Bike auction in Beach Haven July 10

Photo via Beach Haven Borough
The bicycles are sold to the highest bidders.

Residents and summer visitors who need a more efficient mode of transportation than walking or driving around Long Beach Island will have a chance to score a new ride during Beach Haven borough’s annual bike auction. The public event, which auctions off bicycles that were abandoned or picked up during the course of last year, will be held at the borough’s Emergency Operations Center, located at 420 Pelham Ave., on Thursday, July 10, at 11 a.m. This year’s auctioneer is Councilman Edward Kohlmeir.

Twenty bicycles, including children’s and adults’ bikes as well as former police bicycles, will be on sale.

“It’s very reasonable bidding,” said Sherry Mason, borough clerk.

The bikes have been locked up and kept in storage at the EOC for the past year.

— Kelley Anne Essinger


This article was published in The SandPaper.

County freeholder advises parents to review Megan's Law database

The end of the school year is a suggested time to check the Megan’s Law website for the latest information on registered sex offenders. The database lists current information on all convicted sex offenders who are residents of the Garden State.

Photo via Google
The database lists current information on all
convicted sex offenders in New Jersey.

“Children are home and will be spending more time outdoors enjoying the summer weather,” Ocean County Freeholder Director Joseph H. Vicari said in a press release. “For peace of mind, this is an ideal time to review the state’s sex offender list for any individuals that may be living in your community.”

Towns, counties, ZIP codes and even individual streets can be easily reviewed. More advanced searches allow users to input the names of convicted sex offenders or check only newer records.

“This only takes a few minutes and can make a big difference in keeping a child safe,” Vicari said.

According to the website, there are 264 registered sex offenders in Ocean County.

The registry is not a complete and comprehensive listing of every person who has ever committed any sex offense in New Jersey, nor does it make information about every sex offender living in New Jersey available on the Internet. In accordance with New Jersey law, individuals who have been convicted, adjudicated delinquent or found not guilty by reason of insanity for a sex offense must register under New Jersey’s Megan’s Law, the website states.

Vicari suggests individuals periodically check the Megan’s Law database throughout the year.

“It’s important to know what dangers a child may encounter when they travel to and from school,” he said. “It’s also essential that they learn to avoid strangers and how to react if they are approached by an adult they do not know.”

If a child is approached by a stranger in a car, they should be taught to run the opposite way, toward the rear of the car. This way, the driver will have to turn around before they can pursue the child, Vicari said.

The Megan’s Law database can be accessed through a link on the Ocean County Government Homepage at co.ocean.nj.us. The page can also be accessed directly at njsp.org/info/reg_sexoffend.html.

— Kelley Anne Essinger


This article was published in The SandPaper.

New Beach Haven Beach Patrol Headquarters building ready for summer

Nearly two years after Superstorm Sandy devastated the Beach Haven Beach Patrol headquarters building on Centre Street, members of the beach patrol and town council gathered around the newly built structure for a ceremonial ribbon cutting, held early morning, Friday, June 27 . The two-story, oceanfront facility, which replaced the former one-story building built in 1989, now offers the beach patrol and the public a better, more convenient beach experience.

“I think it shows Beach Haven’s commitment to not only our lifeguards who act as our first responders watching our children on the beach, but it’s also a commitment to the people who vacation here in Beach Haven,” said Mayor Robert Keeler.

Photo by Ryan Morrill
The new two-story building permits lifeguards to survey
nearly 90 percent of the town. It also appeals to the
public with expanded restrooms, shower access and more.

Construction of the new building began in March, with Midwest Construction and Paint of Southampton Township leading the project. The company offered the lowest bid at $428,757. The total cost of the building was about $440,000, including additional changes. The highest bid from other companies was approximately $780,000.

“It’s a beautiful attraction for everybody walking in. It’s really a centerpiece of the town,” said three-year Beach Haven Beach Patrol Chief Mike Lawrence. “It’s a beautiful building to look at, especially down by the water and at the street entrance. And it’s the only building like it on the Island, which makes it unique and very special.”

The building’s new lifeguard safety garage keeps lifesaving equipment within easy reach on the ground floor. Previously, lifeguards had to haul their equipment back and forth from a supply yard on Amber Street.

The beach patrol includes 35 lifeguards. This year’s staff also includes 45 badge checkers, an increase from around 18 last year. The additional staff means badge checkers will be stationed at most beach entrances within the town.

The building’s upstairs meeting room and top deck now also permits members of the beach patrol to better safeguard the area.

“It allows us to survey 90 percent of the town so we can have constant supervision of the beaches and the guards,” said Lawrence. This is his 16th year as a lifeguard in Beach Haven and his 26th year as a guard in the local area. “We can see all the way from 12th Street down to Iroquois Avenue, all the way to the Holyoke jetty,” he emphasized.

The handicap-accessible facility offers public access to expanded male and female restrooms as well as outside showers on the bottom deck, for rinsing off.

“It makes it a lot more convenient for the people that go to the beach. That just adds to their overall enjoyment of the day,” said Lawrence.

