Friends of Southern Ocean County Animal Shelter host bake sale fundraiser at Petsmart

The Friends of Southern Ocean County Animal Shelter will host a bake sale and pet adoption event at Petsmart, located at 219 Stafford Park Blvd. in Manahawkin, on Friday, Feb. 14, through Sunday, Feb. 16, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Valentine’s Day cookies, cakes, brownies and candies will be available for purchase.

Due to a limited number of available pets, the event will mainly serve as a fundraiser for FOSOCAS, to help cover publicity and pet care costs.

Photo via NAFC Animal Shelter
Cats and kittens are available for adoption
through the Southern Ocean County Animal
Shelter and the Manahawkin Petsmart.

“We have the very good problem of not having a tremendous number of dogs and cats right now that need to be adopted,” said Dorothy Reynolds, president of FOSOCAS. “I don’t know how to account for this, whether it’s just the cold weather, and they’re not finding cats, or people aren’t coming out and surrendering them, or just what it is. It’s a nice problem to have, but I don’t quite know what the reason is and whether all of a sudden, when spring comes, we’re going to be inundated again with animals. That could very well happen,” she added.

“There’s really no way to know this,” agreed Linda Bonvie, a volunteer with FOSOCAS. “But the shelter is like that old joke on the weather: just wait a day. Tomorrow, who knows how many kitties or dogs there might be. I hate to make people feel that they don’t have to help out by adopting, fostering, dog walking, or cat socializing, especially with kitten season right around the corner, because today there aren’t too many pets waiting to be adopted. Come back tomorrow,” she added.

The shelter is in great need of dog walkers, Bonvie urged.

Funds raised during the Petsmart event will help cover costs for the Friends’ trap-neuter-release program, which has served as an effective approach for keeping the area’s feral cat population in check. The money will also help pay for veterinarian bills for animals that are surrendered to the shelter with more complicated health issues.

“That’s quite expensive,” Reynolds emphasized.

A portion of the funds acquired during the event will go toward paying for the medical bills of an 8-month-old rescued kitten that has needed surgery due to a severely broken femur.

“It had been neglected by its owner, so it required special surgery because the leg had to be rebroken and set again,” said Reynolds. “That’s one of the things the Friends likes to take care of, that we could not take care of if we didn’t have all the donations from the generous people who contribute to our funds.”

The white and brown tiger kitten is currently in foster care. Anyone interested in adopting the kitten, or any other available pets, can fill out an application at Petsmart. Pictures of the dogs and cats from the local shelter will be showcased during the event.

“Who knows, by then we might have a whole bunch more (pets),” said Reynolds.

For more information, visit fosocas.org or call 609-978-0127.

— Kelley Anne Essinger


This article was published in The SandPaper.

SRHS graduates among crew for Super Bowl halftime show

New Jerseyans were beaming with pride on Super Bowl Sunday, when the Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos battled it out on the field at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford. But the football game wasn’t the focus for Southern Regional High School graduates Taylor Brennan, Brianna Dini and Francessa LaBianco. The Manahawkin residents were among the working crew on the field, helping to assemble the custom-built stage for the halftime show. This year’s performance was headlined by pop music artist Bruno Mars and rock band the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Photo by Taylor Brennan
Three Southern Regional High School graduates
helped with this year's Super Bowl halftime show.

“We took care of the unit that held Bruno’s drum kit, on the front of the stage where he begins the show, and the staging it rolls on. So we were right there next to him, before he started the show for all the rehearsals and on game day,” said Brennan. “We could all care less about the football; we are the kind of people that watch the halftime show, Grammy awards, etc. to see what lighting fixtures they are using, or how well the audio was mixed, and wondering what gear they used to pull off the show,” he added.

According to Nielsen ratings, the audience measurement systems that determine the audience size and composition of television programming in the United States, this year’s Super Bowl halftime show is now the most-watched halftime show in history, with 115.3 million viewers, topping Madonna’s 2012 halftime show. The Guinness World Records listed the show as having the largest TV audience for a Super Bowl halftime performance. Beyonce’s 2013 halftime performance was the third most viewed show in history.

The opportunity for Brennan, Dini and LaBianco to participate in this year’s halftime show came after Brennan happened upon an article on last year’s performance. When he realized there were opportunities to work on the show in his home state, the others quickly joined him.

“To be honest, not many of us were huge fans of Bruno Mars or the RHCP, but we had a blast anyway,” said Brennan. “At one point, the television producer told us we had to look more like the ‘fans,’ with just as much excitement as the casted group of audience members behind us. We had to quickly get back to the stage after Bruno and his drums rolled by to get the truss portion of the stage off the field before Bruno started his first number.”

