Issuu

Spring Lake JANUARY 2026

ALSO SERVING SEA GIRT

A LIFE WITHOUT LIMITS FRANKIE KINEAVY

SWEET PEA INTERIOR DESIGN ROOTED IN FRIENDSHIP

Arctic Adventure DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKERS TIM AND CHRIS LYONS

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Welcome to our Town! G O T O T H E G O -T O >

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Contents JANUARY 2026

F EATU RES

Adventure Brothers

Two Sea Girt-born brothers make a documentary film about an incredible Arctic climate expedition. 18

A Life Without Limits

One man’s inspiring journey to create community and impact no matter the setbacks. 22

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Sweet Pea

This Spring Lake staple is rooted in friendship and history.

I N TH I S I S SU E

PUBLISHER’S NOTE Happy New Year!

LOCAL TASTES Family Roots Built on Tradition

LIFE OUTDOORS The Bench

Q&A With Christina Lilly

BOOK NOOK Embracing the Cold Season

PHOTO OP Frozen in Time

COVER

Brothers Tim and Chris Lyons. Photograph by Michelle Wolfe

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PUB LISH E R’S NOTE

Spring Lake MAGAZINE

A FRESH NEW START! As much as we love the holiday season, there is a certain peace in putting the decorations away and greeting the clean slate of January. It is the perfect month to take stock of our lives, our routines, and our goals. In this issue, we feature neighbors who are doing just that on every scale. Sea Girt brothers Tim and Chris Lyons take stock of our planet’s climate history through

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PHOTOGRAPH BY MICHELLE WOLFE

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

their incredible Arctic expedition. Back on Third Avenue, we celebrate Ellen Gerard, whose design shop, Sweet Pea, has been a local cornerstone for 38 years. Her story is a beautiful reminder of our town’s history, built on the kind of community spirit where “handshake deals” were the gold standard. Finally, we share the journey of Frankie Kineavy. His new book, “The ChairLeader,” challenges us to take stock of our own potential, proving that true leadership knows no limits. We’ve also noticed that our readers have a deep love for Spring Lake and Sea Girt nostalgia. We would love to feature more of your vintage stories and photos! Be sure to check out our Photo Op page to see a beautiful shot of ice skating on the lake from the 1950s. Then, take a look through your own attic, we can’t wait to see the treasures you find. Please share them with us at hello@springlakemagazine.com. Whether you are looking at the vastness of the Arctic or the history in your own home, I hope this issue inspires you to embrace the possibilities of 2025. With gratitude,

Publisher and Editor Brynn Coleman Brynn.Coleman@wainscotmedia.com Editorial Coordinator and Lead Writer Danielle Kutcher Writers Kate Czyzewski Judith Jones-Ambrosini Maria O’Donnell Patty Quinn Lead Photographer Christina Lilly Photographers Michelle Wolfe Michael Scotto

WAINSCOT MEDIA Chairman Carroll V. Dowden President and CEO Mark Dowden SVP, Group Publisher Thomas Flannery Regional Publisher Jodi Bruker VP, Content Strategy Maria Regan Creative Director Kijoo Kim Art Director Rosemary O’Connell Executive Editor Elaine Quilici Advertising Services Director Jacquelynn Fischer Operations Director Catherine Rosario Production Designer Chris Ferrante Print Production Manager Fern Meshulam Advertising Production Associate Griff Dowden

Brynn Coleman Publisher

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.

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LOCAL TASTES

Family Roots Built on Tradition

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Sharing life lessons and lots of laughs while cooking on Sundays. BY MARIA O’DONNELL SUNDAYS HOLD a special meaning for almost everyone. For some, it’s the day they celebrate their religion. For others, it’s the last day of the week and a day of rest. For our family, it has always been a combination of both as well as our dedicated family day. Every Sunday morning, my son and I have cooked together since he was 2 years old. Most of the time, we make sauce and meatballs using our own secret family recipe, and sometimes we change it up. We cook lighter in the summer and experiment year-round based upon what we feel like cooking, but the core of our cooking will always be our Sunday sauce (not gravy). We always make extra meatballs and have brought them to many friends and neighbors in our community. We have even dropped some off to the nuns when they lived next to the church. Some of my favorite meals I have ever cooked have been right beside my son, where I learn about what’s going on in his life while we share a lot of laughs. Tradition is something that I hold dear to my heart. It is very important to preserve family traditions. They root us to our heritage and our core, so that wherever the world takes us, our strong roots will always bring us home.