Keeler said he hopes other local municipalities will see the restroom facilities are beneficial to both the town and its visitors.

“A lot of people shy away from having bathrooms, and I think if they took a look at this they would see that it’s aesthetically pleasing,” he said. “It fits in with the historical mode of this part of town.”

The building features red cedar siding and a historical yet modern design. Bicycle racks have been placed on the street-entrance, behind the building, and benches will be added to the ground-floor deck, overlooking the ocean.

An office for beach badge sales is also located on the bottom level. Hours are Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Keeler said town officials are continuing to work hard to make the town better than it was before Sandy.

“When you look at the building, it shows that almost two years after the storm we are coming back. Our facilities are bigger, and they are better,” he said. “That’s what we’re seeing all through Beach Haven. Whether it’s our businesses or homeowners, everybody has been responding so wonderfully over the last two years, and I think it’s a real tribute to the spirit of the people here in Beach Haven.”

Like many Long Beach Island-goers, the mayor while growing up spent many summers enjoying the Queen City with family. He said he wants to keep that tradition alive.

“Some people save all year to spend a week or two staying in Beach Haven. That’s why our beaches are cleaned every day. We try to have nice facilities so that they can enjoy their time down here,” said Keeler. “It’s a privilege that we have, that for 100 days we host people down here that are making memories with their families. I hope that the people that vacation here now spend more time here as they get older and have those kind of memories and bring their kids back. That’s what keeps us going. We can’t lose sight of that.”

— Kelley Anne Essinger


This article was published in The SandPaper.

In the midst of kitten season, cat fostering serves as 'gift of life'

Mary and Rick Ensminger are dedicated cat people. Sitting in a room devoted solely to housing and caring for foster cats, the couple from the Beach Haven Gardens section of Long Beach Township interact with each of the seven fosters they recently brought home. The pair, who have been volunteering as cat fosters with the Friends of the Southern Ocean County Animal Shelter since 2005, have been watching six 10-week-old kittens and their mother since April. Kittens Duke and Earl and their mother, Victoria, are orange tigers. Prince is an orange tabby, and Duchess, Lady and Princess are black-and-orange tortoiseshells.

The Ensmingers, who are also board members of FOSOCAS, have fostered more than 80 cats and kittens over the past nine years. They decided to dedicate time to the effort after Rick retired and started volunteering as a cat socializer at the Southern Ocean County Animal Shelter in Manahawkin. Rick grew up around cats, and even though Mary always had dogs, the couple has owned cats together since they were married in 1967.

Photo by Jack Reynolds
The foster kittens and their mother have
a room all to themselves, where they
can sleep and play at will.

The litter they are fostering now was brought to the Manahawkin shelter during the beginning of kitten season, the time of year when cats give birth, inundating animal shelters and rescue groups with homeless litters.

“The shelter is on total overload. The poor volunteers that work out there, they said it’s so depressing,” said Dor­­­othy Reynolds, president of the Friends of the Southern Ocean County Animal Shelter, a nonprofit organization that extends its help beyond assisting Manahawkin’s county-run shelter to care for the health and welfare of its animals.

The local animal shelter and rescue groups take in as many kittens as they can accommodate. However, they do not have unlimited space; they have room only if individuals adopt the pets that are already there, Reynolds emphasized.

“Millions of dogs and cats are euthanized every year (in the United States) because there are more homeless animals than there are homes for them,” said Reynolds. “Always adopt from a shelter or rescue. Remember, every time you buy a pet instead of adopting, it means a homeless pet will become a statistic,” she urged.

Many kittens grow up to be feral cats — homeless strays that are abandoned by irresponsible owners, lost, or born outdoors due to the many cats roaming the streets that are not spayed or neutered. If they survive, they will continue to struggle to find food and shelter. Nearly 100 percent of feral cats brought into the shelter are euthanized because they are more like wild animals than adoptable pets, said Reynolds.

Approximately 700 cats from the Manahawkin animal shelter were euthanized in 2013, said Reynolds. That number was down considerably from 2012, she added.

Photo by Jack Reynolds
Fosters 'truly give the gift of life.'

The shelter “has no choice. The only way it could be no-kill is if enough people come in and adopt the animals so that the runs and the crates are emptied,” said Reynolds. “So we desperately need people to foster, and we desperately need people to adopt.”

The decrease is in large part due to the success of FOSOCAS’ Trap-Neuter-Release program, which started in March 2012 to spay or neuter feral cats in the area. Any kittens found during the process are rescued and put into foster care.

“Thanks to the many fosters with the Friends who have or are caring for kittens in their homes, many, many kittens are living today in loving homes,” said Reynolds. “There are also many cats and dogs who need temporary foster care while they wait for their new home. Fosters truly give the gift of life.”

In 2013, 512 cats were adopted from the Manahawkin shelter, and 495 cats were adopted from the shelter in 2012, said Reynolds.

During the past few months, many kittens have been found living in boats. Newborn kittens that have lost their mother are in special need of help.