Photo by Taylor Brennan
The group had a bird's eye view
of Bruno Mars' stellar performance.

Thankfully, the three have had some experience working on different sets. Each member of the group has a background in production. Brennan and Dini work on many local theatrical productions at Southern Regional and the Stafford Township Arts Center. They primarily deal with production management and audio design, said Brennan. LaBianco is currently working on a bachelor’s degree in digital mass media and hopes to attend Montclair State University next year to further her education in TV and film production.

To get comfortable with the pieces they would be handling, the group traveled to the stadium for rehearsal a few weeks before the game. Every day they moved lights, audio gear, pyrotechnics and other equipment via carts. More and more equipment was added over the course of the weeks to make it more challenging, Brennan explained.

“Not once did anyone really talk about time, or how fast this has to be done,” he said. “There’s only around 24 minutes to get the stage out, perform and get everything back to the halftime tent. Everyone spoke of safety and doing everything precise. If you get those two down, you won’t ever have to worry about time,” he added.

Brennan said there were a lot of inner workings that went on, which “no one at home would ever see or know about.”

“During the last few dress rehearsals on the field, a bunch of pyro was cut from the show. The huge truss portion of the stage that is used to get Bruno from his starting point to the stage, that was rigged with lighting gear, pyro, camera gear, etc.,” he explained.

The group mingled with a number of NFL officials, passing them in the tunnel and stopping for hellos. They spent “a good amount of time” chatting with Bruno’s drum technician, Jason, as well as his personal assistant, Ryan Keomaka.

Of course, security was tight, said Brennan. After passing through security checks to get into the compound, the group was required to show their credentials, official wristbands, “around every corner, door and gate.” They were also advised not to take photos, post any video, or share any details about the show until Sunday. Releasing such content would spoil the performance and create a security hazard, they said.

“It’s an awesome experience. Not only do you get to work on a huge event like the Super Bowl halftime show, you also meet and work with people, both professionals and others who are just in it for the experience, that you will never forget,” said Brennan. “We made so many new friends last week, and we all plan to fly to Arizona for next year’s halftime show and pre- and post-game show setup. We miss everyone like crazy already and cannot wait to do it again.”

— Kelley Anne Essinger


This article was published in The SandPaper.

Beach Haven Volunteer Fire Co. offers a delicious platter during its 97th annual Turkey Dinner

The Beach Haven Volunteer Fire Co. offers its 97th annual Turkey Dinner in the fire station at the corner of Amber Street and Bay Avenue on Saturday, Feb. 15. Guests are invited to enjoy the food as a sit-down or takeout meal between noon and 8 p.m. Tickets for the event cost $20 per person and can be purchased at the door.

Proceeds will benefit the fire company’s year-round expenses, which are funded primarily through donations, said Steve Westberg, a local fireman who has been working with the Beach Haven Fire Co. for more than 15 years.

Photo by Jack Reynolds
The Beach Haven Fire Co. serves
up a delicious turkey platter.

“It’s part of our fundraisers to sustain the fire department. It’s one of our biggest fundraisers. The community really helps us out with that,” said Westberg. “A lot of the families of the firemen and the local kids in the neighborhood come in to help, and they make a couple dollars in tips.

“Most of the money goes toward our general operations,” he added. “We are trying to purchase another fire truck because one fire truck got damaged in Sandy, and we have to replace that.”

The fire company normally serves around 2,400 dinners during the event. The meal includes turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, green beans, rolls, gravy, dessert and non-alcoholic beverages.

The event will be held “rain or snow.”

“We don’t let the weather chase anybody away; we’re having the dinner,” said Westberg. “If they need to, we can give them takeout; whatever the people need, we’ll accommodate them. We’ve served it in floods, snow, everything. We don’t run out, so you don’t have to make reservations,” he added.

For more information, contact the Beach Haven Fire Co. at 609-492-6007.

— Kelley Anne Essinger


This article was published in The SandPaper.

It's not yet Valentine's Day, and Lucille's chocolatier is working on Easter

Janice Eisman, a third-generation owner and chocolatier of Lucille’s Candies, finishes wrapping up three 20-pound chocolate rabbits before moving on to the next order of 12 three-pound dark chocolate bunnies. Although it’s only February, the Valentine’s Day candy making is complete, with chocolate hearts and flowers already packaged and sold in the main store in Manahawkin.

“It’s the old trick,” said Eisman. “You show the next holiday before the holiday people are shopping for. You plant the seed so they know what they want to buy.”

Photo by Ryan Morrill
Janice Eisman fills Easter egg molds with
dark chocolate, using a manual pump.

