Lake MAGAZINE
Publisher and Editor
Brynn Coleman
Brynn.Coleman@wainscotmedia.com
Lead Writer and Editorial Coordinator
Danielle Kutcher
Editorial Intern
Kylie Aprilante
Writers
Kate Czyzewski
Maria Corvaia O’Donnel
Mike Corvaia
Judith Jones-Ambrosini
Danielle Kutcher
Molly Mechler
Photographers
Vincent Dicks
Michael Scotto
Michelle Wolfe
WAINSCOT MEDIA
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Carroll V. Dowden
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Thomas Flannery
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Spring Lake magazine is published by Wainscot Media. Serving residents of Spring Lake and Sea Girt, the magazine is distributed monthly via U.S. mail. Articles and advertisements contained herein do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publishers. Copyright 2026 by Wainscot Media LLC. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent.
PHOTOGRAPH BY MICHELLE WOLFE
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Denise Dreyer
Ward Wight Sotheby’s International Realty, Sea Girt
Denise Dreyer is one of the top agent of the Jersey Shore—just ask the clients that she helps guide through one of the biggest milestones of their lives. Exemplifying excellence in service, marketing, and creative solutions. She consistently ranks as the Company Top Producer, an accolade that she has received in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023, and 2024.
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John C.
Tassini, Esq.
Maxwell, Tassini & Gardner, LLC
Wills, Trusts & Estates: Planning and Administration
John C. Tassini, Esq.
Maxwell, Tassini & Gardner, LLC
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A Game For All
Bocce’s rich history continues to bring Sea Girt neighbors together.
BY JUDITH JONES-AMBROSINI
BOCCE IS A GAME that has always brought people together— whether on ancient Egyptian sand, a Roman courtyard, or in Station Park in Sea Girt, New Jersey. Its roots stretch back nearly 5,000 years, when Egyptians first began tossing polished stones toward a target, a pastime depicted in artwork from that era. The game later traveled to Greece around 800 BC and then to the Roman Empire, where it was enjoyed by both nobility and commoners.
In the 19th century, Italian revolutionary Giuseppe Garibaldi helped popularize Bocce as a national pastime. Italian immigrant communities carried the tradition to the United States, where the game became a fixture at social gatherings and community events. Today, Bocce remains one of the world’s most accessible sports—simple to learn, social, and welcoming to players of all ages and abilities.
HOW TO PLAY BOCCE
The basics are simple. A Bocce court is long and narrow—about 13 feet wide and up to 90 feet long— with a low 8” barrier along the
sides. The surface may be sand, astro turf, grass, or cement. The game uses eight large balls (four red and four green) and a small white target ball called the Pallina or Jack.
The goal is to roll your team’s balls closer to the Pallina than your opponents do. Points are scored after each round of throws, and the first team to reach 12 points wins. Teams of 2, 4, 6, or 8 can play.
BOCCE IN SEA GIRT
Today, this ancient game has found a lively and enthusiastic home in Sea Girt. This modern chapter began when Sea Girt Recreation sent out a survey asking residents whether they would be interested in a town Bocce court. The response was overwhelming. A site in Station Park was selected, and Sea Girt Pubic Works excavated the site and constructed a surrounding border. Environmental Landscape Design, ELD, donated their services to lay down and level a crushed stone base. Finally, volunteers from the Sea Girt Fire Company and Sea Girt
Recreation installed an interlocking court system and covered it with a turf playing surface.
Once the court was completed, several co-ed groups emerged, including husbands and wives and families who enjoy playing. There is a team of female players in the league, the Bocce Bellas, who, according to Donna Finn, “play for fun and the enjoyment of meeting new people in a relaxing way to be outdoors. Other than the balls, no special equipment is needed, and we can dress casually and comfortably.” Beyond organized leagues, spontaneous pick-up games are a regular sight.
Larry White says that “Ray’s Café on Washington Boulevard is a hub for local Bocce players. A group of approximately 15 players, ranging from their early 30s to well over 70, go over to the Bocce court to throw a few Bocce balls nearly every day.”