“If they’re left out in the wild and their mother has been hit by a car or something’s happened to her, they not only starve to death, but they can’t empty their bladders. So it’s really a sad ending for them,” said Reynolds. “It’s not that they’re just hungry, they’re actually in pain. These kittens just cannot survive if they don’t have their mother or if someone does not foster them. That’s really the bottom line.”

Photo by Jack Reynolds
All of the fosters are now healthy
and very playful and affectionate.

Anyone who is able to own a pet is eligible to become a foster through FOSOCAS or the Ocean County Health Department, which runs the Manahawkin animal shelter. Individuals interested in fostering must sign up as volunteers with FOSOCAS. The membership costs $10 a year.

Besides taking care of seven foster cats, the Ensmingers currently have seven cats of their own, four of which had or have special needs. The house cats live on the second and third floors of the home, while the fosters are kept in a separate room on the first floor. The space is complete with everything the fosters need, from crates, litter boxes, food and blankets to toys, scratching posts, cat perches and cleaning supplies. Originally a bedroom for the Ensmingers’ daughter, who is now married with kids, the room was converted into a room for cat fostering after 42 inches of water from Superstorm Sandy destroyed the entire first floor.

“Since our kids are both gone and married and have kids, we decided that because we want to continue fostering, we would just make this room available strictly for (the fosters),” said Mary.

The fosters are kept downstairs away from the other cats to help prevent the spread of any possible infections they might have previously contracted.

Although the pair will foster only cats that are disease- and flea-free, the fosters do sometimes get sick. Kittens that become ill have a better chance of survival if they are taken care of in a foster home, said Mary.

In April, the Ensmingers’ current foster kittens contracted a parasite, most likely from their mother, which caused them to suffer from digestive issues. As foster parents, Mary and Rick had to regularly clean the kittens as well as give them two different types of medication for three to 10 days, depending on the prescriptions.

“That’s the hardest part, when they get sick and you have to keep cleaning up after them,” said Mary. “But that’s not always the case. If you’re watching and catch it early, it doesn’t last long. Kittens are kittens. They’re like having a baby or a little toddler that you have to watch to make sure it doesn’t get in trouble.”

“As any cat owner will know, or any parent, there are those times where it’s a little bit difficult,” agreed Rick.

Thankfully, the mother cat trains the kittens to use the litter box, he said.

All of the fosters are now healthy and very playful and affectionate. Mary and Rick check on the kittens and their mother three or four times a day to feed them, clean them, clip their nails, clean their litter and, of course, play with them.

“It’s time-consuming because if you’re going to do it right, you’ve got to play with them, you’ve got to spend time with them, you’ve got to handle them,” said Mary.

A main objective of fostering is to socialize the animals so that they are comfortable around people and therefore adoptable. Mary recommends foster parents invest in some kind of home veterinary care book, even Kittens for Dummies, for guidance. Most foster parents are willing to help others who are interested in fostering, and the Manahawkin shelter also holds orientation classes for kitten care. If fostering is not an option, the shelter is always in need of volunteers to help socialize the cats there.

“It’s a really great feeling to know that you’re helping these cats get homes because by fostering them, you’re socializing them,” said Rick. “You’re making them not afraid of people so that they’ll be adopted. I think that’s the main thing. It sounds corny, but it’s true.

“When one of them jumps up on your lap and starts licking your finger or acting real affectionate, it’s like cat seduction,” he added. “There’s almost nothing you can do about it. It’s like, ‘I want that cat.’ We always say it’s more often the cats pick out the people than vice versa.”

Although fostering creates an additional responsibility, the positives outweigh the negatives by far, assured the couple.

“This is a big hit for our granddaughters when they come to see us. And the thing is, it’s really not that much work,” said Rick. “I’ve had kids, and I’ve had grandchildren, and trust me, a whole bunch of cats is a lot easier than two kids or two grandchildren. You come down here, you sit in the chair, you have all these kittens with you. It’s just fantastic; I love it.”

Aside from the daily routine, the couple also take the fosters to the veterinarian every two to three weeks for vaccinations and to check on their overall well-being.

“You could say it’s a hobby, but it’s more than a hobby because you’re saving the cats’ lives,” said Rick. “The money we spend on this, somebody else might be spending on flying a model airplane.

“The cat’s healthy. That’s all that really matters. So I figure it’s like karma. Maybe I won’t come back as a cockroach,” he joked. “If you can afford it, and you can help the cat, why not?”

Like the Ensmingers, many fosters pay for the necessary supplies and veterinary expenses out of pocket. However, FOSOCAS and the Ocean County Health Department, which sponsor the foster program, will provide fosters with all of the required equipment and pay for all medical costs.

“Everyone can’t do it out of pocket, so we will help people who can’t,” said Reynolds. “We wouldn’t want them not to foster because they couldn’t afford the needs of the kittens or the cat.”

When the litter arrived at the Ensmingers’ home, the kittens mostly lived in the crate with their mother, who was let out to roam around the room when she was not nursing. Now that the kittens are big enough to climb and wander around by themselves, the crate is left open.