Always one step ahead, the candy maker zips around the company’s second shop in Brant Beach, pouring melted chocolate into old, German-style Easter egg molds and transferring them to the magnetic rotational filler, what she calls the “spinner.” It is kept in a small refrigeration unit, which is set at a balmy 42 degrees. The spinner helps set the molds and fill in the air bubbles by rotating them 160 degrees in both directions.

It’s a monotonous job, Eisman admits.

“Each mold in this building is a different product,” she said. “I just fill these molds all day long, over and over and over and over again.”

Eisman makes 148 different items for Easter, including rabbits, chicks, cows, dogs, frogs and cats. Every Easter season, the store averages around 12,000 pounds of chocolate, which is about 35,000 individual pieces.

“We’re going through 3,000 pounds of dark (chocolate), and I just had a pallet of 2,500 pounds of milk chocolate come in,” she said.

As a chocolatier making confectionary from chocolate, which is different than a chocolate maker who creates chocolate from cacao beans, Eisman comes into the shop six days a week to flip on the equipment and check on the chocolate, which is kept liquid overnight. When the chocolate is cooked, it must have a nice, shiny look and a clean snap, she explained.

To check the temperature of the chocolate, she dips her finger into the melting tank and presses it to her upper lip, “where your mustache grows.” Chocolate should be heated to 91 degrees. If it is too hot, the molds will dry with gray or white streaks, she explained.

Although Eisman originally attended college to pursue a career in accounting, she said she is glad she decided to work in the family business. The job suits her hyperactive nature, she said, and she has a lifetime of experience working in the shop.

Photo by Ryan Morrill
The 20- and three-pound chocolate bunnies
are already packaged and ready to be sold.

Candy makers were originally called confectioners, said Eisman, but the process and the name changed to “chocolatier” around the 1960s and ’70s. She grew up working in the industry alongside her parents, Ginger and Larry, and her brothers, Karl and Nathaniel, pulling icing decorations off of wax paper and placing them on cream eggs traveling down the conveyor belt.

“In grade school you have little fingers, so I could peel them without breaking them,” Eisman remembered. “Now my hands are bigger, and they’re kind of clumsy. They don’t cooperate with me some days.”

The 48-year-old’s professional confectionary skills date back to her grandparents, Lucille and Larry, who originally opened the business in 1927 in Philadelphia, before they relocated it 20 years later to East Bay Avenue, which was the main road to Long Beach Island at the time.

“This was my grandfather’s fishing spot,” said Eisman. “I realized that this was really a happier place to be. My family was here. Even though sometimes working with your family can be tricky, for the most part we were all pretty happy, and we liked what we did.

Photo by Ryan Morrill
Chocolate hearts are the last of the
Valentine's Day inventory.

“It’s a nice environment, let’s be honest. It smells good, and most of the time people are happy here,” she added. “In hindsight, I think I would have been miserable in accounting, sitting at a desk all day and telling people things they don’t want to hear, or have to change. No thanks; I’d rather create a product.”

After much success, the family opened a second shop on the oceanside of Long Beach Island. The shop, known for its gigantic “Oh Fudge” sign, is the chocolatier’s main headquarters.

“Depending on what we’re making, I can pour a rabbit, have it dried and ready to come out of the mold within a half an hour,” Eisman claimed. “If it’s a seven-pound rabbit, I can have it done in an hour. If it’s a 20-pound rabbit, it takes me 2½ hours. The more chocolate, the more drying time.”

The Brant Beach store is only open as a retail shop during the summer months. In the off-season, the shop is converted into a chocolate factory, used solely for cooking and packaging chocolate. Eisman creates orders for about 30 other stores and 10 fundraisers for different schools. Although she helps decorate the products, she said she prefers to do the cooking. She uses the same recipe and Wilbur chocolate her grandparents started with.

Although the process is mostly the same, the prices have, of course, increased. As a kid, Eisman said the cost for a pound of chocolate retailed around $10. A pound of chocolate now retails around $18.50.

“Chocolate is a commodity just like sugar, corn, gold, or silver, because it’s grown,” Eisman explained. “It’s supply and demand. It varies all the time. In my lifetime the cost has doubled.”

But the high price is nothing compared to the strain of the manual labor required of a chocolatier, Eisman said. She receives the chocolate in 50-pound cases. Sugar is delivered in 50-pound bags, and corn syrup comes in 260-pound barrels. A single batch of fudge requires a gallon of water, 12 pounds of corn syrup, three pounds of sugar, 12 quarts of light cream and three pounds of butter.