Maria and Bubs’ Fresh Pasta

People are always intimidated by making fresh pasta, and I cannot stress enough how easy it is. Once you make fresh pasta and get the hang of it, you will be able to whip it up without even looking at a recipe. This is one I found years ago that has been modified through the years; this is my tried-and-true recipe.

INGREDIENTS:

INSTRUCTIONS:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour. Any all-purpose flour will yield silky pasta if you follow this recipe.

1. A ttach the dough hook attachment on your mixer, or you can do it old-school style and make a well in the middle of your flour. Crack your eggs inside, then add your spices. Use a fork and start incorporating all of the flour. However you choose to mix it, once it’s incorporated, start adding cold water, enough until you have a nice ball of dough.

• 4 whole eggs •T wo good splashes of great olive oil. I love Oliva; it’s a Spanish olive oil, organic and biodynamic. You can really feel the difference in quality. I also use a variety of olive oil I get shipped directly from Italy that I learned about during my travels there, but lately, Oliva has been my favorite.

2. Next, you want to knead the dough. This is the most important step and where you get the actual consistency of the pasta. You’re actually stretching the gluten at this stage, so if you want silky pasta, get ready to work. 3. To knead the dough, flour a surface and stretch out the dough using the palm of your hand. Stretch it as far as it can go and then stretch it with the other hand. Fold the dough over and repeat. You’re going to knead for at least 10 minutes. If you’re looking for a good arm workout, this is it.

•A healthy pinch of Maldon sea salt. A local chef told me once to “remain faithful to your salt,” meaning whatever salt you prefer to use, stay true to it. I love Maldon sea salt. Most people use it for a finishing salt, but I use it for most everything. If I’m not using that, I’m using kosher or Himalayan pink salt.

5. I love my KitchenAid pasta roll attachments. I utilize the flat one, and then I flour those flat pieces of pasta and run them through the thin spaghetti attachment. I promise you it’s not cheating.

•W hatever spices you like! Sometimes I add fresh cracked black pepper, garlic seasoning, even pizza seasoning. I always love to flavor my pasta.

6. For a simple marinara sauce, use any type of meat you like, as long as it has a nice bone in it. Try a thick veal chop. Then sauté that in some great olive oil, add chopped onion, garlic and basil to flavor the oil. Then add your favorite can of whole tomatoes, a little bit of salt and pepper, and let it simmer.

rap the dough in plastic wrap when you’re done. You 4. W will know when you are done because the dough will start to get silky and soft. Let the dough rest for at least an hour, but up to several hours. Then you can roll it with a rolling pin and cut it into whatever shape you want.

PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF THE O’DONNELL FAMILY

Enjoy your Sunday dinner! Mangia!

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Maria O’Donnell is a food, wine and events writer who has contributed to numerous publications over the past 15 years. She lives in Spring Lake with her husband Brendan, and their two children, Annabelle and Bubba.

JANUARY 2026 |

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LI FE OUTDOORS

The Bench The Bench isn’t just a meeting spot—it’s a testament to friendship, resilience, and the pull of the ocean. BY PATTY QUINN

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PHOTOGRAPHS BY PATTY QUINN AND MICHAEL SCOTTO

IT ALL BEGAN AS a running group. Those who dreamed of competing in the New York City Marathon had to train for the grueling 26.2-mile race. About 40 people met at the South End Pavilion of the Spring Lake Boardwalk every Saturday at 8 a.m. Anyone could join the group. A prayer was said. You could always find someone who wanted to go the same distance and pace as you, be it five miles in one hour or 18 miles in two and a half, there was always a partner to run with you. Crazy enough, that was almost 50 years ago. Our group of marathoners reduced the distance to short local races. Eventually, walking was the fitness activity, until canes began to appear. It is important to note that this running background provides a broad basis for friendship. We have very different political views and income levels, yet there is a shared bond of trust and respect. The running group evolved into the walking group, and now the chat group. We refer to ourselves as “The Bench” since we meet every Saturday, summer through winter, at a sheltered bench on the boardwalk. We also swap books, especially in history and science, and that sparks interesting conversations.