“We’ve got it pretty much kitten-proof, so I don’t mind leaving them out overnight because there’s really nothing in here that’s going to injure them. There’s just no way that they can be hurt,” said Rick.

When the kittens weigh between 2 to 3 pounds, they will be taken to the shelter to be spayed or neutered. They will also receive a microchip implant, which animal shelters, animal control officers and veterinarians routinely look for to help return lost pets to their owners. After surgery, the cats will then be transferred to the animal shelter or to Petsmart in Manahawkin, where they are put up for adoption.

“It’s so gratifying when somebody adopts them and you see their excitement and the affection they have for the animal,” said Mary.

“You can’t change the world, but you can save some cats,” added Rick.

— Kelley Anne Essinger


This article was published in The SandPaper.

Taste of the Island Porch Party at Long Beach Island Museum July 13

Local residents and visitors interested in sampling delicious appetizers from a variety of the area’s best restaurants are invited to attend the Long Beach Island Historical Association’s Taste of the Island Porch Party Sunday, July 13. The annual fundraiser, which helps the organization maintain the Long Beach Island Museum as well as the Fisherman’s Cottage, will take place at the museum, located at Engleside and Beach avenues in Beach Haven, from 6 to 8 p.m.

Participants will get to choose from a wide array of food samplings from local restaurants.

Photo via Google
The event will be held at the Long Beach
Island Museum in Beach Haven.

“It can be everything from bruschetta to hummus to mini crab cakes or chicken wings. We get a variety,” said Brenda Griffin, co-coordinator of the event and a museum volunteer.

Participating restaurants include Barry’s Do Me a Flavor, Beach Haven Catering/Blue Water Café, The Beach House Restaurant, Bisque Continental Cuisine, Bistro 14, Black Whale Bar and Fish House, Buckalew’s Restaurant and Tavern, Calabria Ristorante, Carmen’s Unique Beach Cuisine, The Chicken or the Egg, Engleside Restaurant and Sushi Bar, Foodies Catering, Foster’s Market, The Gables, The Gazebo Restaurant, Greenhouse Café, Harvey Cedars Shellfish Co., Howard’s Seafood Restaurant, Joey’s Pizza and Pasta, Kubel’s Too, Little Bite of Italy, The Maine Course, Murphy’s Marketplace, Panzone’s Pizza and Pasta, Pearl Street Market, Ravioli and More, Roberto’s Dolce Vita, Sea Shell Restaurant and Uncle Will’s Pancake House and Grill.

Beer and wine will also be provided.

“It’s a wonderful deal because you get 25 to 30 restaurants’ worth of samplings of appetizers,” said Griffin. “You’re getting a very wide array of interesting food and wine or beer for only $25. Normally if you go to a restaurant you’ll be lucky if you get two appetizers and one glass of wine for $20. It’s a deal, and it’s fun. It supports the museum, and the setting is beautiful,” she added.

Tickets to the event cost $25 and will be sold at the door.

New this year, participants will also get a chance to vote for the “Best Bite of the Night.”

“Everyone will get a ticket when they come in, kind of like Chowderfest, and they can drop in their vote for the best bite in that restaurant’s labeled bucket,” Griffin explained.

Live music will be performed by local keyboardist Joe Jenci, who is also a museum volunteer.

For more information, contact the Long Beach Island Historical Museum at 609-492-0700.

— Kelley Anne Essinger


This article was published in The SandPaper.

Beach Haven Emergency Operations Center’s West Avenue parking lot closed to vehicular traffic for remainder of summer

The process to resheathe the dilapidated bulkhead in front of Beach Haven’s Emergency Operations Center began Monday, July 7, closing off the West Avenue parking lot entrance to vehicular traffic for the duration of the summer. The entrance is still open to pedestrians, but cars should be parked on the street.

Another entrance has been prepared off Pelham Avenue, around the back of the building, where vehicles may also be parked.

The $303,492 project led by KG Marine Contracting of Manahawkin is expected to take no more than two months to complete, said Richard Crane, borough manager.

Photo via Google
Repairs are being made to the bulkhead in front of
the former Coast Guard station in Beach Haven.

“We realize it might be a little bit of an inconvenience for the public that wants to come see us. However, due to health and safety concerns, we think it’s a priority to get it done,” he said.

The soil underneath the bulkhead is “literally going out into the bay. There are literally holes in the bulkhead. It’s undermining the entire area there,” Crane explained. “Quite honestly it’s only been over the last six to eight months where the asphalt out front has just gotten horrendous. Personally I don’t even park my car out there anymore,” he added.

The General Services Administration, which oversees surplus properties for the federal government, which the former Coast Guard station was, had noted the bulkhead was in need of repair when officials inspected the building three years ago. Superstorm Sandy created further damage.

Due to GSA regulations, the bulkhead must be repaired in order for the borough to occupy the site. Town officials would like to have the protective repairs finished by September, when the GSA is required to again inspect the location.

“We don’t know how much damage has been done to (the bulkhead) over the years. The asphalt in front of it has become undermined; we’re not really sure how far back that goes,” said Crane.