“You have to manually put that all in a giant copper pot, then put the pot on the stove and cook it,” she explained. “There’s not many of us left because nobody wants to do this kind of work, because it’s manual labor.

“I’m not saying a woman can’t do it. I’ve done it for 20 years, but it’s nice to have a guy to help you unload the chocolate, too,” she added. “It’s nice to have a guy to help the ladies because most of my employees are my age, and they get tired. But who’s to say? Look at me, I’m doing it, and I’m 48.”

Working as a chocolatier is also messy work. The sweet chocolate stains clothing, hands and floors. Eisman said she replaces the cardboard, used to keep the floor free of chocolate, every two weeks.

“Chocolate is a liquid. That’s why I’m so dirty,” she said.

But despite the messy work and even poor dental health from eating so much chocolate throughout the day, Eisman said she really does love her job.

“Being a chocolatier is fun, I have to say. Right now I’m making chocolate rabbits. When I’m done chocolate rabbits I will turn into a retail store, and I will be selling fudge and salt water taffy,” she said. “My brothers will be sending me taffies and chocolates and nonpareils, raisin clusters, coconut clusters – that product line. That’s what they create in their building. Then the fall rolls around, and I’m back to making hollow pumpkins, turkeys and Santas. And then, bam, you’re right back into Easter, making a different product.”

— Kelley Anne Essinger


This article was published in The SandPaper.

Stockton College hosts ‘Go Red for Women’ events at Manahawkin Instructional Site

For more than 10 years, the American Heart Association has sponsored National Wear Red Day to raise awareness in the fight against heart disease in women. In honor of this work, the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey plans to “Go Red for Women” in February, as part of the AHA’s efforts to raise awareness and funds in the battle against heart disease and stroke. This year’s Wear Red Day on Feb. 7 is part of a series of mostly free, public events at Stockton from Feb. 5 through 14.

“Stockton has been involved in the American Heart Association’s ‘Go Red for Women’ efforts for the past three years,” Dot Saatkamp, wife of Stockton President Herman Saatkamp, said in a press release. “This year, the Stockton community has responded to our call-to-action with great enthusiasm. There are events planned that we believe everyone can benefit from. Our goal is to help raise awareness in the fight against heart disease and stroke. If we save just one life, our efforts will have been worthwhile,” she added.

An information table with some heart-healthy snacks will be set up in the lobby of the Manahawkin Instructional Site, located at 712 East Bay Ave. in Stafford Township, throughout the week of Feb. 3. The supplies will be available from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, and from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday and Friday. A “Top 10 Reasons to Smile” event will be held in room 1 between 1 and 2 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 14. Join Raina Gazurian of AtlantiCare for a lunch and learn about women’s heart health and ask questions about designing a healthy lifestyle on Wednesday, Feb. 19, from noon to 1 p.m.

For a full listing of events, dates and times, visit stockton.edu and search for the word “heart.”

— Kelley Anne Essinger


This article was published in The SandPaper.

Vehicle fire disrupts Beach Haven fire company's annual awards dinner

A half hour before the Beach Haven Volunteer Fire Co.’s annual installation and awards dinner, held at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 18, the local fire department was dispatched for a fully engulfed vehicle fire on the beach at 112th Street in Long Beach Township.

“We had some guys who were dressed in suits, and the one active girl (firefighter) was in her dress. Some guys weren’t even dressed and ready for dinner yet,” said Matthew Letts, Beach Haven fire chief.

A total of 23 members responded to the call, and the fire was extinguished with foam.

Photo via BHVFC
The Island-based fire company responds to a
vehicle fire on the beach in Long Beach Twp.

“The whole Jeep was on fire, front to back, but it was quick to put out,” said Letts.

The Ship Bottom Volunteer Fire Co., which was scheduled to cover any calls for the Beach Haven department during its annual dinner, stopped by the scene to assist Bill Gee, Ocean County fire marshal, in the investigation. The cause of the incident was ruled an accidental engine compartment fire.

“The investigation is complete. There was nothing suspicious with it,” said Gee.

The Beach Haven fire department responded to 316 calls during the 2013 calendar year, making it the second highest year in calls after 2012, when the department responded to 400 calls.

“Last year, the beginning of the year was busy for us because we were still coming out of the storm (Sandy). We had a pretty crazy start to the year,” said Letts.

On average, the fire company usually responds to about 250 to 280 calls annually, he said. The bulk of the calls in 2013 consisted of 101 fire alarms, 46 gas leaks and 38 arcing wires.

— Kelley Anne Essinger

This article was published in The SandPaper.

