FEATURED PHOTO: MCHA Executive Committee: (l to r front row) Kathy Jones (2nd Vice President), Lisa Klem Wilson (Treasurer), Ross Millhiser (Vice President Emeritus); (l to r back row) Sandy Mulheren (1st Vice President), Michael Parent (Assistant Treasurer) | CREDIT: Lynne Ward

 

Many participants gathered in their own gardens to safely ‘bloom where they are planted’ while honoring a cherished tradition and joining in a virtual toast to MCHA and its mission to preserve and celebrate the history of Monmouth County.

For more than four decades, MCHA has hosted the annual Garden Party on the last Sunday evening in June. Beginning as an intimate gathering featuring homemade hors d’oeuvres passed by young volunteers and décor plucked from members’ own gardens, the event grew to a much-anticipated summer institution welcoming close to 400 guests to enjoy beautiful vistas from many of the grandest riverfront homes in Monmouth County. This year, due to the current public health crisis, MCHA was not able to host the customary summer soiree. Instead, the Association invited attendees to come together with family and close friends in their own gardens and backyards, while observing social distancing, and then tune in to the Zoom Bloom to share their love for history and the Garden Party with the community.

The Zoom Bloom program featured a greeting from Linda Bricker, President of the MCHA Board of Trustees, welcoming all, exploring the storied history of the Garden Party, and expressing appreciation to the Committee members, trustees, staff, and contributors who continue to help shepherd the Association through this challenging time. Executive Director Meg Sharp-Walton then took to the screen, highlighting the rich 120-year legacy of MCHA and the crucial role history plays in understanding and navigating the challenges the country faces today. Going on to spotlight the Association’s esteemed collection and historic sites reflecting 350 years of American heritage, diverse exhibitions ranging from the paintings of 19th century artist Micah Williams to Springsteen: His Hometown, and innovative programs including a garden project based on Thomas Jefferson’s horticultural records and the newly launched Remembering Covid-19 campaign to gather and archive personal reflections on the pandemic, Sharp-Walton also stressed the vital part supporters and contributors play in ensuring MCHA can continue this important mission. Attendees then joined 2019 Garden Party Honoree and past Interim Director Charles “Chuck” Jones in a toast to the Garden Party and the future of MCHA.

For more information and way to donate to MCHA, please visit MonmouthHistory.org.

FEATURED PHOTO: Former “Daily Show” host Jon Stewart with members of the Male Mentorship Program. | CREDIT: Lunch Break

Former “Daily Show” host Jon Stewart will emcee Lunch Break’s annual Fall Gala on Friday, October 16, 2020 at Stillwell Stables, located at 117 Muhlenbrink Road in Colts Neck. This year’s honorees include such philanthropic community leaders as Carol Stillwell, President and CEO of Stillwell-Hansen, Inc., Norma Todd Service Award; Lunch Break Board President John Klein and his wife, Robin, Heart to Hand Award; and Guttenplan’s Frozen Dough, A Child’s Place School, Lincroft, and Abe and Linda Littenberg, Corporate Platinum Partner Award.

“We are looking forward to this year’s Gala with great excitement,” says Executive Director Gwendolyn Love. “We are thrilled to have Jon Stewart as our host and grateful to Carol Stillwell for providing the gorgeous fall backdrop of Stillwell Stables. I couldn’t be prouder of our honorees, who exemplify Lunch Break’s mission in their lives and work every day.”

The evening, which takes place from 6:00 to 11:00 p.m., will feature dinner, dancing, raffles and auctions. Tickets are $350 per person. Proceeds will benefit Lunch Break’s mission of providing food, clothing, fellowship and life skills to those struggling with financial burdens in Monmouth County and beyond. Lunch Break accepts donations online at lunchbreak.org or at its headquarters, 121 Drs. James Parker Blvd. in Red Bank. 

 

 

Colts Neck Community Church (CNCC) invites the community to participate in a weekend of “Gathering Gifts to Give,” for residents to drop-off items to benefit those in need and in crisis settings during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Gathering Gifts to Give” will be a drop-off Community Donation Drive at the CNCC Parking Lot, located at 25 Merchants Way in Colts Neck, on Saturday, April 18, 2020 from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. and on Sunday, April 19, 2020 from 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. CNCC will adhere to the CDC and local government guidelines for PPE and social distancing regulations.