Although parking will be limited throughout the length of the project, the borough manager said it would most likely pose a problem only on court days. Court days during the summertime are held twice a month. This summer, municipal court will be held on Mondays: July 7 and 21; Aug. 4 and 18; and Sept. 8 and 15.

“We do get quite a volume of people during our summer court. Those are our most active months because that’s when most people are here,” Crane said. “There’s a great deal of traffic violations, court violations, those sort of things, that come to court. The deeper we get into the summer is where more and more things get generated by our police department.”

The municipal court was brought to the emergency operations center in January, after having been relocated to Harvey Cedars for about a year. The entire operations of borough hall had to be relocated after the building was severely damaged by Sandy.

“Our full intent always was to bring (the court) back down here,” said Crane. “We had to do certain things in addition to the courtroom itself and also to the court administrator’s office. She has a bulletproof door. There’s all kind of things that the state offices of the courts require,” he explained.

Plans to reconstruct the borough hall, located at Bay and Engleside avenues, are still “up in the air. We got good news, but the good news actually kind of puts some plans on hold,” said Crane.

Although the borough did not make the first cut for the Stronger NJ Neighborhood and Community Revitalization Program grant, which local officials applied for in the springtime to help rebuild the municipal building, Crane said the town was notified that it is currently number one on the list. Even though priority was given to towns and organizations that service low- to moderate-income populations, a total of $25 million from the original $50 million grant is still available.

“We’re very hopeful that we can get that grant funding to either partially fund or completely fund a new borough hall. So obviously we’re going to hold off on doing any kind of repairs if we think we might get something much better and not have to use Beach Haven property owners’ taxpayers’ money,” said Crane. “I’m not going to jump up and down and say, ‘We’re going to get it,’ but we’re certainly still in the running, and that we scored so high in points leaves me at least a little optimistic.”

Beach Haven officials have applied for $3.5 million in grant funding. If awarded, the money would be used to demolish the existing building and construct a brand-new facility.

“Unfortunately, municipal projects by their very nature are very expensive,” said Crane.

— Kelley Anne Essinger

This article was published in The SandPaper.

Stockton instructor to share his soldier experience through poetry at school's Manahawkin site

Photo via RSC
The lecture will be held at Stockton's Manahawkin
Instructional Site, located in Stafford Township.

Richard M. O’Meara, a retired brigadier general in the U.S. Army and trial attorney who teaches Holocaust and genocide studies at the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, will share stories of war and peace at Stockton’s Manahawkin Instructional Site Wednesday, July 9. The one-hour lecture, titled “Steppin’ Out Tales From the Trail,” will begin at 2 p.m.

O’Meara, who retired from the Army Reserves in 2002 after 36 years of service, has experienced war and peace in multiple locations, including Vietnam, Panama and Iraq. As a qualified emergency medical technician, he also served at the site of the World Trade Center during the months after 9/11. His book of poetry, Steppin’ Out, chronicles much of his journey.

Stockton’s Manahawkin site is at 712 E. Bay Ave. For more information about the event, visit stockton.edu/manahawkin or call 609-626-3883.

–Kelley Anne Essinger

This article was published in The SandPaper.

In view of Fourth of July holiday, Ocean County officials warn of fireworks dangers

The rumble of fireworks on the Fourth of July is a custom that dates back to the founding of our nation. To safely enjoy the blast and kaleidoscope of colors, Ocean County officials are urging people to leave the fireworks to the professionals and enjoy one or more of the many public displays planned for the long holiday weekend.

“It is illegal to purchase, possess and use fireworks in New Jersey unless you are a licensed professional staging a show,” Freeholder Director Joseph H. Vicari said in a press release.

According to federal statistics, fireworks injure nearly 10,000 people every year throughout the United States. The vast majority of those injuries occur during the two weeks leading up to and following July 4th, the release stated.

Photo by Jack Reynolds
Although exciting, fireworks pose serious risks.

“If you attempt to use these illegal devices, you are going to get hurt,” Vicari warned.

He said he is especially concerned because many types of fireworks that are for sale in some other states but are illegal in New Jersey are marketed toward children.

“The explosive power of these devices is astounding,” said Vicari. “Under those enticing wrappings are dangerous and volatile explosives and projectiles capable of maiming and killing. Even a sparkler burns at nearly 1,000 degrees.”

Possession of fireworks is a disorderly persons offense, but possession with the intent to sell is a fourth-degree offense, with a possible maximum penalty of 18 months imprisonment and fines up to $10,000.

“Do not travel out of state and buy fireworks,” said Freeholder John P. Kelly, director of law and public safety. “It may be legal to buy them, but it is illegal to bring them back across state lines and use them in New Jersey.”

He said local police departments will be on the lookout for illegal fireworks leading up to Independence Day.

Fireworks are a danger to users and those who may be in close proximity.

“When you light that fuse, you never know what is going to happen,” Kelly said. “A rocket can fly out of control and strike a child or land on a roof and start a fire.” 

Most fireworks are made in China, and many times the fuses are unreliable, he added.