The group stays connected through a text thread to see who is available to play. Even with only one court, no one seems to mind waiting their turn—
Bocce is, after all, a social sport, where good-natured teasing and friendly competition are part of the charm. According to player Paul Cerami, “The group plays every day in summer and whenever weather permits in winter. On windy autumn days, we simply blow leaves off the court to play. Last summer we had fun with a tournament of eight father/daughter teams on Father’s Day weekend. We also held three individual doubleelimination tournaments last summer.”
For a game born five millennia ago, Bocce is at home in Sea Girt— on summer days, breezy autumn afternoons, under the glow of phone flashlights at dusk, and in the laughter of neighbors who gather simply to play. Its ancient roots continue to thrive, promising many more years of community, camaraderie, and fun.
Judith Jones-Abrosini is a Sea Girt resident, member of the Holly Club of Sea Girt and author of the “Sisterhood of Diabetes.”
The Sea Girt Bocce Court has players nearly every day, all year round, when weather permits.
FIRE UP THE GRILL
Tips, techniques, and a little summer magic for your cooking.
BY MARIA CORVAIA O’DONNEL AND MIKE CORVAIA
PHOTOGRAPHS BY MARIA CORVAIA O’DONNELL
Maria Corvaia O’Donnel loves to cook outdoors in the warner months, whether it’s on a grill or on a portable propane seafood boiler.
ONE OF MY FAVORITE things to do in the summer is outdoor cooking. When the weather is nice, I cook almost every meal outside, and grilling is something most everyone has access to. Over the years, my brother Mike, who’s earned the title of “Grill Master” in our family, has passed along some great tips. Combined with plenty of practice, I’ve learned that heat and technique are everything. Unlike cooking indoors, the grill leaves nowhere to hide. You either hit the mark or you don’t.
CHICKEN THIGHS: HIGH HEAT IS THE SECRET
My brother Mike gave me a fabulous recipe for grilled boneless, skinless chicken thighs, and the secret is simple: high heat. Get one side of your grill up to about 500° or more, and leave the burners off on the other side. That two-zone setup is key.
Make sure you use marinated chicken. I keep a small food processor just for marinades; it’s easy to clean and easy to grab. I usually throw in fresh scallions, scapes
from the garden, garlic, onion, and whatever else is growing, along with good olive oil, soy sauce, a little mirin, and maybe a splash of vinegar. You can also use Greek yogurt with your favorite spices, as the yogurt breaks down the fibers and does a wonderful job tenderizing chicken. One note of caution: if you use vinegar, marinate for only an hour or two, or the chicken will get stringy. For a longer marinade, leave out the acid.
Place the thighs on the hot side and let them cook for 3 to 4 minutes on the first side, then flip for another 2 minutes. Transfer to the indirect side for a final 3 to 5 minutes, depending on the size of the thighs. Before you put anything on the grill, run a cut onion across the hot grates. It cleans them naturally, adds flavor, and smells amazing.
PORK TENDERLOIN: HANDLE WITH CARE
I recently made pork carnitas for a group of friends, and the secret to that recipe is starting with high heat to seal in the juices, then lowering the temperature and closing the lid. Depending on the size of the tenderloin, it takes about 10 to 12 minutes, but you need to babysit it the whole time, so pour yourself a glass of wine and pay attention.
People tend to overcook tenderloins, end up with a tough and chewy bite, and then blame the cut. It’s given pork tenderloin an unfair reputation. Handle it with care, and it’s one of the juiciest things you can put on a grill. A little pink in the middle is perfectly fine, as long as you’ve hit the right internal
Mike Corvaia loves to cook authentic family recipes.
temperature. And remember, meat continues to rise about 5 degrees after it comes off the heat. As hungry as you are, let it rest for at least 5 minutes. That’s what keeps it tender and juicy.