From Left: Sue Schreck, John McGlinchy, Charles Cushing, Arnold Spinner, Claire Hayden, Ruthanne Wagner.

Of course, we review the previous night’s “Jeopardy!” questions too. Recently, the answer steered us to 12th-century Europe. We spent an hour discussing the Viking invasions and their early settlements. Two of us keep a phone handy to research and supplement our knowledge. We range in age from 75 to 90, and we watch out for each other. There are now fewer than 10 of us. Our group likes to remember those who have passed on in our storytelling. We know how lucky we are sitting together, bathed in sunlight regardless

of the temperature. Inspired by the ever-changing sea, we are sometimes delighted by the sighting of dolphins or even the occasional whale. The beauty of nature yanks each person out of bed in the morning. Sharing that appreciation of life with friends explains the magnetism of The Bench. It is a blessing. Patty Quinn was a fashion model in New York City and an elementary school teacher in Elizabeth. She now lives at the Jersey Shore and loves her weekly sessions at “The Bench.”

From Left: Jim Lenaghan, Arnold Spinner, John McGlinchy and Patty Quinn

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John C. Tassini, Esq.

Photo by Amy Nolan

Wills, Trusts & Estates: Planning and Administration

Maxwell, Tassini & Gardner, LLC (732) 230-5003 | jct@mtglawyers.com 302 Washington Ave., Spring Lake, NJ 07762 mtglawyers.com

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Get in Here! Become a contributing writer or photographer for Spring Lake magazine.

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Spring Lake

Also Serving Sea Girt

To contribute, contact Brynn Coleman at Brynn.Coleman@springlakemagazine.com or 908-472-3384.

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Two Sea Girt-born brothers make a documentary film about an incredible Arctic climate expedition.

BY JUDITH JONES-AMBROSINI

PHOTOGRAPHS BY MICHELLE WOLFE, SNAPSHOTS COURTESY OF THE LYONS FAMILY

BROTHERS TIM and Chris Lyons, who grew up in Sea Girt, shared a childhood environment that encouraged curiosity, an interest in science, the idea of helping others, and a love of film. That blend of interests eventually led them to create a feature film about a major scientific exploration in the Arctic Ocean. Tim Lyons, now 33, earned a degree in philosophy from Columbia University. His brother, Chris, 28, studied computer science at Stevens Institute of Technology. Tim was the traveler of the two, and his wanderlust led him to many places around the world. Along the way, he became interested in photojournalism and looked for stories as he traveled. Chris stayed closer to home, developing his skills

and founding OMMA Immersive Media, a 3D scanning business specializing in art, architecture, and real estate. He grew as both an artist and a digital 3D designer. THE EXPEDITION In early 2022, their lives took a turn. Tim, always curious about the origin of all things, learned about Expedition 403, a two-month voyage

to the Arctic Ocean. The mission took place aboard a modified commercial oil exploration ship that had operated as an ocean research vessel for 40 years. “This expedition might be compared to an international space station, but instead of exploring outer space, it was about exploring secrets from deep in the ocean floor,” Tim says. When Tim told Chris about the project, Chris was immediately enthusiastic. As they researched the exploration, the brothers decided the best way for them to qualify and contribute would be to utilize their combined skillsets to make a feature film about it. The preparation took two years. As their film plans developed, they realized they needed a professional filmmaker and called on friend Khyber Jones, a seasoned

Top: The Lyons brothers and cinematographer Khyber Jones prepare to film an interview at sea. Left: Chris and Tim set up a shot inside the seasediment repository at Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory.