Fireworks-related injuries can range from severe burns to disfigurement.

“We’ve seen reports across the country of people who have blown off their fingers or suffered disfiguring injuries because the seemingly harmless firecracker they were holding suddenly exploded in their hand or near their face,” said Freeholder Gerry P. Little, liaison to the Ocean County Health Department.

Vicari, liaison to tourism, said there will be numerous opportunities to safely enjoy fireworks on Independence Day. A listing of professional fireworks displays is posted on the county’s newly updated tourism website at oceancountytourism.com.

When attending a display, Vicari suggests leaving pets at home because many dogs and other animals are scared of the loud noises made by fireworks.

He said the Humane Society of the United States has released guidelines on how to protect animals during the holiday weekend. The guidelines warn against leaving a pet in the car. With only hot air to breathe inside the automobile, a pet can experience serious health effects or even death in a few minutes. Partially opened windows do not provide sufficient air, but they do offer a chance for pets to be stolen.

Pets should be kept inside, at home, in a sheltered, quiet area. Some animals can become destructive when frightened, so be sure to remove any items that the pet could destroy or that would be harmful if chewed. Leave a television or radio playing at normal volume for company.

If a pet is seriously distressed by loud noises such as thunder, pet owners should seek advice from a veterinarian before July 4th for ways to help lessen the fear and anxiety the pet might undergo during fireworks displays.

Never leave pets unattended outside, even in a fenced yard or on a chain. Out of fear, pets that normally would not leave the yard may escape and become lost, or become entangled in their chain, risking injury or death.

Also, make sure pets are wearing identification tags so that they can be promptly returned if they do become lost. Animals found running loose should be taken to the local animal shelter, where they will have the best chance of being reunited with their owners.

“By following these simple rules, we make sure the holiday weekend is enjoyable for both our families and our pets,” Vicari said.

— Kelley Anne Essinger


This article was published in The SandPaper.

Summer concert series at Manahawkin Lake Park begins July 7

This year’s summer concert series at the Manahawkin Lake Park, hosted by the Stafford Township Historical Society, will offer something everyone can enjoy. The musical entertainment will be held in front of the pavilion on Manahawkin Lake. All concerts will take place on Mondays in July and August from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. A $5 donation is suggested.

Photo via Stafford History
Landsend performs in front of Manahawkin
Lake during the 2012 concert series.

“We enjoy setting up these concerts because it gives us a chance to meet the public and tell them about the local history and perform demonstrations of historical happenings before the concerts start. Also, you are almost always treated to a spectacular sunset over Manahawkin Lake,” said Steven Brescia, chairman of the summer concert committee.

The Brass Tacks, a 17-piece orchestra that plays big swing and dance music, will kick off the concert series on July 7. Country and bluegrass music by Bad Dogz will follow on July 14. Barbershop-harmony music by Boardwalk Chorus, featuring the Baytones and Sound Magic quartets, will take place on July 21. Valerie Vaughn and the Earth Tones will perform folk and country tunes of New Jersey folklore and history on July 28. Gene Galanti and Katie Fallon will sing songs of the Rat Pack-era as well as Broadway tunes on Aug. 4. Talented singer/songwriter Nancy Chamberlain and her family will combine an alternative-pop edge with smooth jazz on Aug. 11. Warm Hearted Country will take the stage on Aug. 18, and Fred Guarino and Friends will provide decades of popular music on Aug. 25.

Concert-goers can bring a lawn chair or blanket to the event. Bleacher seating is also available. Bug spray is recommended.

Parking is available at the park entrance on North Lakeshore Drive, next to the Old Baptist Church.

For more information, visit staffordhistory.org.

— Kelley Anne Essinger

This article was published in The Forked River Gazette.

County encourages summer visitors to handle recyclables properly

Ocean County, home to 44 miles of picturesque, oceanfront beaches and other recreational shoreline, including Barnegat Bay, is kept pristine through the hard work and dedication of its municipalities that tend to its maintenance. Residents as well as visitors in the summer months also play a key role in caring for the coastline. Making sure recyclables are properly handled is especially important.

“While it may not sound like it goes hand in hand, recycling while on vacation is an activity we want our visitors to embrace,” Ocean County Freeholder James F. Lacey, liaison to the county’s recycling program, said in a press release. “We want to remind residents and visitors alike that recycling in Ocean County is just as important while you are here on vacation as it is in your own hometown.”

Photo by Ryan Morrill
County officials urge residents to keep plastic
bags out of curbside recycling containers.

More than 23,000 tons of materials were recycled in Ocean County during the summer of 2013, saving towns more than $1.6 million.

“Recycling comes with many benefits,” said Freeholder Director Joseph H. Vicari. “It saves landfill space, it protects the environment, and it helps out economically.”

Visitors are encouraged to check with their municipalities for summer recycling regulations, including what days recyclables are collected. Many municipalities also have recycling centers to drop off materials.

The county’s towns have implemented single-stream recycling, which means all cans, bottles, newspapers and junk mail may be placed at the curbside in one container. Recyclables must not be placed in plastic bags.

