Enjoy Free Music Concerts in Lakewood
Enjoy Free Music Concerts in Lakewood
Bring your lawn chairs, sit back, relax, and enjoy free Lakewood Township music concerts! All concerts are sponsored by Lakewood Township Recreation.
July 17 7:00 p.m. Strictly 60’s John Patrick Sports Complex, Vine Avenue
July 31 7:00 p.m. LZ JRZY John Patrick Sports Complex, Vine Avenue
August 7 7:00 p.m. A Night at the Cabaret John Patrick Sports Complex, Vine Avenue
Aug. 13 6:30 p.m. Big Band Boot Camp conducted by Wilbur Witteman, Pine Park
For updates, visit www.lakewoodnj.gov. For more information, contact Lakewood Township Recreation at 732-905-3405.
What the Dickens!!! Dickens’ Great-Great-Grandson to Perform a Christmas Carol at The Strand
The great-great-grandson of literary icon Charles Dickens will be performing his captivating rendition of A Christmas Carol, a heartwarming holiday tale, at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 15, 2019, at the Strand Theater, 400 Clifton Avenue, Lakewood, N.J.
During his energetic one-man show, Gerald Dickens, an actor and producer from Oxford, England, conjures A Christmas Carol with just a table, wing chair, and a hat rack accompanying him on stage. As he leaps, sobs, and laughs, 26 characters of the classic tale are brought vividly to life. Gerald has created different postures and voices for each character, achieving this so adeptly that the audience has no doubt about “who is who,” so to speak. Says Bob Byers, President of Byers’ Choice Ltd., “It’s a wonderful show–a great family tradition–the best way I know of to kick off the holiday season.”
Gerald Dickens bears more than a passing resemblance to his famous ancestor, who originally toured the U.S. in 1867, reading his literary works before spellbound audiences. The historians report that A Christmas Carol was his favorite piece to perform.
According to Gerald, his great-great-grandfather adored theater and initially wanted to be an actor but pursued writing as a career for practical purposes. For many years Gerald says that he himself “avoided anything to do with Dickens like the plague.” But in 1993 when a friend asked him to do a reading of A Christmas Carol on its 150th anniversary of publication to help raise money for a historical restoration project, he couldn’t turn him down. To his surprise, he enjoyed doing it and has been delighting audiences around the world with his rendition ever since.
Tickets are 22.00 each and are available at www.strand.org or at the Strand Box Office. Mr. Dickens will be available to sign a special selection of books and gifts during a public reception in The Strand Gallery immediately after the show.
All photographs, audio and video recordings are prohibited during Mr. Dickens’ performances; however, at the signing reception after each performance, photos are encouraged. Anyone unable to get performance tickets before they have sold out can still attend the book signings.
Mr. Dickens will be available for a limited number of press interviews. Contact Ray Coles @ 732.691.9989 or at raycoles@teknetinc.com to schedule a convenient time.
About Gerald Dickens 2019 U.S. Tour:
This fall Gerald Dickens returns to the U.S. for his 2019 tour that will take him to both coasts with many stops in between. He will transform businesses, churches, hotels, and museums into scenes straight out of the classic holiday tale, much as Scrooge was transformed from a dispirited miser to a joyous soul after his Christmas Eve encounter with ghosts from the past, present, and future. His performance is produced by Byers’ Choice Ltd., makers of the nationally-known Carolers® and Kindles® figurines, located in Chalfont, PA. For more information on Mr. Dickens’ 2019 tour calendar, visit www.byerschoice.com or phone 215-822-6700.
Strand Board to Honor First Responders – Show Your Appreciation!
Need help? They are usually the first on the scene to help! To show everyone’s appreciation, the board of The Strand Center for the Arts, Lakewood, is holding A Salute to Our First Responders on Wednesday, August 14, 2019, in The Strand Gallery, 400 Clifton Avenue, Lakewood, N.J., with dinner and an open bar from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m., and an awards ceremony following in the theater at 8:15 p.m. After the awards ceremony, guests are welcome to enjoy a cash bar in the Strand Gallery.