Princess the camel makes final pass, no Super Bowl prediction this year

Princess the prophetic camel, known around the world for her ability to select winning football teams, particularly in the Super Bowl, died just a few weeks before the big game, this year in New Jersey on Sunday, Feb. 2.

“She was a very big part of everything that went on here, not just because of her size. It was her personality and everything,” said John Bergmann, general manager of Popcorn Park Zoo in Forked River, where Princess lived for 10 years. “She was a very big presence here, and we’re all saddened by her loss. The fact that it happened before the Super Bowl, I don’t know that makes a big difference to us. It’s coincidental; it really is,” he added.

Photo via Popcorn Park
Princess the beloved camel is known for
selecting winning football teams.

Princess was humanely euthanized at 27 years old, after suffering from severe arthritis that made it impossible for her to stand due to a parasite that she had contracted, which her sister, Baby, died of in the early 1990s.

“Princess also had quite a bit of damage done to her joints, but she did survive it. So she’s been compromised for a pretty long time,” said Bergmann.

The local zoo took over the care of Princess in 2004, after the members of Duke Farms in Hillsborough Township, which protected endangered species for many years, including Princess since she was 6 months old, decided to turn the park into an environmental center.

“The veterinarian that Princess had all her life also worked for us, and he knew that this would be a great place for her to live out her life,” Bergmann said.

Princess began selecting winning teams during football season after The Hawk, a Toms River radio station, decided to include one of the animals from the zoo for their predictions.

“Princess was perfect because she loved graham crackers,” said Bergmann.

Whichever hand Princess ate the graham cracker out of would indicate which team she predicted to win for each game, he explained.

“She did it all football season long, and then ended up at the Super Bowl. She had really good seasons,” said Bergmann. “She was very, very good with the Super Bowl picks.”

Princess’ predictions came true for six out of the seven seasons. Last year, she successfully chose the Baltimore Ravens, who beat the San Francisco 49ers by three points during the 2013 Super Bowl. Princess did not get the chance to choose this year’s Super Bowl winner.

A memorial service for Princess will be held on Sunday, Feb. 2 (Super Bowl Sunday) at Layton’s Home for Funerals in Forked River. The service with a few tributes and a special video will start at 10:30 a.m.

“I think that’s very fitting because she made her celebrity status in newspapers and in sports magazines and radio shows all over the country every time Super Bowl season comes around. So that’s her time of the season, I think,” said Bergmann. “Wherever the teams are from, as soon as she makes her pick, I got radio stations and newspapers from those towns calling and wanting to know who she chose and why. That’s probably one of her busiest times,” he added.

In lieu of flowers, the zoo is asking people to send donations in memory of Princess to Popcorn Park at 1 Humane Way, Forked River, N.J. 08731. Funds should be addressed to Princess.

— Kelley Anne Essinger


This article was published in The SandPaper.

Animal experts urge pet owners to bring pets inside during cold weather

As the outside temperature drops and the wind chill increases, the heavy blankets are taken out of the closets and the heat in the house is turned up. While scrambling to make the inside living conditions a bit more tolerable, it is important to remember that pets need a warmer environment, too.

“It’s a very critical time to be more in tune with our pets, especially when it gets down to the freezing and the below-freezing mark,” said Brian Lippai, animal facilities manager at the Ocean County Health Department. “A lot of pet owners seem to neglect their pets as they get cold. We certainly encourage and would really like to urge people to bring their pets indoors during this time when it does get cold.”

Photo via Marie Claire
Cold weather makes it the perfect
time to cuddle with furry friends!

Indoor-outdoor pets should not be let outside, either. Many animals get lost in the snow and ice because they lose the scent and landmarks to find their way home, said Dorothy Reynolds, president of the Friends of Southern Ocean County Animal Shelter. Many animals also get hit by cars during snowstorms since they are not aware of the street curbs. Cats looking for shelter often crawl under car hoods. If a driver starts a car without banging on the hood to jostle the cat out, it can be severely injured or even killed, she added.

“As much as your furry little friend wants to go outside and hang around, I would not leave them out at all. I would keep them indoors until the temperature rises,” said Lippai.

If animals are not welcome inside the home, such as in the mudroom or a spare room, Lippai suggests bringing them into the garage. If that is not an option, he said owners must provide their pets with permanent outside housing. The lodging should be raised 1 to 2 feet off the ground. Lippai recommends using lots of blankets and lining the inside of the area with hay or straw to keep it insulated. Protected shelter, such as igloo-style doghouses, can be purchased at many pet stores, such as Petsmart. The housing should be free of drafts and leaks to help keep out wind and rain.