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Right: Tim, Chris, and Khyber stand on the helideck of the JOIDES Resolution. Deep within the Arctic Circle, there is no sign of human activity for miles in any direction. Below: In Sicily, the team was granted access to vast, otherworldly salt mines deep underground.

cinematographer and documentary filmmaker. “Khyber jumped on board with great enthusiasm,” Chris says. “Our trio became known as The Tripod.” PREPARATION AND PERSONAL JOURNEYS Tim, Chris, and Jones underwent months of meetings and intense physical, intellectual, and

psychological preparation. The film itself required background shooting in places as diverse as Sicily and Texas before they boarded the vessel to travel to the Arctic as part of the official two-month expedition crew. While in Sicily, the brothers realized they were close to the village where their beloved grandfather served during World War II. They hold many fond memories of him from their

childhood in Sea Girt. The village, Bompietro, was just a few miles from where they were filming. They visited one day to honor the man who had been awarded the Purple Heart and the Silver Star medal for bravery. It was a touching moment for the Lyons brothers. THE ARCTIC VOYAGE The trio finally sailed from June to August in 2024. The voyage began with a combined crew of 120 people, including renowned international scientists. Once they reached the Arctic, scientists dug core samples and gathered geophysical data through a system of interconnected pipes to the sea floor. The project was part of JOIDES (Joint Oceanographic Institutions for Deep Earth Sampling). Tim noted the challenging conditions. “Two months living on a ship in the constant daylight of the Arctic Circle with its rough seas, cold weather and persistent threat of sea ice, was not a simple life,” he says. The brothers and Jones shared bunks at the bow of the ship. When the seas were rough, which was quite

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Left: The JOIDES Resolution framed against the peaks of Svalbard. Aerial photograph by Chris Lyons. Below: After a full day of shooting, Chris and Tim stand atop the drill tower of the JOIDES Resolution as it drifts at 81° north—exhausted, and quite literally on top of the world.

Expedition 403 to the Arctic was the final undertaking of this powerful vessel. The Lyons brothers and Jones documented the project so that others can see and appreciate the scientific exploration, teamwork, and creativity. When Tim, Chris, and Khyber talk about their adventures and the film, they do so with passion, enthusiasm, and big smiles. often, they rocked up and down and back and forth in the high swells. But Chris recalls the motion with a smile, “It was like being rocked in a cradle.” When asked about the food, he says: “Because it was an international voyage, we were served foods from different cultures. It was all good. One day the chef served a Frenchthemed dinner that included frogs’ legs. I hesitated to try them, but they actually tasted very good.”

backgrounds. “Our purpose is to create a feature film on this and other voyages utilizing hard science and themes of landscape, time, science fiction, and adventure to contextualize the complex question of how we know what we know about climate change in the present day,” Tim says.

To learn more and support the project, visit www.redfordcenter.org/films/thetime-travelers.

Judith Jones-Ambrosini is a Sea Girt resident, author of “The Sisterhood of Diabetes,” journalist, member of the Holly Club of Sea Girt, and cofounder of Shore Writers.

THE FILM’S PURPOSE According to The Tripod, they have two major goals for the film. The first is to take the viewer along on a journey through paleoclimate research, traversing geological eras with scientists as they collected and tested data from the ocean floor. The film will move from tree coring to ice coring, to giant salt deposits, to sea sediment samplings. The second goal is to highlight science as a large-scale collaborative endeavor. The crew and scientists involved in this shared mission came together from diverse cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic

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A Life Without Limits One man’s inspiring journey to create community and impact no matter the setbacks.

BY DANIELLE KUTCHER

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F PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF THE KINEAVY FAMILY AND CHRIS MALLEO

FRANKIE KINEAVY IS a writer, leader, assistant football coach, and advocate whose work reflects resilience, creativity, and a commitment to disability inclusion. Frankie was raised in Sea Girt, where he had strong family and community support, and that helped to shape his personal and professional life. Frankie was born with cerebral palsy and communicates through a letter board with the help of scribes who write down or

record what he communicates. His experiences contributed to a body of work that emphasizes leadership, representation, and authentic storytelling. BEGINNINGS After graduating from Villanova University, Frankie pursued writing, and later developed a friendship with Chris Malleo, former Wall High School quarterback and Peddie School football coach. In 2016,

