Strand Board Honored Lakewood First Responders
To show everyone’s appreciation, the Board of The Strand Center for the Arts, Lakewood, held A Salute to Lakewood First Responders, the first on the scene to help, on August 14 in The Strand Gallery, 400 Clifton Avenue, Lakewood, N.J., with a buffet dinner catered by Pizza Plus, an open bar, entertainment by Acoustic NRG, and an awards ceremony.
The honorees included 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 (LCSW), Chaveirim, the Police Benevolent Association (PBA), and Bikur Cholim.
Strand Executive Director Scott MacFadden and Board President Glenn Harrison presented the awards and proclamations from the N.J. State Senate and House of Representatives to Sheriff Mike Mastronardy on behalf of the Ocean County Sheiff’s Department; Captain Joseph Goertz for the Lakewood Police Department; Chief Jason Wallace for the Lakewood Volunteer Fire Department; Captain Jon Yahr for the Lakewood Career Fire Department; Captain Yehuda Shvarzblat for Lakewood Volunteer First Aid EMS; Chief Crystal Vandezilver for Lakewood First Aid EMS; Emergency Management Coordinator Rob Lawson for Lakewood Office of Emergency Management; Joel Tesser for Hatzolah; Jessica Cerchio for LCSW; President Mike Zwick for PBA, Local 71; Yehoshoa Lapides for Bikur Cholim.
Not present: Chaverim and Lakewood Paid Fire Department whose members were on a call. Jon Yahr will accept their award at a later time.
More than 120 guests entering the theater were greeted by the Belmar band “The Pipes and Drums of the Jersey Shore Shillelagh,” made up of seven bagpipers and five drummers led by Drum Major Mark Mastowski and Pipe Sergeant Glenn Allan. Special guests in attendance included Freeholder Director Ginny Haines, Lakewood Mayor Ray Coles, and Lakewood Committeeman Mike D’Elia.
For more information contact Fran Whitney at Strand.org.
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. The box office is opened on Fridays 2:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Visit strand.org or call the box office at (732) 367-7789, Ext. 216.
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.
Free Lakewood Music Concert A Night at the Cabaret Rescheduled
Because of inclement weather, the music concert A Night at the Cabaret presented by Jimmy Givens has been rescheduled for Wednesday, August 21, 7:00 p.m. at the John Patrick Sports Complex, Vine Avenue, Lakewood. Bring your lawn chairs, sit back, relax, and enjoy this free Lakewood Township music concert sponsored by Lakewood Township Recreation.
For updates, visit www.lakewoodnj.gov. For more information, contact Lakewood Township Recreation at 732-905-3405.
Enrollment Open Anytime! Lakewood Adult Summer Recreation Programs Began
Adult Lakewood Summer Recreation programs sponsored by the Lakewood Recreation Department began August 12 at the John Patrick Sports Complex. Free enrollment is always open for adult programs, but only the instruction is free for adult crafts, including jewelry making, crocheting, and arts and crafts.
Instruction for Jewelry Making is Mondays, 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; Crochet, Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; Arts & Crafts, Wednesdays, 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Programs may be cancelled because of inclement weather, holidays, school building use or school construction. Listen to WOBM for cancellations. For more information, call the Lakewood Recreation office at 732-905-3405 or visit www.lakewoodtwpnj.org.
For further information, call the Lakewood Recreation office at 732-905-3405 or visit www.lakewoodnj.gov.
Karen Surgent of Spring Lake Named COO of Davison Eastman Muñoz Paone, P.A.
Karen Surgent, Spring Lake, was recently named COO (Chief Operating Officer) of Davison Eastman Muñoz Paone, P.A., with offices in Freehold and Toms River, N.J. Surgent will also remain CFO (Chief Financial Officer) of the firm. As COO, Surgent will provide day-to-day leadership and management, and develop and implement business strategies.
A graduate of Wall High School, Surgent worked at New Jersey City University, Jersey City, as Controller, overseeing all financial operations, annual audits, financial reporting, and bond financing before joining Davison Eastman Muñoz & Paone, P.A., in 2016.
Surgent, a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), earned a M.S. in accounting, summa cum laude, from New Jersey City University; and a B.S. in accounting, magna cum laude, from Villanova University, Villanova, Pennsylvania. She served on both the Spring Lake Heights (2008-11) and Manasquan (2009-11) boards of education. She is a member of the Association of Legal Administrators.
For more information, contact Jessica Leigh Evans (732) 462 -7170.
About Davison Eastman Muñoz Paone, P.A. : The law firm of Davison Eastman Muñoz Paone, P.A., founded in 1988, represents clients in corporate litigation as well as in civil and criminal cases, business and employment law, trusts and estates, municipal, community associations, real estate and land use and DWI defense. Five of the firm’s attorneys hold the distinction of being certified by the New Jersey Supreme Court as trial attorneys in civil, criminal or municipal law. The law firm’s offices are located in Freehold and Toms River. For more information, visit respondlaw.com, or call 732.462.7170.