They will be accepting PPE supply donations from the community, including: masks, gloves, antibacterial soap and hand sanitizer, which will be distributed as “Encouragement Gifts” to local doctors, healthcare professionals and first responders who are working on the front lines. They will also be accepting donations such as: gift cards for stores or online services that sell groceries or useful products, paper products (toilet paper, paper towels, napkins) and non-perishable food items (no canned goods), which will be distributed as “Support Gifts” to those who have fallen on difficult times due to COVID-19. Alternate ways of giving can be made by check or online here. For more information on ways to give, contact Pastor Chris Durkin, Senior Pastor of CNCC or Glen J. Dalakian, President of CNCC at GatheringToGive@gmail.com.

“CNCC recognizes the incredible needs of our community at large by providing both supplies to people who may be shut-in, as well as those on the front line in our healthcare and first responder systems. We would like to encourage all who are in need and let them know that they are loved and appreciated,” said Glen J. Dalakian. The community invites anyone to contact them if they know of people who would benefit from these types of donations. The American spirit is resilient and generous, and CNCC is hopeful that the community can lend support to those in need during the COVID-19 crisis. Donations will be packaged and distributed the week of April 27, 2020.

For more information, visit here.

 

Find yourself with extra time on your hands these days? Ever dream of having professional actors and directors make a movie that YOU wrote? Do you just love to create? Well, you’re in luck!

The Middletown Arts Center has launched MAKE IT TOGETHER! – a free national online script-to-video project. The Arts Center hopes to spark creativity and fun collaborations as this initiative will connect kids, families and individuals with artists and arts organizations to bring their film ideas to life. Submit a short script (up to three minutes or approximately five typed pages in length) and the team of performers, directors and editors will use them (as many as they can) as the blueprints to make outrageous, beautiful, silly masterpieces. Every week, the Middletown Arts Center will pick a simple story situation to get you started.

This is NOT a competition or a place for aspiring playwrights to be discovered. This is a chance for kids and families to interact with some great artists and just make something for the sake of making something – the online equivalent of a rainy day DIY craft project, but you get to make it with pros!

STORY OF THE WEEK: Two people are in a boat. Who are they? What happens?

Click here for each week’s story or visit www.middletownarts.org. Make sure your script has your first name and last initial, age, town and state. Send us your boat story scripts at: MakeItTogetherScripts@gmail.com

 

 

The spread of COVID-19 has challenged each of us, reshaping our daily lives in an instant. But, it’s also highlighted the strength of our community and our ability to support each other – and few exemplify that strength better than our medical workers and emergency responders. That’s why Bell Works is excited to announce the “Not All Heroes Wear Capes” campaign to help support those at the front lines, including the COVID-19 testing facility workers at PNC Bank Arts Center and Bayshore Medical Hospital, as well as the Holmdel Police Department, The National Guard, and emergency responders from Holmdel’s Fire Rescue, OEM, and EMS Departments/Teams.

Since Monday, March 30th – Richard Corbo and the chefs of Bell Market have been preparing freshly made meals to support our local heroes. Through this campaign, the Bell Market team will provide roughly 500 hearty, nutrient-rich meals a day to those on the frontline.

Feeding our first responders and healthcare workers is one of the most important ways we can give back during these unprecedented times. To kickstart this initiative, Bell Works donated $10,000 to fund the first five days of meal prep and delivery.

The goal is to reach $100,000 — this would allow Bell Market to provide 500 meals daily for the next 30 days; you can join Bell Works in this opportunity to support those on the frontline.

To support the relief program and make a donation, Bell Works has set up a GoFundMe page where anyone in the community can contribute directly to the cause.

This program would not be possible without the following partners, Holmdel Township Mayor Buontempo and RBC’s Bell Market. Bell Works would also like to thank its campaign organizers, led by Bell Work’s Creative Director, Paola Zamudio.

Now more than ever, the strength as a community can make a difference. With every donation, no matter how large or small, Bell Works will be able to send another welcome meal to those on the frontlines of this battle against COVID-19.