The honorees include the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department, the Lakewood Police Department, the Lakewood Volunteer Fire Department, The Lakewood Fire Department, the Lakewood Volunteer First Aid, The Lakewood First Aid EMS, the Lakewood Office of Emergency Management, Hatzolah, the Lakewood Civilian Safety Watch, Chaveirim, the Police Benevolent Association, and Bikur Cholim.
Tickets cost $100.00 each and include a Kosher buffet dinner catered by Pizza Plus, an open bar during dinner, and entertainment by Acoustic NRG. Journal ads ra0nge from $75 to $500. Sponsorships range from $1,000 to $5000 and feature marquee recognition for six months, full page journal ads, and appreciate event tickets.
R.S.V.P. to Heidi@strand.org. Mail checks payable to Strand Ventures, Inc. at The Strand Center for the Arts, 400 Clifton Avenue, Lakewood, NJ 08701 Attn: Heidi DeFabritus. Visit strand.org or call the box office at (732) 367-7789, Ext. 216. The box office is opened on Fridays 2:00 to 6:00 p.m.
About The Strand Theater The historic Strand Theater, a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit at 400 Clifton Ave., Lakewood, was designed by world-renowned theater architect Thomas Lamb in 1922 and is listed on the N.J. and National Register of Historic Places. The Strand offers year-round entertainment in plush, air-conditioned surroundings. It is a perfect venue to showcase comedians, musicals, dinner theater, stars from television and movies, and legendary musical entertainers. The reception gallery includes a catering facility for 80 people, a dance floor, and restrooms. It is ideal for theater-in-the-round, smaller events and receptions.
Designed by world-renowned theater architect Thomas Lamb, The Strand Center for the Arts, 400 Clifton Avenue, Lakewood, N.J., opened in 1922. Pearl Bailey, Dionne Warwick, Milton Berle, Ronnie Spector, Taylor Swift, George Carlin, and many, many more have entertained the public on its stage since its grand opening.
50th Anniversary of Monmouth Day Care Center Raises Money and Honors Its Past
Monmouth Day Care Center (MDCC) recently honored its 50-year legacy while raising critically needed funds for the future at its 50th Anniversary Jubilee Celebration at the Navesink Country Club, 50 Luffburrow Lane, Middletown, NJ 07748.
The honorees were Monmouth Park Charity Fund, who has included MDCC in its grant distribution since almost the beginning, and United Methodist Church of Red Bank, the first home for MDCC when it opened in 1969.
MDCC alumni ranging in ages five to those in their early 20’s greeted past presidents of MDCC, Assemblymen Houghtaling and Downey, Red Bank Councilman Hazim Yassin, and Fair Haven Mayor Ben Lucarelli, also a past president to MDCC, among other guests and supporters.
Through the generous donations of sponsors and attendees, the Jubilee raised funds for the day-to-day operation of the Center, including its scholarship program which greatly benefits families who cannot afford a quality early child care program.
Heidi Zaentz, executive director of MDCC, said, “Our 50th Anniversary event was an amazing evening. We had supporters fly in from across the country to celebrate this milestone with us and it was wonderful to reconnect with so many faces. I was listening to stories of the days when they were meeting in kitchens to discuss the opening of the center: Stories of volunteers going above and beyond for the children at the center; stories of our Handi-Care Program that we used to offer before special education programs were in place. It is truly amazing to hear how far we have come in 50 years and how much we have done for the community. It warms my heart to be a part of this amazing center and I look forward to seeing what more we can do for our families and our community.”
For more information about MDCC, call 732-741-4313. To make donations that benefit Monmouth Day Care Center programs, students, and families, visit www.monmouthdaycare.com or contact Amy Thomas at athomas@monmouthdaycare.com.