“Animals are in just as much danger as humans as far as being exposed to the elements and any kind of hypothermia,” said Lippai. “Freezing and hypothermia is very prevalent. A lot of people do it; there are a lot of cases every winter of people just not thinking. Just by being smart, they could really save their pet’s life. A dog can very quickly get hypothermic and can die.

“If your dog is in a tight area and he doesn’t have an opportunity to move and to exercise, just like a human, a dog’s body temperature, in a confined area, can drop dramatically. That’s a big concern,” he added.

Bedding should be kept elevated from the ground. Kuranda dog and cat beds are equipped with raised legs and can be used outdoors.

“Once the temperature freezes, the moisture in the dirt or grass is going to freeze. Since the ground is already frozen, basically that poor pet is going to be sleeping on a slab of ice, really,” said Lippai. “It is very important that the animals are kept warm. It’s very dangerous for the animals to be outside, especially when it comes to a combination of the cold and the wind.”

Plenty of fresh water is also essential. Pet owners need to check on the water consistently to keep it from freezing. Lippai suggests checking on the supply every half-hour to an hour.

Pets who have a shorthaired coat and are typically groomed may need a coat or sweater for extra protection and warmth. Booties are a good choice for pets with sensitive paws, especially when salt and other slip-resistant substances are on the ground.

“A lot of folks like to dress up their pets because it’s cute, but there are practical purposes for some of those items. Salt in a wound, as you know, is extremely painful,” said Lippai.

Antifreeze and ice melts are toxic to pets if ingested from the ground or licked from their paws and fur. Choose a pet-friendly alternative instead. Reynolds suggests wiping off the animal’s paws after being brought inside.

For more tips on how to keep pets safe during cold weather, visit aspca.org/pet-care/cold-weather-tips.

— Kelley Anne Essinger


This article was published in The SandPaper.

Beach Haven council honors public works for help during Superstorm Sandy

The Beach Haven Council saluted its public works department during its meeting held Monday, Jan. 13. Councilmen James White and Charles Maschal Jr. handed out certificates to each member of the department, snapping photographs and recognizing their efforts during Superstorm Sandy.

Photo via Asbury Park Press
The Beach Haven public works department
responds to damage from Superstorm Sandy.

“No words could ever express the gratitude that this town owes to the public works department,” said White. “We’ve been saying it publicly, I think, since the storm started. I don’t think anybody has seen anything like this since 1962. It was a Herculean task what happened.”

Referring to them as “sometimes unsung heroes,” White congratulated every single member for doing what they had to do without complaint and without regard to their personal lives, which had been “severely interrupted.”

“Everybody came out and put their heart, their soul and especially their backs into what they had to do,” he added.

Despite the devastation, White said the department “rose to the occasion, surmounted it and brought our town back to the beauty that it is now, from the beaches to the bay.” 

— Kelley Anne Essinger

This article was published in The SandPaper.

Zumbathon to benefit Scojo's Restaurant manager

Photo via Salsa Orlando
The Surf City Volunteer Fire Co. hosts a zumbathon
to benefit a local resident who is battling leukemia.

Dance, donate or just watch at the A.L.L. for Dawn Zumbathon, led by freelance instructor Theresa Brown, on Saturday, Jan. 25, from 11 a.m to noon. The event, held at the Surf City Firehouse, located at 713 North Long Beach Blvd., will benefit Scojo’s Restaurant manager Dawn Russo, who was diagnosed in October with acute lymphomoblastic leukemia. A suggested $10 donation is requested. Checks can be made payable to “David’s Dream and Believe for Dawn Russo.”

“Every additional amount of money we can raise for her is pretty significant. So we’re trying, even if we just raise a little bit at a time,” said Mary Alice Basile, a Ship Bottom resident and long-time friend of Russo. “We exercised together and attended zumba classes prior to her becoming sick,” she added.

Another zumbathon will be held for Russo at the Ship Bottom Firehouse in March. For more information, call Basile at 201-207-2192.

— Kelley Anne Essinger

This article was published in The SandPaper.

Beach Haven council considers trailer ordinance, water usage

Beach Haven’s first borough council meeting of the new year, held Monday, Jan. 13, picked up right where it left off in December, addressing old business the council and Beach Haven’s constituents have not yet come to full agreement on. More than a year ago, concerned citizens Don and Bonnie Lenhard suggested the town create an ordinance that would keep people from parking recreational, construction and commercial vehicles on residential streets during the nighttime.

Recently, Councilman Charles Maschal Jr. explained, Don Lenhard asked members of the council to drive around town with him “so he could show each of us personally where he felt there were trailers that were causing a blight in the community.” Three of the five council members acquiesced to the tour, and many of the owners of the trailers agreed to move them when asked.