Photograph by Joe Sharp, All is Sharp
Eatontown Special Needs School Turns 50!
What if you had a child with special needs in 1969? Fifty years ago there were not many services or programs for children with special needs. (The federal law mandating such programs would not be enacted until 1975.) A group of Ocean Township parents founded the Harbor School in September of 1969, now one of three RKS Associates private special education schools approved by the N.J. Department of Education for students with special needs and disabilities.
Initially the Harbor School, 240 Broad Street, Eatontown, started with four classrooms, about 25 students ranging in age from six to 14. Today Harbor School has about 90 staff members, 75 students, and a very active PTA.
To mark its 50th anniversary, the Harbor School is holding a celebration at the school on August 9 from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. that will include a 50th anniversary video produced by Gilbert Velasquez and Don Silvernail of GVCERV, a digital and print design studio; carnival games run by Jenn Bogin, the physical education teacher; music performances led by music teacher Amanda Latham; and dance and cheerleading performances led by Santhe Bielk, the dance/theater group teacher. Staff members will give their reflections of the past and present
Dr. Anne Gunteski, principal of Harbor School, said, “We are having a celebration of the history of our school and tribute to all those who have been connected to the school in any way over the years that it has been in existence.”
Invited guests include Governor Phil Murphy, N.J. Education Commissioner Dr. Lamont Repollet, Mayor Anthony Talerico, Police Chief William Lucia, Senators Cory Booker, Robert Menendez, and Vin Gopal; and Assemblyman Eric Houghtaling and Assemblywoman, Joann Downey, both District 11; and Assemblyman and Assembly Speaker, District 10, Craig Coughlin. Executive Administrators Ruth Reinhard and Jean Stack, and Harbor School Principal Dr. Anne Gunteski are the featured speakers.
Each RKS school offers twelve-month program of education, and therapeutic and behavioral support for children from many New Jersey counties and more than 70 school districts who have challenges, such as being multiple disabled; cognitively impaired; and have autistic spectrum disorders, learning disabilities, traumatic brain injury; behavioral disorders, or other health impairments. Services include speech, occupational and physical therapy; counseling; music; computers; physical education; and vocational training.
For more information, contact or for school enrollment in an RKS school, contact Dana Giblin at 732-544-9394.
RKS Associates Schools: Gateway School: 60 High Street Carteret, NJ 07008 (732.541.4400) https://thegatewayschool.com/; Alpha School: 2210 West County Line Road, Suite #1, Jackson, NJ 08527 (732.370.1150) https://alphaschool.com/ ; Harbor School: 240 Broad Street, Eatontown, NJ 07724 (732.544.9394) https://harborschool.com/
PrimeTime Center Moves to New Eatontown Location
PrimeTime Center (PTC), a day program that emphasizes independent living and actual community experiences for adults with developmental disabilities, has moved into a 7,000 sq. ft. location at 51 James Way, Eatontown. An open house is being planned late September for PTC’s new Eatontown location.
Dave Mock, PTC director, said the former center at 240 Broad Street, Eatontown, was not big enough to accommodate about 65 participants and 15 staff members. The new facility includes a state of the art kitchen that will be used for meal preparation, multiple activity rooms equipped with smartboard technology, and a large common area where participants can eat, socialize, and cultivate friendships.
With the larger space, PTC also plans to offer pre-vocational services to clients sometime in the fall. Mock said, “Learning important job skills will lead participants to greater independence and involvement in their community.”
PTC also has centers at 60 High Street, Carteret, and 485 Brick Boulevard, Brick. In its three New Jersey locations, PTC employs about 45 staff members and services more than 200 participants throughout New Jersey. When they began in the summer of 2012, PTC had a staff of four and three participants.
Eligible adults can apply for PTC services through the Division of Developmental Disabilities. Transportation is provided to and from the program for participants who live within a five-mile radius.
For more information about the new Eatontown site, call (848) 257-1400 or email Dave Mock at office@primetimecenter.org Visit www.primetimecenter.org
About PrimeTime Center: The mission of PrimeTime Center is to help participants live life to its fullest by practicing independent living skills, such as meal planning, shopping, money management, travel training, housekeeping and using appropriate computer applications and digital tools to solve real life problems. Visits to local restaurants, shopping centers, theaters, museums, financial institutions, and other community-based instruction trips are incorporated into the daily schedule. In addition, participants can take advantage of local community volunteer opportunities.