Photo Captions:
#1 Heidi Zaentz, Exec Dir MDCC, and Lanae Herman , MDCC Board President
#2 Members of the Junior League of Monmouth County
#3 Dodi Allocca, Francoise Lucarelli ,Thea Lucarelli (Founding Member and Past Pres.), Paula Jordan, Fair Haven Mayor and Past President Ben Lucarelli
#4 Two River Community Bank Supporters
#5 Suzanne Dice, founder of the Backpack Crew, and Pastor Jessica Naulty of United Methodist Church of Red Bank
Accepting Award
#6 MDCC Past Presidents: Heidi Zaentz, Executive Director, Dolores Feinswog, Lanae Herman, Marie Knapp, Thea Lucarelli, Sid Shelton, Linda Friedman, Ben Lucarelli, Debbie Iapicco, Elizabeth Goss, Teresa Jahns, Jennifer Anderson, Debbie Schluter, June Seligman
About Monmouth Day Care Center: Monmouth Day Care Center, a nonprofit licensed by the State of New Jersey, is open from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., has eight classrooms; two playgrounds; a multi-purpose room that also serves as an indoor gym; a library; and provides breakfast, lunch and snacks. Children from two months to five years old, infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, who come from families with diverse socioeconomic backgrounds can attend full- or part-time. Contracts for tuition are maintained with the Division of Family Development, including Work First New Jersey Program and New Jersey Cares for Kids.
Monmouth Day Care Center serves families with diverse socio-economic backgrounds from more than 25 local communities. MDDC offers scholarships and fees on a sliding scale for families who qualify. Families who do not qualify for government support but cannot afford the full cost of care receive tuition assistance based on a sliding scale fee due to substantial community fundraising efforts of the Board. Call 732-741-4313 with questions or for more information.
Preferred Home Health Care & Nursing Services Expands to Delaware
Preferred Home Health Care & Nursing Services (PHHC), Inc., with headquarters in Eatontown, N.J., recently celebrated the opening of a new branch in Claymont, Delaware, at 3531 Philadelphia Pike. Officials from the New Castle County Chamber Delaware of Commerce, the Economic Development Director for New Castle County, and representatives from Preferred were on hand to welcome staff and guests to PHHC’s first office in Delaware.
PHHC, which has locations throughout New Jersey, several in Pennsylvania, and now one in Delaware, provides a wide range of medical and non-medical home health care services from pediatric to geriatric care. PHHC, accredited by CHAP* (Community Health Accreditation Partner), works collaboratively with physicians, hospitals, nursing homes, and facilities to ensure a smooth transition to one’s home.
In-house services include skilled nursing care for infants, children, adults, and seniors; personal care services, including bathing, grooming, dressing, feeding, etc.; private duty nursing services; and at-home physical therapy, among others. All of the care can be provided in-house and is coordinated by registered nurses, with clinical supervision available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
For more information about Preferred Home Health Care & Nursing Services, visit PreferredCares.com. or contact Lisa Gallicchio, director of community relations, at 732-547-9886 or lisa@preferredcares.com.
*an accrediting organization for the home health care industry
About Preferred Home Health Care & Nursing Services, Inc.: Preferred Home Health Care & Nursing Services (PHHC), Inc., Eatontown, N.J., is accredited by CHAP (Community Health Accreditation Partner), an accrediting organization for the home health care industry. Preferred works collaboratively with physicians, hospitals, nursing homes, and facilities to ensure a smooth transition to one’s home.
PHHC has 15 locations. New Jersey locations include corporate headquarters in Eatontown; and branches in Elmwood Park; Galloway; Jersey City; Mt. Laurel; Neptune; North Brunswick; Robbinsville; South Orange; and Toms River. Pennsylvania locations include Allentown, Bala Cynwyd, Bensalem, and Pittsburgh. Delaware location: Claymont. Visit Preferred at PreferredCares.com for more information.
Photos by Creative Image Associates, LLC
#2: Delaware Branch Is Open!
#3: Marianne Murawski, Regional Director; Joel Markel, CEO of PHHC; Ann LaPatta, Corporate Director of Nursing; Alison Labrosciano, Client Services Manager
#4: Staff at the PHHC Delaware branch: Jonell Parker, Director of Nursing; Joel Markel, CEO of PHHC; Kerry Rice, HR Specialist; Alison Labrosciano, Client Services Manager
#5: Alison Labrosciano, Client Services Manager; Tamarra Morris, Economic Development Director for New Castle County, Delaware
#10: Jonathan Herman, COO of PHHC; Joel Markel, CEO of PHHC
Wine Tasting to Benefit the Lakewood Museum
The Lakewood Historical Society and the Lakewood Heritage Commission are inviting the public to Wine Tasting at the Lakewood Historical Museum, Pine Park, Sunday, July 14, 2019, from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Proceeds will benefit the Lakewood Historical Museum.