Photo via Wikipedia
Beach Haven, known on LBI as the "Queen City,"
is a late 19th-century, beach-front resort originally
established in 1873 to house wealthy, summer
residents from Philadelphia. 

“Our objective is to be responsive when taxpayers raise questions and issues,” said Maschal. “Our intent is to do so with the best interest to ensure our streets are in compliance and that we are following the law.”

Mayor Robert Keeler said the council wants to be able to think through the issue before passing an ordinance that could be disadvantageous for other residents. He raised the point that many households have more than one car and no driveway.

“We can’t expect people to park a mile away from their house,” he said.

To help move things forward, Councilman James White said a letter would be drafted and attached to every permit coming out of the building department, requesting that contractors respect the rights of the homeowners and avoid parking their vehicles in front of other peoples’ homes. The code enforcement officer will follow up, he explained.

In response, Bonnie Lenhard said she believed this could work only as a temporary solution.

“Do we have to wait until an accident happens to do something? Let’s be proactive and do something before something happens,” she added.

Resident Irene Bailey said she, too, has had a similar problem in which her neighbors have not moved their truck for more than a year.

Of course, many residents sat on the other side of the fence, too.

Tammy Harrison said her 17-year-old daughter, Amanda, has four sport racing cars, which are personally registered. They must be kept on the street in front of the family’s property due to limited available space.

“We don’t have a lot of money, so we can’t store them anywhere else. That’s the only location, but they do move,” said Tammy.

Other residents agreed that neighbors with private-use trailers and vehicles should not be forced to move their personal property.

“I just don’t understand their (the council’s) reluctance to pass an ordinance,” said Bonnie. “This is not going to cost them any money. It will make the town look better, make it safer and enhance real estate value. Why would you not want ordinances to keep confrontations from happening? I still question their motives,” she added.

Richard Crane, borough manager, also mentioned at the meeting that the number of gallons of water pumped in town during the 2013 calendar year was down 22 million gallons from 2012. This is significant, he said, considering the town did not pump any water in November 2012 following Superstorm Sandy. The town also pumped 40 percent less water than normal in December 2013.

Because of this, the town has received more calls than usual regarding "brownish water." To rectify the situation, public works has been opening individual household meters. They have also been flushing hydrants in areas where a number of residences in a common geographical location are experiencing the same problem, something officials usually do only once a year, in the springtime.

On the same topic, the recent cold snap has caused a lot of pipe breakages, said Crane. Officials have responded to the leaks by turning off the water and contacting the property owner. Crane suggests owners update their contact information with the town to expedite the process should any more leaks occur.

Board utility officials told Crane many outdoor showers have not been properly winterized; some even have exposed pipes. He attributed the “lulled complacency” to the recent mild winters, but urged people to use more caution.

Nancy Taggart-Davis, council president, said the council is working on establishing a weekly or biweekly newsletter to help better disseminate information to the public. Anyone with opinions or ideas for the format of the newsletter should contact her.

— Kelley Anne Essinger

This article was published in The SandPaper.

FEMA awards Ocean County a $1.5 million grant for Sandy damage

Congressman Jon Runyan (NJ-3rd) announced on Tuesday, Jan. 14 that the Federal Emergency Management Agency has awarded Ocean County a grant for $1,518,808.26.

Photo via The Telegraph
A home in Pt. Pleasant beach is filled with
sand during Superstorm Sandy.

“With Hurricane Sandy nearly 15 months behind us, we are reminded that although significant progress has been made, we still have a lot more work to do in Ocean County,” Runyan said in a press release. “I applaud FEMA for awarding this grant so that the people of Ocean County can continue the rebuilding and recovery process,” he added.

The federal grant will be used for emergency protective measures to implement evacuations as well as search and rescue operations, and to secure temporary facilities that were damaged during Superstorm Sandy. 

— Kelley Anne Essinger

This article was published in The SandPaper.

U.S. Coast Guard rescues three duck hunters near Beach Haven

The U.S. Coast Guard rescued three people who were stranded on Shelter Island near Beach Haven after their 18-foot pleasure craft became grounded during a duck-hunting trip during the extreme cold of Tuesday, Jan. 7. The call was received around 8:30 p.m.

One of the rescued men used a cell phone to report the three were stranded on the bay island after their boat grounded during low tide. An MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City located the men and lifted them to safety.

Photo via Wikipedia
The U.S. Coast Guard rescues three people
stranded on Shelter Island near Beach Haven.