LEARNING TO “FEEL” THE MEAT
One of Mike’s best pieces of advice was to learn to feel when the meat is done. I didn’t understand what that meant until
I’d grilled enough to get it. With practice, you develop a sense for that perfect window, not overcooked, not undercooked. A classic chef trick: use the muscle between your thumb and index finger as a reference. Make a fist and press that muscle; if it’s firm, it’s a medium- to mediumwell steak. Relax your fist but keep your thumb touching your index finger, and that softness compares to medium-rare. Many steakhouses rely on this method because constantly probing with a thermometer draws out the natural juices. You’ll also want to pull your meat slightly before it reaches your desired doneness, since it will keep cooking while it rests.
STEAKS: THE CROWN JEWEL
No grilling article is complete without talking about steaks. I love flat irons, New York strips, and tomahawks. You want the heat around 450° when the steaks go on for a good sear, then lower to about 300° and grill until they feel done. I press lightly with my finger, and for me, a perfect medium- to medium-rare is when my finger sinks about halfway as deep as it did when the meat was raw.
WHOLE SPATCHCOCK CHICKEN
Grilling a whole chicken is one of my favorites, and I always spatchcock it, removing the backbone and laying it flat. Sear it on the hot side at about 500° for roughly two minutes per side, then transfer it skin-side up into an aluminum pan on the indirect side and close the lid. The result
is crispy skin and juicy meat. I like adding a splash of vinegar and a little salt to the pan for extra flavor. For doneness, a meat thermometer is your best friend here, until you’ve grilled enough to just feel it.
The grill is endlessly versatile: seafood, vegetables, stuffed mushrooms (a personal favorite) all work beautifully. Just remember, heat is key, and technique is everything.
Have fun out there this summer.
Maria Corvaia O’Donnell and Mike Corvaia are brother and sister who have been cooking since they could walk, both at home and in family-owned butcher shops and restaurants. They dedicate this to their Naune, the best cook of all.
THE GRILLED ARTICHOKE: An Homage to Houston’s
My favorite appetizer in Florida is the grilled artichoke with remoulade at Houston’s, and I’ve been trying to recreate it at home for years. Here’s my version.
Start by boiling the artichokes in lemon water until they’re tender, about 20 minutes. Cut them in half, remove the choke (the needle-like fibers in the center), and place them on a hot grill leaf-side down for 1 to 2 minutes, then flip to the inside for another minute or two. Wait until they come off the grill before brushing with olive oil. If you brush while they’re on the grate, you’ll get flare-ups. (I do love putting those out with a quick splash from my water bottle, but it’s better to avoid them.)
For the remoulade, blend good mayonnaise, fresh garlic, Dijon mustard, relish, capers, and anchovies. It’s fantastic, and it pairs perfectly with the smoky, slightly charred artichoke leaves.
This one’s worth the extra effort.
The Ashley Lauren FOUNDATION
For two decades, The Ashley Lauren Foundation has eased the burden of pediatric cancer by supporting families.
BY SPRING LAKE MAGAZINE STAFF
THE DAILY BURDENS thrust upon families who are battling pediatric cancer are many. The Ashley Lauren Foundation, located in Brielle, New Jersey, is an independent pediatric cancer nonprofit organization that depends on the support of the community to address those vital needs. Monica Vermeulen (Founder and CEO) and her team aim to fulfill
these needs on a daily basis.
“The Ashley Lauren Foundation has been continually assisting thousands of children and their families throughout the past 20 years,” shares Vermeulen. “We have been receiving new referrals on a weekly basis in addition to the many families we have already been helping. These children are fighting for their lives and need as much help as possible.”
EASING HARDSHIP
The goal of The Ashley Lauren Foundation is to ease the journey when pediatric cancer is diagnosed. They provide direct financial assistance by helping with rents, mortgages, household bills, medical bills, traveling expenses to and from hospitals, funeral expenses, and much more. Additionally, material assistance is provided in the form of food gift cards, gas gift cards, clothing, and household items. The families attend two major parties—The Christmas party at the Essex and Sussex in Spring Lake, and Spring Party at Jenkinson’s
Boardwalk.