When using beaches and marinas, visitors and residents should look for the big, green igloos throughout the area.

“When you are leaving an area, we encourage you to deposit your recyclables in the igloo. It is much more convenient than taking them home with you or back to where you may be staying,” Lacey said. “The goal of our recycling program in Ocean County is to make it easy and convenient so people want to recycle.”

Recycling drop-off venues are also easily accessible at the county’s regional recycling centers. Residents and visitors can drop off recyclables at the Southern Ocean County Recycling Center off Haywood Road in Stafford Township as well as at the Northern Ocean County Recycling Center off New Hampshire Avenue in Lakewood. Resident recycling areas are open around the clock; the regional centers are open Monday through Saturday, 7:30 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Since the county began operating its materials processing facility in Lakewood in 1991, more than 1,324,140 tons of material has been processed, resulting in a savings of $95,549,942 by avoiding the tipping fees at the landfill. Revenue generated from sale of the material is distributed back to the municipalities. In 2013, municipalities split $739,220 from the revenue sharing program.

Now, visitors can also recycle cooking oil and cooking grease by depositing it in newly installed tanks at the regional centers. There is no fee to drop off the waste.

“Our recycling programs address many of the tasks we do every day,” Lacey said. “We have built the program so that it is convenient for everyone.”

The county’s free Household Hazardous Waste Collection program, held throughout the local area during summer, also helps assist people who need to dispose of items that cannot be tossed out in the regular trash. A collection date will be held at the Ship Bottom boat ramp, located at Shore Avenue and 10th Street, on Sept. 20 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call 609-978-0913 to register.

For more information on recycling in Ocean County, visit co.ocean.nj.us or call 1-800-55-RECYCLE.

— Kelley Anne Essinger


This article was published in The SandPaper.

Local students earn National Garden Club awards

The Garden Club of New Jersey has awarded the Watchung Essay Contest Award to Southern Regional High School students Nadia Kuti, a junior, and Joseph Levy, a senior, as first-place state winners in the National Garden Clubs’ 2013-14 High School Essay Contest. Both awards were announced at the state meeting of the Garden Club of New Jersey, held in Bridgewater in June. The awards were presented to Beverly Reitinger, president of the Garden Club of Long Beach Island, which sponsored the local students.

Photo via Garden Club of LBI
Tommy Deakyne accepts his first-place regional award
for the National Garden Club's annual Youth Poetry
Contest from Julie Oldham at the LBI Grade School.

The purpose of the contest is to promote environmental awareness. The theme for the competition was “Today’s Choices Affect Tomorrow’s World.” SRHS English teacher Kathy Carr encouraged the students to enter the contest.

“They’re excellent writers, and as a teacher I try to encourage writing for an audience other than just myself and their class, because they need that,” said Carr. “The Long Beach Island Garden Club gave them that opportunity to plant seeds of inspiration. It’s a thoughtful topic they gave them, and it nurtured their creativity and talent. … When they have that audience, they have something to say, and then it’s recognized, it’s the perfect ending. Every time I saw them, they had a smile on their faces. I’ll never forget when I was able to tell them that they won.”

Kuti and Levy will go on to compete at the regional level.

Five local students, also sponsored by the Garden Club of LBI, were announced as first-place winners for the National Garden Club’s annual Youth Poetry Contest. Alivia King and Alexander Conklin, fourth- and sixth-grade Beach Haven School students respectively, as well as Tommy Deakyne, a fifth-grade LBI Grade School student, took first place at the state level for the 2013-14 contest. The contest theme was “Protecting and Conserving Our Natural Resources.” All three of the students will go on to compete at the regional level.

Hannah Skimmons, now a Southern Regional Middle School student, and Paul Adanatzian, an LBI Grade School student, were announced as first-place winners at the regional level for the 2012-13 poetry contest. The theme was “Protecting Our Aquatic Friends.” The students competed against other children from seven other states that make up the Central Atlantic Region. They also competed at the national level.

The awards were presented to the students during awards day ceremonies at their schools.

“Three years ago, the garden club chose to sponsor this poetry contest because it offered an opportunity to let young poets know we valued their writing, and the contest offered another outlet for sharing and publication,” said Nancy Kunz, a member and chairwoman of the awards committee for the Garden Club of Long Beach Island. “The yearly themes also invited the students to consider their role in protecting our environment.”

— Kelley Anne Essinger

This article was published in The SandPaper.

Schedule set for Beach Haven summer 'Concerts on the Green'

Enjoy free concerts under the stars at Veterans Bicentennial Park, located on Beach Avenue between Engleside Avenue and Amber Street in Beach Haven, during the 39th annual Concerts on the Green. The music at the gazebo, presented by the Beach Haven Community Arts Program, will be held on Wednesdays throughout July and August, from 7:30 to 9 p.m.

Photo by Ryan Morrill

Classic-rock band Garage Kept kicks off the concert series on July 2.