Tickets cost $25 and include wine provided by The Vineyard of Lakewood, 104 Hillside Boulevard, Westgate Plaza, and appetizers by Pizza Plus, Fourth Street, Lakewood.
For more information or tickets, contact Robin Taylor-Wellet at 732-330-5384 or rwellet@aol.com.
About the Lakewood Historical Museum: The Lakewood Historical Museum, Pine Park, Lakewood, N.J., is housed in Kuser Hall, a two-story, 16,000 square-foot former classroom building. Through the volunteer efforts of members in the Historical Society and the Heritage Commission, the first floor of Kuser Hall has been transformed into a showcase, featuring six completed galleries of Lakewood memorabilia and artifacts. Funds are needed to restore the second floor of Kuser Hall, and to acquire and build an elevator.
Kuser Hall is the last remaining building of five that made up the Newman School, an exclusive preparatory boarding school for boys, which closed in 1942 as young men left for the war. The building, which the township acquired in 1964 through Green Acres Funding, was the math and science center of the school.
Save Three Lives! BoneFish Grill, Brick, to Sponsor Blood Drive This July
The Bonefish Grill, 179 Van Zile Road, Brick, N.J., is sponsoring a blood drive Sunday, July 21, 2019, from Noon to 4:00 p.m. in a blood mobile in the Brick Plaza Shopping Center, next to the Bonefish Grill.
As a thank you, the Bonefish Grill is donating either a free appetizer or a dessert to each donor. All donors will also receive free health screenings, including cholesterol, blood pressure, temperature, iron, pulse, and blood type.
Who can donate blood? A blood donor must be 17 years of age, weigh at least 110, and pounds have I.D. Audrey Wary, event coordinator for the Bonefish Grill, said, “We are hoping to get more than 30 donors this year. Remember to eat a meal before donating blood and be sure to drink plenty of water before and after a donation.”
Appointments are preferred but walk-ins are also welcome. To make an appointment, call 732-785-2725 or visit https://donor.cbsblood.org/donor/schecules/drive_schedule/49834.
It only takes 15 minutes, but your blood donation can save up to three lives! Donations will provide life-saving blood and blood products for hospitals in New Jersey and New York, bone marrow registration and donor services, and public and private umbilical cord blood collection and storage. To learn more about programs and how to get help with transfusion services, call 201-251-3703 or visit vitalant.org. Vitalant is a nonprofit community blood service provider.
Newest Business Organization at 200 and Growing!
It began with an idea. In just nine months, it grew to more than 100 people. Today COBA (Central Ocean Business Association), a 501(c) 6, a nonprofit business organization, has almost 200 members and is still growing!
John Crisafulli, founder and president of COBA, said, “COBA is specifically designed to raise awareness and stimulate the economy along the Route 9 South corridor, which includes Bayville, Beachwood, Lacey Township, Ocean Gate, Pine Beach, and South Toms River. COBA also serves as a liaison between local government and business owners.”
Everyone is invited to a COBA Networking Mixer, July 10, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., at Joey Harrison’s River House, 361 E. Lacey Road, Forked River. The fee for members is $15; future members $20.
COBA holds a monthly networking and breakfast, open to the public, every third Friday at Joey Harrison’s River House, 361 E. Lacey Road, Forked River, 8:00 to 10:00 a.m. The next monthly breakfast, sponsored by Sharer & Associates, is July 19. The cost for members is $15; future members $20, and includes a hot breakfast buffet.
COBA also hosts luncheons and evening events at member business locations throughout the month. Events are listed at www.cobanj.org or www.facebook.com/cobanj.
Dues are $100.00. Dues for 501c3s are $50.00 annually Visit http://www.cobanj.org. for membership applications. Membership includes discounted admission to meetings and free banner space on the COBA website. Members can also purchase limited event sponsorships.
For more information, contact COBA President John Crisafulli at 732-844-8133 or info@cobanj.org. Visit www.cobanj.org for more information.