The reach that The Ashley Lauren Foundation has is vast. There is emotion support and advocacy for the families, “Making Dreams Come True” Program, Birthday Brigade, fun outings, and home repairs. Yet, it does not stop there. The members of the foundation will go out of their way to make lives easier and bring smiles to their faces.
Long time supporter Jim Marturano says, “As a proud resident of Spring Lake, I’ve seen firsthand the incredible impact The Ashley Lauren Foundation has on New Jersey families facing
pediatric cancer. Their compassion, support, and commitment to helping children and their families through unimaginably difficult times is truly inspiring. Organizations like this rely on the generosity of the community to continue their mission, and I encourage fellow Spring Lakers to support the Foundation however they can.”
Please visit ashleylaurenfoundation. org for more information on upcoming fundraising events:
• August 22 – Brielle’s Beach Bash
• Sept. 25 – Billy’s Light Golf Outing
• Oct. 10 – Touch-A-Truck Festival
• Nov. 7 - Fun Run
For more information on how to volunteer or donate, please visit ashleylaurenfoundation.org, call 732-414-1625, or visit them @ashleylaurenfoundation.
Monica Vermeulen founded The Ashley Lauren Foundation based on her own experience with pediatric cancer when her daughter, Ashley Lauren, was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 3. After receiving a degree in nonprofit management from Stockton University, she began The Ashley Lauren Foundation and has assisted thousands of children with cancer over the past 20 years.
A Town in Pictures
Decades of memories captured, restored, and shared with the community ahead of the Spring Lake Theatre’s 50th Anniversary!
BY DANIELLE KUTCHER
MMICHAEL SCOTTO, a familiar face around town, often has his camera in hand before the sunrise on the boardwalk, at memorable moments, dance recitals, stage performances, and community gatherings. His photographs have documented life in Spring Lake, capturing not just special events, but the everyday moments that make the town special.
Beginning Wednesday, August 5, Scotto will bring together his extraordinary collection of historic photographs and contemporary images from his collection to the Spring Lake Community House and Theatre’s Upper Gallery, sponsored by Chris Smith Realty. All proceeds will benefit the Community House.
Some of his images have the power to transport viewers to long-ago moments, while others capture the beauty and traditions that continue to define Spring Lake today. Together, they create a visual timeline for all to enjoy. Scotto, who is also the Vice President of the Board at the Community House, says, “People will see the old photographs that I have digitized and enhanced and stop me on the street. They always have a smile on their faces, and they tell me stories. A picture is worth more than a thousand words; it brings back memories and reminds people of relationships and specific times in their lives. It’s very special.”
INSIDE THE ART
The exhibition, which runs through Oct. 5, offers visitors the opportunity to experience Spring Lake through both yesterday’s lens and today’s. Historic landmarks, modified through AI, stand beside modern perspectives. Familiar streets reveal how much, or how little, they have changed over the years. The result is this creative exhibition that will spark conversations across generations. “Spring Lake is a canvas, an artist’s dream,” says Scotto. “There are changes in the seasons, in the day. I am lucky enough to capture it. I find it a great way of freezing history, freezing the memories.”
There could hardly be a more
Restored vintage photographs of Spring Lake, like this photo of The Beach House, will be included in the exhibit and available for sale.
fitting venue for the exhibition than the Spring Lake Theatre. For decades, the Community House has served as a gathering place where patrons have celebrated music, art, and performance. The exhibition also supports another significant milestone. This summer marks the 50th anniversary of Spring Lake Theatre, a volunteer organization that
has become an essential part of the community’s cultural life. Proceeds from the sale of Michael Scotto’s artwork will directly benefit the Community House, helping preserve the theatre for future generations.
IMPACT OF THE THEATRE
Few people understand the theatre’s remarkable journey better than Bill
The gallery is upstairs at the Community House and will be open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., as well as during all performances of “Bye Bye Birdie.”
Below: A vintage photo of the interior of the theatre, taken from the stage, courtesy of the Spring Lake Historical Society.
Below, right: The original poster for the theatre’s first ever production, “Bye Bye Birdie” in 1976.