“When the music starts, the kids all start dancing around like little pied pipers. Everybody just has such a good time,” said Brenda Griffin, vice president of Beach Haven CAP, a nonprofit organization dedicated to developing and presenting events and arts programs for the benefit of local residents and visitors. “We’re very careful to pick bands that play lively music that our audience is really going to get into. It’s just so much fun. It’s such a family-fun night, and it’s free.”

Bring a chair or spread out a blanket near the venue when local classic-rock band Garage Kept kicks off the concert series on July 2. The Carnaby Street Band will play ‘70s and ‘80s music on July 9, and the Fabulous Phila Mojo Kings Band will perform ‘40s and ‘50s swing tunes on July 16. Country music will be the focus when Tequila Rose plays July 23, and oldies music will take center stage when the Schools Out Band performs on July 30. Popular music by The Kootz will be performed on Aug. 6. Jimmy and the Parrots, a Jimmy Buffett cover band, will lead the concert on Aug. 13. Jersey Gold will play ’50s and ’60s tunes on Aug. 20, and The Hotsy Totsy Gals will perform a retro mix on Aug 27.

A special kids concert with interactive children’s tunes by Makin’ Music Rockin’ Rhythms will also take place on Monday, July 28.

“I always call it our little Normal Rockwell experience because it’s just so cute,” said Griffin. “We sell glow sticks, so you’ll see the kids as it gets darker running around with them. It’s just the cutest darn thing I’ve ever seen.”

In case of rain, the concerts will be held across the street from the park at the Long Beach Island Historical Museum.

This year’s summer concert series, funded in part by a grant from the Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders, is also sponsored by local businesses and organizations, including The Marlin, The Ketch, the Sea Shell Resort and Beach Club, Southern Ocean Medical Center, Beach Haven Taxpayers Association, Fantasy Island, Van Dyk Group, Little Beach Fund, Sunset Harbour Realty, Engleside Inn, Bay Village, Lavish Salon, The SandPaper, The Chicken or the Egg, LBI Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5 and Buckalew’s Tavern.

For more information, call Beach Haven CAP at 609-492-4218 or email beachhavencap1045@gmail.com.

— Kelley Anne Essinger


This article was published in The SandPaper.

American Red Cross launches Spanish-language apps for first aid and disaster preparedness

The American Red Cross has launched six free Spanish-language apps for disasters and home emergencies with easy, lifesaving information that will help keep families safe. They are the Red Cross First Aid, Hurricane, Tornado, Earthquake, Wildfire and Flood apps. The Red Cross First Aid app gives people direct access to expert advice for everyday emergencies. The five Red Cross disaster preparedness apps give people local, real-time information for severe weather or disaster threats and offer step-by-step instructions that let users know what to do before, during and after a hurricane, tornado, earthquake, wildfire and flood.

“The free Red Cross Spanish-language apps make mobile devices a lifeline for emergency information for families,” Nancy Orlando, regional chief executive officer of the American Red Cross South Jersey Region, said in a press release. “The Red Cross wants as many people as possible to benefit from the crucial emergency information available via mobile apps.”

Photo via Google
Six Red Cross apps are now available
in the Spanish-language.

The Red Cross created and released the Spanish-language apps at a time when smartphone use among Hispanics is surging. A 2013 study by the Pew Research Center found that Latinos own smartphones and go online from a mobile device at comparable and sometimes higher rates than other groups of Americans.

The Red Cross apps have a feature that allows users to easily toggle between English and Spanish language. Before, users needed to set their entire phone language to either English or Spanish.

With its experience in working with people during disasters, the Red Cross knows individuals behave differently when under stress such as a first aid emergency or weather disaster. In these times, people want to consume vital information in the language they are most comfortable with. The Spanish toggle makes the life-saving information in the apps easier to get in emergency situations.

All of the apps offer pre-loaded content ensuring first aid and disaster preparedness guidance is available anytime, anywhere, even if Internet connection is not accessible.

Another important feature in the disaster preparedness apps allows users to let family and friends quickly know that they are safe with a customizable “I’m Safe” alert for Facebook, Twitter, email and text. The apps also have interactive quizzes that allow people to earn badges that they can share with friends on social networks.

“With natural disasters, it’s vital that people can receive and share warnings, preparedness information and their own status immediately with their social networks, and that’s what these Red Cross apps do,” Orlando said. “If people can take only one step to make their family better prepared for disasters, they should download these free Red Cross apps and help their loved ones download them, too.”

The Spanish-language apps build on the Red Cross legacy of teaching life-saving skills to people across the country. Overall, the award-winning Red Cross apps have been downloaded more than 4.7 million times.

Each one of the Spanish-language apps is free and available for iPhones and Android devices in the Apple App and Google Play stores. They can also be found at redcross.org/spanishapps (English) or redcross.org/appsenespanol (Spanish).

While apps can prepare people for disasters, it is important to remember that downloading any of the Red Cross apps is not a substitute for training. To learn more about Red Cross First Aid and CPR/AED courses or to register, visit redcross.org/takeaclass.

— Kelley Anne Essinger

This article was published in The SandPaper.