About COBA – Mission: COBA was founded with an entrepreneurial spirit and a lofty objective – to inspire, motivate, and champion the small business community along the Route 9 corridor through the
stimulation of new ideas, shared information, and co-operation with local municipalities; all to encompass a more efficient and effective way to grow and create business in the local community.
COBA Officers : President, John Crisafulli, VP/Retail Regional Manager, First Commerce Bank, Lakewood, NJ (O) 732-364-0032 x1205; (C) 973-568-4284 jcrisafulli@firstcommercebk.com; Treasurer, Pasquale L. Givelekian, Esq., CPA Law Offices of Pasquale L. Givelekian Managing Member; Toms River, NJ, (O) 732-361-2897 pat@plgtaxlaw.com; Vice President, Alexandra Nieves-Martinez, Esq. Law Offices of Alexandra Nieves-Martinez
(O) (732) 237-0008; (C) (732) 684-4764 anmlawyernj@gmail.com; Secretary, Sabrina Licastro Daunno Realty; Office Manager & Realtor, Toms River, NJ,(O) 732-255-8989; (C) 848-240-4309 sabrina@daunnorealty.com
COBA Volunteer Board of Directors
Cindy Brennan, Mamma Bear’s Defense; Jonathan Bergman, Sales and Marketing Consultant; Andrew Chupa, Cloud9 VoIP; Brian Di Stefano, Esq Law Offices of Brian Di Stefano; Richie Fingerlin Advisors Mortgage; Alyssa Giglio, The Mabie Group; Keller Williams; David Nicola, Maser Consulting; Kurt Palermo Leaftree Real Estate; Matthew D. Portnoy, CLCS HUB International Northeast Limited; Sara Sardella Trinity Solar.
Don’t Miss the Largest Safety Event in New Jersey This Sunday
LCSW (Lakewood Civilian Safety Watch) together with the Lakewood Police Department (LPD) are inviting families to “Safety First,” a community-wide event, this Sunday, June 30 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the John F. Patrick Sports Complex, Vine Street, Lakewood.
Safety First emphasizes important safety messages for kids, and positive interactions between the community and more than 20 government agencies. The first 1,000 attendees will receive a free LCSW camp bag. Other giveaways are free ices and a cold water bottle for all attendees, among many other safety giveaways.
Events include four magic shows by RJ Lewis, featuring all new safety tricks; the Eye-in-Sky drone; a K9 unit; two live vehicle extrications by Hatzolah and Lakewood First Aid, a N.J. State Police helicopter landing, a N.J. State Side-by-Side sprinkler fire demonstration; the Sheriff’s mounted horse unit; bike registration; and helmet fittings. LCSW, LPD, and the Sheriff’s department will conduct car seat checks.
For more information, contact Lauren, event coordinator at LCSW at 732-367-5279, Ext. 7. The LCSW 24-hour emergency hotline is 732-367-1212.
Participating agencies include N.J. State Police, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office, Lakewood Police Department, LCSW/Lakewood Shomrim, Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office, Customs and Border Protection, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, Lev Rochel Bikur Cholim, Howell Police Department, Hatzolah of Central Jersey, N.J. Transit Police, Lakewood First Aide, Ocean County Fire Marshals, Lakewood EMS, MONOC, Lakewood Fire Department, and the Ocean County Department of Corrections.
N.J. Health Care Networking Group to Meet July 10
The monthly meeting of N.J. Health Care Networking Group, a free organization for anyone in the health care industry, including those who provide ancillary products and services, is Wednesday, July 10, 2019, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. at Allaire Rehab & Nursing, 115 Dutch Lane, Freehold, NJ 07728.
The N.J. Health Care Networking Group provides an opportunity to build relationships among health care professionals, market events, and promote business. Membership is free; however, register to take advantage of member benefits, such as posting to N.J. Health Care Networking Group’s website all health care and marketing events, training information, employment listings, and access to a member directory.
For more information about N.J. Health Care Networking Group, email Lisa Gallicchio, director of community relations for Preferred Home Health Care & Nursing Services, Eatontown, at lisa@preferredcares.com, call 732-547-9886, or visit www.njhcnet.com for the monthly location and member events. Meetings take place in a different New Jersey county each month.