As a precautionary measure, members of the Beach Haven Volunteer Fire Co. were dispatched by Beach Haven police to set up a landing zone at Walsh Field in Beach Haven for the Coast Guard and New Jersey State Police to land helicopters. Instead, the hunters were transported to the air station in Atlantic City, where their care was transferred to awaiting emergency medical services personnel.

Despite wearing cold-weather gear for hunting in freezing temperatures, the men said they were very cold. Yet no immediate medical concerns were reported.

“They were about 15 miles away, and we were there in seven minutes,” said Capt. Jeff Powell, a Royal Canadian Air Force pilot assigned to Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City. “They were dressed well and had means of signaling. When they heard the helicopter, they used a flame to get our attention, which directed us to their exact location. Having any means to signal, whether a flashlight, flare or even a cell phone screen light, can greatly help a rescue crew at night,” he added.

There are many safety precautions boaters can take to prepare for potential emergencies. Nick Ameen, petty officer at the Coast Guard Public Affairs Detachment Atlantic City, suggests always wearing a life jacket while boating; children under 13 years old must wear a life jacket at all times. Boaters can also invest in an emergency position-indicating radio beacon, which sends a satellite signal to rescuers during an emergency situation and taking the “search” out of search and rescue, Ameen explained. A VHF-FM radio can also be more reliable for contacting rescuers than a cell phone, which might lose signal or battery power.

Ameen also suggests filing a float plan by informing a loved one of where boaters are leaving, where they’re going and when they plan to return. Equip the boat with distress tools such as signaling mirrors, which are valuable for daytime distress situations; and sound-producing devices such as air horns or whistles, which are essential in cases of thick fog or low visibility, he added. Attending a boating safety class and becoming more knowledgeable about boating is also essential. For more information, visit uscgboating.org.

— Kelley Anne Essinger


This article was published in The SandPaper.

Stockton College offers free technology workshop on MLK Jr. Day

The Manahawkin Instructional Site of the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, located at 712 East Bay Ave., will offer a free, interactive technology session during the school’s 10th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service on Monday, Jan. 20 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The program is open to the public, but scheduled appointments are encouraged.

Photo via Eminent
In honor of MLK Jr. Day, Stockton College
offers a free, interactive technology workshop.

Stockton volunteers Mark Pezzotta and Matt Kappe will help anyone in need of assistance with modern electronic devices, including basic operation of popular tablet devices and laptops, email setup and Internet security. It is requested that electronic devices are no more than three years old.

The one-on-one appointments will last no longer than 20 minutes. To schedule one, contact Pezzotta at mark.pezzotta@stockton.edu or call 609-626-3883. Participants should be able to provide the name of the type of electronic device(s) they are using, as well as any additional information that will help the volunteers better prepare for the appointment.

Other community events will be offered throughout the day from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., including emergency preparedness, basic first aid and card making workshops. Volunteers can also join in recording Superstorm Sandy stories, as well as data entry for the Lighthouse International Film Festival. Refreshments will be provided throughout the day. To register, visit stockton.edu/servicelearning or call 609-626-3883.

— Kelley Anne Essinger


This article was published in The SandPaper.

SRHS cheerleaders host local competition, raise funds for national championship

The Southern Regional High School cheerleaders will sponsor their annual Rams Invitational Cheerleading Competition on Sunday, Jan. 19, at SRHS in the 11/12 gymnasium, located at 90 Cedar Bridge Rd. in Manahawkin. Doors open at 8:30 a.m. The event will begin at 10:00 a.m.

Photo via Press of AC
SRHS cheerleaders perform during a pep rally
at Pinelands Regional High School.

Competitors will include local rec teams from kindergarten through eighth grade and middle school, junior varsity and varsity squads from across New Jersey. Ocean County teams will include Southern Regional, Barnegat, Pinelands Regional, Lacey and Manchester high schools. Each cheer/dance is limited to three minutes.

“It’s such a great time,” said Jacqueline South, head coach of SRHS cheerleading. “You get to see all these amazing teams compete locally. It’s a lot of fun.”

The event will help raise money for the SRHS junior varsity and varsity teams’ trip to the National High School Cheerleading Championship at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla., in February. The junior varsity team earned its first ever bid to nationals after placing first at the Universal Cheerleading Association’s Northeast Regional Championship at the Pine Belt Arena in Toms River in November. The varsity team earned its 12th bid to nationals.

Admission to the invitational competition is $8 for adults and $4 for children younger than 12. Admission is free for kids younger than 5. The cafeteria will be open for breakfast and lunch. For more information, contact South at jsouth@srsd.net or call 609-597-9481, extension 2114. 

— Kelley Anne Essinger


This article was published in The SandPaper.