Reinhard. Now serving as Director of Development, Reinhard’s connection to the theatre stretches back to its very beginning. 50 years ago, the Spring Lake Town Council approached his mother, longtime H.W. Mountz School music teacher Dottie Reinhard, and asked if she would direct a musical using only Spring Lake residents. The result was “Bye Bye Birdie,” the production that launched what would become Spring Lake Theatre.
Reinhard was cast as Randolph MacAfee, the mischievous younger brother in the show. “The adults all knew each other from town,” he recalls. “All the kids were classmates from Mountz, St. Catharine’s, Manasquan, or St. Rose. It was like
putting on a play with your best friends.”
He still remembers performing in the summer heat before air conditioning was installed. During performances, the large doors along both sides of the theatre remained wide open, allowing passersby to pause outside and enjoy the show. “But what I remember most,” Reinhard says, “was how much fun everyone was having.”
For him, the Community House has always been far more than a theater. “If there’s such a thing as a home away from home, this is the place,” he says. “I can still see my mom at the piano, directing with one hand and playing with the other. I think of her every time I walk into the theater.”
The theater would later shape his personal life as well. Years after “Bye Bye Birdie,” he met his future wife, Christina, when the two were cast as dance partners in a production of “The Secret Garden.”
Today, another meaningful connection remains. Reinhard now works alongside Patricia Barry,
one of the few people who has shared the theater’s journey from the very beginning. This August, that journey comes full circle. 50 years after opening the theater’s inaugural season, “Bye Bye Birdie” returns to the Community House stage. Barry not only produced the original production but also performed in it, making this summer’s
revival especially meaningful. For Reinhard, the anniversary production represents far more than a revival. “It’s another fortunate thing that’s happened to me here,” he says. “Pat is my oldest friend in the theater.”
Visitors are invited to attend the exhibition’s opening reception on Wednesday, August 5, at 6:30 p.m., featuring wine and light fare. The reception is free and open to the public. The gallery will be open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., as well as during all performances of “Bye Bye Birdie.” Find more information at: springlaketheatre.com/uppergallery.
Performances will be August 12 to 16, and 20 to 23. Visit springlaketheatre.com for more information and to purchase tickets. All artwork will be available for purchase, with proceeds benefiting the Spring Lake Theatre and helping ensure that one of the town’s most cherished institutions continues inspiring audiences for generations to come.
Above: Restored Vintage photograph of the Essex and Sussex Hotel will be included in the exhibit and available for sale. Below: Vintage postcard of Spring Lake.
Pure Stoke
Experienced surfers and swimmers wade in as catchers steady every ride toward shore. Somewhere between the salt water and the smiles, joy takes over. Families now travel from New York, Pennsylvania, and beyond, to experience the magic that Operation Beachhead provides.
For the men and women of Operation Beachhead, surfing is more than a sport; it’s a source of hope and strength.
BY DANIELLE KUTCHER AND MOLLY MECHLER
AAT 22 YEARS OLD, while serving our country in Vietnam, Michael Ricci was seriously wounded by a homemade grenade. He spent several months in an induced coma, followed by extensive rehabilitation. He returned from service in a state of emotional devastation and with shrapnel permanently embedded throughout his body.
But even in the face of his overwhelming injuries, Ricci refused to be defined by trauma. His passion for sports and adventure led him to an adaptive ski program in Aspen, Colorado, where he eventually learned to ski on one leg.
In Aspen, Michael asked his ski instructor for advice on how he could stay active during the summer months, and the instructor suggested surfing. Ricci had no prior surfing experience, but once he tried it, he was inspired to bring adaptive water sports home to the Jersey Shore. Immediately, Ricci realized that the thrill of the ocean had the power to change lives.
In 2011, Ricci launched Operation Beachhead, a unique 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization, with a single surfboard, a kayak, and a few friends. From this
simple beginning, Ricci and his team were united by a mission to provide adaptive, adventurous, and safe recreational sports and social activities for veterans and individuals with disabilities.