 

Monmouth County officials held a press conference today, March 25, 2020, to request donations for desperately needed supplies and announce a donation drop off site. Officials also discussed County operations and the upcoming elections.

“At the County, all of our employees have been instructed to practice social distancing and many are following alternative work plans,” said Freeholder Director Thomas A. Arnone. “With that said, it is also important to note that the County is open and operational. While physical public access has been restricted, there are several ways for the public to access the County. Phone calls and emails are being answered and steps have been taken, such as livestreaming, to make sure that we are still reachable.”

The Freeholder Director announced that the Monmouth County Health Department hotline now has an email address. Questions can be emailed to MonmouthCOVID19@visitmonmouth.com at any time and they will be answered during normal business hours.

The Monmouth County Health Department hotline, 732-845-2070, is open to answer general questions about COVID-19 weekdays from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

“We are here today to provide information, but we are also here to ask for your help,” added Freeholder Director Arnone. “We are asking for help from nurses to volunteer with the Monmouth County Health Department to do case management or help in any capacity. There is a lot of work to be done and we are asking for help from trained professionals who may be available to assist us in our efforts.”

Nurses who are willing to volunteer, can call the COVID-19 hotline at 732-845-2070 or email MonmouthCOVID19@visitmonmouth.com.

“People who are overwhelmed with uncertainty and experiencing anxiety may feel uncomfortable calling the Monmouth County Health Department hotline because they do not want anyone to think they are in a crisis situation,” said Freeholder Susan M. Kiley. “Currently, Monmouth ACTS is working on a phone number for anyone who needs emotional assistance to call to discuss this challenging time.”

Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden spoke about Monmouth County’s healthcare workers and first responders and their desperate need of personal protective equipment which has become increasingly scarce due to the ongoing battle against COVID-19.

“Healthcare professionals and first responders remain at the forefront when battling COVID-19 and are in dire need of this personal protective equipment to continue to respond to this unprecedented demand for services,” said Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden. “We invite you to assist us by donating items from the list of personal protective equipment, in order for those on the front lines to protect themselves while protecting the public.”

Monmouth County Clerk Christine Giordano Hanlon informed Monmouth County voters and candidates that the Governor signed Executive Order No. 105 to further mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and to ensure that all voters can exercise their right to vote without risking their health and safety.

The Executive Order mandates that municipal elections on May 12, which in Monmouth County exclusively affects Allenhurst, Deal, Keansburg and Loch Arbour, be conducted solely via mail-in ballots. The Executive Order also changed the process for candidate petition filing for the June 2 primary election by permitting primary election candidates to obtain signatures electronically on a nominating petition.

“We will be working hand in hand with our municipal officials in these four towns to ensure that every voter in Allenhurst, Deal, Keansburg, and Loch Arbour receives a ballot,” said Clerk Hanlon. “I encourage primary election candidates to visit my elections website for more information or to call our elections office at 732-431-7790 with any questions.”

Personal Protective Equipment needed includes: nitrile examination gloves, surgical or N95 masks, protective gowns, protective face shields, multi-function no-contact infrared thermometers, hand sanitizer and anti-bacterial wipes.

Donations of these items are being accepted at Thompson Park, 805 Newman Springs Road, in Lincroft, beginning Wednesday, March 25, from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Monday through Friday. For additional information, or to arrange the drop-off of personal protective equipment, please call 732-842-4000, ext. 4312. The phone number is staffed every day, including weekends.

The Count Basie Center for the Arts, New Jersey’s leading nonprofit performing arts center, is turning downtime into game time! It’s ARTS MADNESS. Beginning today, March 23, 2020, the Basie’s three-week ‘tournament’ will solicit one-minute videos from musicians, local bands, dancers, actors, comedians, musical theatre performers and all others aged 8-25. Thirty-two of the best videos will be entered into the tournament, with the first selections in the “round of 32” debuting on the Basie’s social media channels. From there, it’s up to the general public: voting rounds will be posted, and fans and artists alike will cheer on their favorites, moving all the way down to a Final Four and championship round in April. Interested performing arts may submit a video (or link) to artsmadness@thebasie.org. Full info is available at www.thebasie.org/madness.