PrimeTime Center, approved by the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) and Medicaid, provides programs for adults with developmental disabilities throughout New Jersey. Services for PrimeTime clients include acquiring skills for independent living; functional language arts and math instruction; community-based instruction; training in consumer skills, socialization, and self-advocacy; volunteerism; communication skill building; recreational opportunities; physical fitness, and field trips. PrimeTime Centers are open Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., all year except for traditional holidays.
Eatontown Branch of Preferred Moves to Neptune
Preferred Home Health Care & Nursing Services (PHHC), Inc., has moved its Eatontown branch on Wyckoff Road to larger offices at 3520 Route 33, Neptune City, NJ 07753. The phone number for the PHHC Neptune office, which services all of Monmouth County, is 732-578-0023.
PHHC has locations throughout New Jersey, several in Pennsylvania, and one in Delaware. The company provides a wide range of medical and non-medical home health care services from pediatric to geriatric care; and works collaboratively with physicians, hospitals, nursing homes, and facilities to ensure a smooth transition to one’s home. PHHC is accredited by CHAP (Community Health Accreditation Partner).
In-house services include skilled nursing care for infants, children, adults, and seniors; personal care services, including bathing, grooming, dressing, feeding, etc.; and private duty nursing, among other services. 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.
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
COBA Comedy Show and Dinner to Benefit College Scholarships
COBA (Central Ocean Business Association), a 501(c) 6 nonprofit business organization, is hosting Summer Sizzle – cocktails, a three-course dinner, and a comedy show – to fund local high school scholarships, Saturday, August 3, 2019, from 6:00 to 11:00 p.m. at Kristy’s Casual Dining, 562 U.S. 9, Waretown, NJ 08758.
The comedy show, hosted by Mike Merk from Laughter Lounge, begins at 9:00 p.m. and features two comedians. BUDA, a 6 foot 3 inch, 350 lb. Ukrainian, Italian, whose impressions are considered unique, has been seen at Tropicana and Bally’s casinos; and John Conte, with Atlantic City appearances, has opened for George Carlin, Gilbert Godfried, and Dustin Dimond, among others, and appeared in the HBO series The Sopranos.
John Crisafulli, founder and president of COBA, said, “This event will raise money for scholarships that COBA will award to high school students who will be pursuing a business-related college degree.”
Tickets cost $60 per person. Call COBA at 732-844-8133 or visit http://cobanj.org/coba events. For more information, contact COBA President John Crisafulli at 732-844-8133 or info@cobanj.org.
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 hosts breakfasts, luncheons, and evening events. 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.
N.J. Health Care Networking Group to Meet August 14
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, August 14, 2019, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. at Spring Oak Independent & Assisted Living of Toms River, 2145 Whitesville Road, Toms River 08755.
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.
Freehold Law Firm Hires Two Associates
Herschel P. Rose, Jersey City, and Kaitlyn R. Campanile, Oakhurst, have been hired as associate attorneys at the law firm of Davison, Eastman, Muñoz, Paone in Freehold.
Rose, a land use attorney, represents and advises municipal planning boards and zoning board associations, and applicants and objectors appearing before governing boards. Prior to joining Davison, Eastman, Muñoz, Paone, Rose specialized in commercial disputes, toxic torts, insurance coverage and transportation law at the law firm of Landman, Corsi, Ballaine & Ford, Newark.
Rose earned a B.A. in psychology from Eugene Lang College at the New School University, New York; and a J.D. from Rutgers School of Law, Newark, where he received the Dean’s Merit Scholarship and was president of the Rutgers Labor and Employment Law Society. Rose is a member of the New Jersey and New York Bar associations
Kaitlyn Campanile, an associate of the firm’s business law and litigation department, represents condominium association clients. Before joining Davison, Eastman, Muñoz, Paone, Campanile was an associate attorney at Giaimo & Associates, Rumson, where she served as general legal counsel to New Jersey condominium and homeowners associations and handled transactional real estate matters.
A graduate of Ocean Township High School, Campanile earned a B.S. in finance and economics from Monmouth University, West Long Branch, and a J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law, Newark, where she was president of the Employment Law Society. She is a member of the Monmouth Bar Association, the Community Associations Institute of New Jersey, and is a gold member of the Shore Builder’s Association of Central New Jersey.
For more information, contact Jessica Leigh Evans (732) 462 -7170.
About Davison, Eastman, Muñoz, Paone, P.A. : The law firm of Davison Eastman, Muñoz, Paone, P.A., founded in 1988, represents clients in corporate litigation as well as in civil and criminal cases, business and employment law, trusts and estates, municipal, community associations, real estate and land use and DWI defense. Five of the firm’s attorneys hold the distinction of being certified by the New Jersey Supreme Court as trial attorneys in civil, criminal or municipal law. The law firm’s offices are located in Freehold and Toms River. For more information, visit respondlaw.com, or call 732.462.7170.