According to Bruce Boyle, Vice President and Top Waterman of Operation Beachhead, “15 years ago, Michael put an ad in the newspaper for anyone to help take disabled veterans—now anyone with a disability—surfing. My brother Shayne and I answered. Today, we have so many volunteers and such a giant presence that we can take these adaptive athletes out surfing in the water for hours.”
Over the past 15 years, this incredible program has grown into a community of hope, healing, humility and plenty of humor.
STORMING THE SURF
The name “Operation Beachhead” is an homage to Ricci’s days in the military; it means establishing a secure ground or, in other words, to control the beach. Participants from a range of conditions or disabilities,
including PTDS, MS, autism, or the lingering effects of a serious injury. Through careful instruction and encouragement, staff members help participants learn to catch and ride waves, even those with no prior experience. And the results are often moments of pure bliss.
The therapeutic benefits of surfing are well-documented for both mental and physical health. The rhythmic motion of paddling can function as a moving meditation, calming the nervous system. The physical challenges of the sport release endorphins and dopamine, while lowering cortisol, the stress hormone. Direct sunlight exposure is proven to increase serotonin, which is key for stabilizing mood and fighting depression.
The confidence and resilience that come with overcoming a wipeout cannot be overstated. It’s a hard sport to master, but an easy one with which to fall in love. With every new wave, participants reclaim their joy, strength, and independence.
A SWELL OF SUPPORT
Operation Beachhead and its events are 100% volunteer-run and funded entirely through donations. Volunteers include local surfers, friends, and pre-med students, some of whom have no previous surfing experience. They do, however, bring keen medical awareness and compassion.
According to volunteer Darian Boyle, “This is a very special organization. The participants may have disabilities, but once they are in the water, all that falls away. There is nothing like the elation of catching a wave. The water is magical.”
Events typically run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with snacks and lunch provided. Each participant completes a waiver and a brief questionnaire, with the help of an experienced volunteer to ensure safety and personalized support. The environment is flexible, welcoming, and focused entirely on everyone’s comfort level. If surfing isn’t right for a particular individual. Operation Beachhead also offers paddle boarding, boogie boarding, and
kayaking. “The ocean is bringing all these people together, and everyone is sharing waves, smiling, laughing, and having the best time. It’s so healing,” says Boyle.
Experienced surfers and swimmers serve as catchers, securing participants as they ride waves toward the shore. Others stay further in the water, guiding surfboards and stabilizing riders. Volunteers also assist participants in kayaks or on paddleboards, while landbased volunteers form enthusiastic cheering squads, making sure every participant feels celebrated and safe.
In the winter months, the organization shifts its focus to modified sled hockey, adaptive skiing and ice skating, continuing its mission to bring adventure and connection all year round.
Decades after Vietnam, Ricci continues to battle mobility issues from the shrapnel lodged in his body. However, he is still refusing to sit still and personally attends and photographs every Operation Beachhead event. The images he captures help to inspire new participants and to generate support
for the organization’s fundraising efforts.
Meanwhile, the Operation Beachhead community has become stronger than ever. Participants travel from across New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and beyond. For many local families, the program has become a summer tradition. Each event is a testimony to the power of human resilience and the healing wonders of the ocean. For Bruce Boyle, it all comes back to one person. “We owe it all to Michael Ricci’s dream.”
To learn more about Operation Beachhead or to donate, visit opbeachhead.org and follow them on Facebook.
Founder Michael Ricci (right) and Vice President Bruce Boyle, the two hands steering Operation Beachhead from a single surfboard in 2011 to the year-round community it is today.
Spring Lake’s Own Basket Weaver
A local artist rediscovered the art of basketry and is now sharing her craft with the community.
BY DANIELLE KUTCHER
INTERVIEW WITH CLAIRE GALLAGHER
AFTER A LONG HIATUS, Claire Gallagher has come back to basketry and is now sharing her talents with her Spring Lake community. If you’re interested in learning to weave a basket, call the Spring Lake Library, or email clairebaskets@gmail.com.
Tell us how you began your journey in basket making.