Frankie became an assistant football coach alongside Chris, and their friendship evolved beyond the football field. In 2025, Chris approached Frankie with the concept that led to their co-authored book, “The ChairLeader: Lead Without Limits.” Published in October 2025, the book integrates Frankie’s life experiences with key leadership principles. He hopes that the book will show that a person doesn’t need to be able to walk or talk in order to be a leader or add value to an organization. Chris and Frankie both feel very strongly about this message being shared, so they continue to promote the book along with speaking engagements. CREATIVE WORK Frankie’s creative work includes “First Aide,” a play he wrote during the COVID-19 pandemic. This period marked a personally challenging time, during which he experienced stagnation in employment, limited social interaction, and uncertainty regarding longterm goals. Frankie reflects, “I was starving to connect; I was starving to achieve; I was starving to jumpstart my life. This is when I began writing

Opposite Page: Coach Kineavy on the field with the Peddie football team. This Page: Kineavy, outside his home in Sea Girt, with his book, “The ChairLeader: Lead without Limits.”

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my alternate story...if I had things my way.” These circumstances prompted Frankie to explore the question “What if?” This reflection produced the foundation for “First Aide,” which examines how a non-verbal wheelchair user might navigate life independently in New York City. After months of “banging my head against a wall,” Frankie reached out to Pat Barry, producer at the Spring Lake Theatre. He had attended performances at the theatre, and his sister had previously participated in the youth workshop, so he was familiar with them. Frankie consulted Pat with the idea of staging the show at the Community House. After collaboration with director Nick D’Ambrosia, “First Aide” premiered in September 2024. Frankie notes that the performance was “a blast, and I got to expand my

social network to a great group of people my own age.” Proceeds from the production, generously donated by Ms. Barry, funded the development of “The WheelDeal,” a proof-of-concept short film directed by D’Ambrosia. The film, a true labor of love, premiered at the SOHO International Film Festival in October 2025. According to Nick, “Frankie’s effort is unbelievable. It is always about the work. He always goes in with a smile and doesn’t let things limit him.” Frankie notes that the process of these projects demonstrates that young people with disabilities are eager to “get their hands dirty and work towards a goal.” He emphasizes that public perception often reflects individuals with disabilities at extremes, either in moments of significant struggle or exceptional achievement. He continues, “We get up every day, with goals to attain, both large and small. We are just like everyone else.”

CRAFTING COMMUNITY Frankie’s involvement with the Spring Lake Theatre community has been central to his personal and artistic development. The production of “First Aide” was fantastic, and the six-week collaboration of Broadway Meets the Boardwalk Fundraiser took it to a whole new level. Frankie worked with the choreographers, marketing staff, performers, and his friend Pat Roddy and Pat’s manager Matt. Frankie says that this allowed him to become a big part of the Spring Lake Community Theatre family. Frankie attributes much of his success to his family and the close-knit nature of his community. He notes that if this wasn’t the case, “there would not be Villanova or SOHO or books and films written.” He continues to be grateful for all the support that encourages him to keep moving forward. COACHING AND MENTORSHIP In addition to his creative work, Frankie maintains a strong commitment to coaching. He is the Offensive Assistant with the Robbinsville High School football program, saying “it is still the thing I get the most joy from.” He describes

PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF MICHAEL SCOTTO AND KATE CZYZEWSKI AT THUNDER ROAD BOOKS

Right: Kineavy, bottom left, with his scribe, and Director Nick D’Ambrosia, far right, with the cast of “First Aide” at the Spring Lake Theatre. Bottom: Kineavy at the Soho Film Festival.

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Top: Kineavy with the Peddie varsity football team and coaching staff in 2019. Bottom: Kineavy is pictured with some of the players from the panel at “The ChairLeader” book event with Thunder Road Books at Spring Lake Theatre.

PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF MICHAEL SCOTTO AND KATE CZYZEWSKI AT THUNDER ROAD BOOKS

head coach Andrew Patterson as someone who exemplifies selflessness and communityoriented leadership. The inclusive nature of this environment mirrors his earlier positive experiences at the Peddie School and continues to reinforce his dedication to mentorship. Frankie says that communication from former players and managers is a particularly rewarding aspect of his coaching role. While also still promoting “The ChairLeader,” Frankie continues to develop his television series project and remains active in writing, public speaking, and collaborative work. Frankie’s projects are a

reminder that when people choose to make room for one another, anything is possible. As director and friend Nick D’Ambrosia says, “If you take the time and make the effort to include people with disabilities, you can really open up your world.” It is both the lesson Frankie teaches and the legacy he is building. Frankie’s book “The ChairLeader” is available now at Thunder Books in Spring Lake. Danielle Kutcher is a retired elementary school teacher and mom of three. She loves the beach, yoga and going on adventures with her family.

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Sweet Pea This Spring Lake staple is rooted in friendship and history.

having worked in the Impressionist and Modern Art Department at Christie’s in New York. Kineavy was an accomplished nurse with a passion for design. The women were in their 20s at the time and were eager to succeed right from the start. They acquired a business loan together and found the original space, located farther south on Third Avenue closer to the lake.

PHOTOGRAPHS BY CHRISTINA LILLY

BY MARIA O’DONNELL

LOCAL RESIDENT ELLEN Kelly Gerard started Spring Lake’s Third Avenue staple, Sweet Pea with her childhood best friend, fellow resident Madeleine Kineavy. It was more than 38 years ago when the friends saw a need in town for home furnishings. They wanted a place where people could select the fabrics and styles they liked for their beautiful beach homes. Gerard had an art background,

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JANUARY 2026 |

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Left: Ellen Kelly Gerard, left, and her husband, Dr. William Gerard, are pictured inside Gerard’s Third Avenue shop. Center and right: Gerard and her team deliver the finishing touches: expertly selected artwork and lamps to elevate your space, plus seasonal throw pillows for quick, stylish updates.

When that lease unexpectedly ended after only two years, the founders had to quickly find a new space to house all of their wares. They found luck and community spirit in the soul of a fellow resident, Fred Casagrande. They made a handshake deal with Casagrande, who owned the building that housed a vacant space. Casagrande helped the women move into their new space, which is now occupied by Elan Salon. Fred Casagrande charged them fair rent and never raised it in the 18 years the store was there, all based on that same handshake deal. Gerard knows the spirit of the town well. She lives in Spring Lake with her husband, Dr. William Gerard, in the same historical house that belonged to her parents and grandparents before them. One of eight children born in nine and a half years, Gerard and her siblings are part of the rich family history that is at the core of Spring Lake. Friendship between their parents

is how she met her husband; the families even shared one of the original boxes at Giants stadium. EVOLVING DESIGN Sweet Pea has continued through generations. It pressed on after Kineavy decided to stay home to raise her family and through the raising of Gerard’s four children. It is still going strong at its current space at 1222 Third Ave. today. Sweet Pea specializes in custom window treatments, wallpaper, furniture, furniture reupholstery, and design services. The store also has an array of charcuterie boards, serving trays, silverware, art, and other beautiful and unique items to use and decorate homes. Gerard’s team includes talented local designers Nancy De Maria, Donna Furlong, and Rula Casey. The team loves blending antique pieces and giving them modern compliments that work together. The border chosen for the first

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A SWEET DEAL: Transition Your Home from Winter to Spring As winter continues, homeowners often take stock of their interiors to determine what changes are needed for the year ahead. If you are looking to transition your home’s tone from season to season, Sweet Pea offers several strategies for a quick refresh. Ellen at Sweet Pea recommends the following updates to revitalize your space: •T extiles: Swap out throw pillows to easily shift a room’s theme. • L ighting: Incorporate new lighting to reflect your current favorite color palette. Changing lampshades can also give new life to existing fixtures. •D ining: Refresh tabletops by adding new placemats, napkins, and napkin rings. •B edding: Seasonal bedding changes are popular. Sweet Pea sells custom and ready-made options, as well as design services to assist with selection. •A ccents: Update picture frames, window treatments and art for a quick room makeover. • F looring: The shop now carries a new line of Missoni rugs. Additionally, they can create custom stair runners by upholstering the runner straight to the stairs for a modern, clean look. Whether you need a simple update or a complete design overhaul, Sweet Pea offers services to accommodate almost every idea.

store was a piece called “Sweet Pea,” which inspired the name. This local business has, like its namesake, woven into the fabric of the downtown. Evolved from offering small gifts and furniture, it is now a custom, quality design business that hundreds of locals have trusted for their Spring Lake and Sea Girt homes. The start of January is their busiest time of year, when Gerard says people take stock of their homes and decide how they want to revamp their spaces before summer. With in-house

consultations available and custom selections stacked high to their antique tin ceilings, Sweet Pea continues to complement the town with its sensitive style, classy charm, and thoughtful presentation. Maria O’Donnell is a food, wine and events writer who has contributed to many popular publications over the last fifteen plus years. She lives in Spring Lake with her husband Brendan and their two children, Annabelle and Bubba. JANUARY 2026 |

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Capturing Life Christina Lilly’s photography blends artistry, local charm, and a keen eye for detail. BY DANIELLE KUTCHER

INTERVIEW WITH

CHRISTINA LILLY CHRISTINA LILLY is an artist on the Spring Lake Magazine team whose work blends artistry, local charm, and a keen eye for detail. Her love for photography started young, inspired by the fashion magazines she grew up reading, which still guides her work today. Whether she is documenting local scenery or capturing candid moments, Lilly has a way of making every image feel meaningful. Her connection to Spring Lake and appreciation for its history come through clearly in her creations.

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How did you get started in photography? Fashion magazines are where it all began for me. I fell in love with the editorial spreads and always found inspiration from those great 1980s and 1990s stories. I was gifted a camera at age 12, and there was no turning back. I had this itch to create images like what I had seen in those magazines. The unattainable worlds within those spreads were my biggest inspiration. I worked in fashion for a decade out of college, and when my photography collided with a fashion-forward client, it just made sense. I started shooting for the people I was around, and it just happened.

wedding, I was attracting couples who were in search of something less traditional. Coincidentally, most of my weddings were destination weddings. This combination of travel mixed with these elaborate events was so exciting for me. It held my attention and went on to shape my photo career.

PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF CHRISTINA LILLY

What types of photography do you specialize in? I stumbled into wedding photography. I was asked to photograph a friend’s wedding, and she asked for a more candid approach. At that time, shooting a wedding candidly was not expected. The idea snowballed from there. I have since continued to approach weddings this way, and I was at the forefront of a change in the wedding industry. After her

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Do you have a favorite photo spot you have taken in Spring Lake or the surrounding area? I love working on Pier Beach at sunrise or sunset. It’s a magical spot with a variety of light and texture, and it is usually quiet at those hours. I love the offseason because that time of year feels special.

catching fireflies as we walked to get ice cream on those warm summer nights. It’s always been a familyoriented town. The simple pleasures are the most memorable to me: bike rides, the sound of the train, feeding the swans, fishing on the lake, and the manger at Christmas was always a childhood favorite.

What memories do you have of Spring Lake? All of my good childhood memories existed in Spring Lake. There was an ice cream shop right on the corner by my house. It’s no longer there (Susan Murphy’s), but I can remember

Do you find inspiration in the community? Spring Lake has old-world charm, and it holds a great sense of home. I am always searching for that pictureperfect world. That idealism exists here. There is so much inspiration in that.

Top right: Lilly collaborates with many local Spring Lake businesses, including Noon Designs, pictured here. Bottom right: Lilly works with Joyce Harris from the Third Avenue Chocolate Shoppe to create custom chocolate gifts for her clients.

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came a rather large collection of photographs, so I launched a series of fine art prints for buyers to collect. The idea has since grown to incorporate scenes from all over the world. I continue to shoot and curate images with the intention of bringing these beautiful places into homes and businesses. In addition to that, my newest project is working with Spring Lake Magazine. I am a big dreamer, so each day brings new ideas and opportunities. What advice would you give to aspiring photographers? Keep showing up and make friends everywhere. Photograph everything and don’t be afraid to experiment. Be authentic. The more you play, the more you will learn what you naturally gravitate toward. It’s an evolution that just happens as the years collect.