I began taking basketry classes in the 1980s. In 1986, I left my job as a math and science teacher to go to Columbia University for a Master’s in Architecture. Then my professional life took over, and I stopped weaving baskets. I was still around the arts, teaching architecture design studio at Carnegie Mellon University, but it wasn’t until about 30 years later that I picked up weaving again. I had moved back to my childhood home and was volunteering at an event at which I was sitting next to someone who was wearing a necklace in the shape of a basket: I complimented her, and she said she was a member of the Penn-Jersey Basketry Guild. She suggested I give weaving another
try. I joined the PJBG and have been weaving again since.
What goes into making one of your baskets?
First, I focus on a design and identify the materials needed to weave it. I gather those materials and prepare them: measure and cut them, sand them, shape or shave them if necessary (using a knife or a shave pony and a shave/ draw knife), measure and mark the pieces, etc. (Some baskets are woven on a mold—Nantucket baskets, for example—so I would set that up, too.) Then, I soak the reed, set up the base pieces, and start weaving! The pattern of the weaving is determined by the weavers being woven in and out of the staves (the vertical pieces), as well as the placement and
spacing of the staves, and perhaps the introduction of a different dimension of reed, and/or dyed reed, into the weaving. You must develop a feel for the appropriate tension of the weavers as you weave, as well as that for packing them down tightly throughout the formation of the basket.
There are many materials used in weaving baskets, and each has its own characteristics. Learning these comes with practice. When the basket reaches the height you want, you make a rim row and turn the staves over it, then you make the rim (using the shave pony and a draw shave knife to shape the overlap), and lash it over the rim row. If you have handles (wood, leather, ceramic), you either integrate them
into the weaving or into the rim row. Some people prefer to use stain on their finished baskets; I mainly prefer natural rather than stained.
What is your favorite thing about making a basket from start to finish?
I like weaving with most materials and enjoy the challenge of new designs and techniques. I recently wove a spoke basket with a branch for a handle, and weavers of seagrass. The technique and materials were new to me, and weaving the basket was my biggest challenge to date. My favorite thing is watching the basket take shape as I weave. It is very satisfying to finish a basket and use it for the purpose for which you made it.
How long does a typical basket take to complete?
No two baskets are the same, even if you are weaving the same design. You are using natural materials, and they vary. You accommodate the character of the materials as you go. This is why hand-woven baskets show the “hand” of the person making them. If two people are making the same basket design with the same dimensions and using the very same materials, the baskets will be entirely different. I am generally a fast weaver, but the time to weave a basket varies. I have woven a basket in 6 hours, and others in 40 hours. One basket took me a year!
From preparing the raw reed to carefully tensioning the weavers around the staves, each of Claire’s handwoven baskets is a unique study in structural art, patience, and natural materials.
Has Spring Lake influenced your work?
Growing up in Spring Lake and being in such a rich architectural environment contributed to my career path. Basketry is a convergence of the things I love. It involves math (patterning and designing), science (the use of natural materials and the understanding that a material has characteristics that allow it to do some things structurally and not others [not all materials can do everything, but each one does something well]), and art (using your hands to shape and make a vessel or an object).
What do you love about teaching and creating here in Spring Lake?
My students are wonderful! They are eager to learn and willing to try something that is very unfamiliar to them. I feel that I am teaching my neighbors, which is a joy, and in the process, perhaps creating an interest in them to continue weaving, and as such, have even a small impact on the continuation of basketry.
What made you want to start teaching basket-making classes?
A few years ago, I saw the call for artists for the Artisans Showcase at the Spring
Lake Library and Community Center.
I asked if they would be interested in my entering a couple of baskets in the showcase, which I did. I have done so for three years, and each year, people have asked if there were any opportunities to learn to weave. In response to the questions, I have worked with the Spring Lake Library to offer two classes and will hopefully continue to do so.
Why do you think people want to take classes?
I think they take a class because they are curious about weaving a basket. There are not many places to learn the craft (it is a dying art), so people see there is a class and are eager to try. The byproducts are a sense of community among those who come together to weave and an appreciation for the time and skill it takes to weave even a simple project.