Have you collaborated with any local businesses or artists in Spring Lake? As a kid, Third Avenue Chocolate was such a treat. It became a family tradition to gift their chocolate on special occasions. I had the same idea to gift their homemade chocolate to my clients today. Joyce from Third Avenue and I created chocolate bars that I can wrap my photographs around as labels and share. It’s such a fun collaboration. I have worked with Noon Designs for many years now as well, from stationery to photo collaborations. I have also done some work with Waterlily. Faherty has featured some of my photographs in their first catalogs. I love so many businesses here in town and love to see the changes happening. I hope to collaborate with many more.

I love working on Pier Beach at sunrise or sunset. It’s a magical spot with a variety of light and texture, and it is usually quiet at those hours.

To learn more about Christina’s work, visit www.christinalilly.com, or email her directly at hello@christinalilly.com.

Danielle Kutcher is a retired teacher and mom. She loves the theatre, beach, and going on adventures with her family.

Are you currently working on any projects? During the COVID-19 pandemic, I was commissioned to document coastal New Jersey. From that JANUARY 2026 |

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BOOK NOOK

Embracing the Cold Season These books are sure to offer warmth during the chilliest time of year. BY KATE CZYZEWSKI

“THE ASTRAL LIBRARY”

By Kate Quinn (2/17) Our team can’t get enough of books about books! Have you ever said how much you wish you could just dive into the worlds your books have shared with you? In this magical tale, characters have the chance to literally leap into their favorite classic tales all while battling dark forces that are trying to ban books. It’s a very timely and a wonderful message for readers everywhere!

“EVERY JANUARY, the year begins again with whispers of possibilities that didn’t exist before.” — Maya Angelou Though January tends to be a quieter month, these upcoming releases will have everyone talking!

“CRUX”

By Gabriel Talent (1/27) For fans of coming of age and nature books, “Crux” is for you! Tamma and Dan are best friends. Both from very different backgrounds and families, they bond over their love of rock climbing. Gabriel’s way with creating characters is like nothing I’ve read before. While reading this, I kept getting feelings of the characters from “The Outsiders,” gritty and making their way in the world. I had never read about rock climbing in this way before.

Thunder Road Books hosts Kate Quinn at the Spring Lake Theatre on Feb 23 at 7 p.m. Tickets are available www. thunderroadbooks.com/events.

“VIGIL”

By George Saunders (1/27) From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of “Lincoln in the Bardo” comes a new tale and departure from his previous work. In this story, Saunders creates a dynamic character, a CEO of an oil company, who is on his deathbed. While faced with the confirmation that he is near the end, he begins to have visitors from this world and the next. Does he regret his choices? Think about changing his ways? Saunders’ commentary on the oil industry mixed with a dash of “A Christmas Carol” vibes here… you won’t want to miss this one!

“MORE THAN ENOUGH”

By Anna Quindlen (2/24) Anna Quindlen is the queen of heartfelt novels. Calling all my book club readers—this one is for you! At the core of this book is a book club and a group of women who have become very good friends over time. As a birthday gift, main character Polly receives a DNA test. When the results come back, a series of events unfold that make Polly question so much of who she is and the life she is leading. Thunder Road Books hosts Anna Quindlen at the Spring Lake Theatre on Feb. 28 at 4 p.m. Tickets are available at www.thunderroadbooks.com/events.

Kate Czyzewski manages and buys for Thunder Road Books, in addition to coordinating their events.

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Scully’s House Painting

3/12/24 2:00 PM

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Spotlight on Design JOHNNY BONGIOVANNI

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PHOTO OP

FROZEN IN TIME There is something magical about skating on a frozen pond on the first ice of the season. The ice is so clear that you can see the bottom in the shallows. I was seven years old when this picture was taken with my sister in 1957. I’m sure I spent more time falling down than doing what passed for skating. Much later, in 1994, I was able to enjoy that experience with my kids. ~ Henry Bossett

Dig out those vintage photos! Share your favorite local memories and snapshots of fun times in our beautiful towns. Email hello@ springlakemagazine.com to submit photos from your history in town.

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KW Tri-State Region: #1YTD Closed Units and Volume in the month of May out of 9,000 agents

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