What do you hope people take away after making a basket with you?
They leave with a finished basket, pride in having made a beautiful piece of art, and hopefully some new friends. I hope they also take away an appreciation of what it takes to weave a basket and perhaps are encouraged to try another weaving project.
People are gradually putting down their phones and are engaging with other people in person; they are coming back to knitting, crocheting, quilting, throwing pottery, and even hooking rugs. The satisfaction of producing something with your hands that is beautiful, useful, and unique is a wonderful experience.
Whether experimenting with vibrant dyed reeds, integrating custom handles, or shaping classic utility styles, Claire’s designs showcase the endless creative possibilities of modern basketry.
August Pages, Endless Summer
August is the “Sunday” of summer, but incredible releases have not slowed down!
BY KATE CZYZEWSKI
“I can never in a hundred summers get tired of this .”–Susan Branch
“BIG AND LILY”
by Lisa Roe (event at TR Books 8/13)
The staff and book club at Thunder Road has had an obsession this summer with road trip books! From “Road Trip” by Mary Kay Andrews to “The Road to Tender Hearts” by Annie Harnett, we are loving the stories that unfold out on the road! In “ Big and Lily,” sisters Bridget “Big” and Lily have had opposite experiences within their own marriages and families. When Lily discovers her perfect life is in fact, the exact opposite, she feels an escape is inevitable. The two sisters embark on an unforgettable
journey to Alaska. This story is the perfect end-of-summer-but-it’s-stillsummer recommendation!
“TAKE WHAT YOU CAN”
by Naima Coster
The booksellers keep saying that 2026 is the year of the dual narration story, and that definitely includes this read. For readers who loved “Kin” by Tayari Jones, this story follows two friends who instantly bond on their study abroad program as the only two black students in attendance. When they reconnect years later, they grapple with the question of how much their friendship has influenced who they are as adults.
“WHISKEY BUSINESS” by Adrian
Andover
This book is perfect for fans of an old school mystery: think “Murder, She Wrote” by Agatha Christie and “Sherlock Holmes” vibes. The story takes place at a literary themed speakeasy in which main character and owner, Reece, discovers someone has been murdered in the back alley of his bar. This mystery leans into cozy with great minor characters and fun literary-themed cocktails! I loved it. The sequel, “Pour Choices,” is out now too!
“ORDINARY HEROES”
by Joseph Pfeifer
I would be remiss not to mention, as both a bookseller and a (back then) child who lived through the experience of witnessing 9/11, the 25th Anniversary edition of Firefighter Joe Pfeifer’s “Ordinary Heroes.” During 9/11, Joe was Battalion Chief for the division who first responded that day. Having lost his own brother in the North Tower, Joe shares his firsthand experiences and those of many 9/11 families. Commemorating the 25th anniversary of Sept. 11, this new paperback edition will include an updated epilogue. Having been a part of the FDNY family for many years now, revisiting this memoir feels like a must and a reflection, especially on this monumental anniversary.
Kate Czyzewski is the manager, buyer, and events coordinator for Thunder Road books in Spring Lake.
PHOTOGRAPH BY MICHAEL SCOTTO
Photo by Amy Nolan
OP
A LIFETIME OF SPRING LAKE SUMMERS
IF THESE BADGES could talk...They are a measure of time, a slice of the town’s history, a keepsake of summers that shaped a life: Pier Beach; a summer as a lifeguard at the Allaire Hotel, a salesperson in a ladies’ clothing store on Third Avenue, a chambermaid at The Sandpiper. Weekend canteen at St. Catharine’s. West Wind jackets. A pair of sandals made by Denny at The Camel’s Eye. Crumb buns on Sunday from Freedman’s Bakery, lunch at Dale’s, and movies at the Ritz. Crabbing in Wreck Pond. Ice cream at Peterson’s. Skim boarding at low tide, fishing from the jetty. Friendships that lasted a lifetime, and pure joy. Maybe these badges can talk after all. - by Claire Gallagher
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