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SHREWSBURY: HISTORICAL PLAQUE INSTALLED

Forty-three years after the Shrewsbury Historic District attained placement on the National Register of Historic Places, community members marked the installation of a commemorative plaque outside Borough Hall on September 10.

The district, in the vicinity of Broad Street and Sycamore Avenue, won the national designation in July, 1978, two years after the New Jersey equivalent was awarded.

Marking the occasion, the Shrewsbury Historical Society was joined by borough officials, religious leaders, members of Boy Scouts Troop 50 and local history lovers in Colonial-era costumes. (Photo by Shrewsbury Historical Society. Click to enlarge.)

 

ON THE GREEN: ONE ‘ANGRY HOUSE PAINTER’

The Guild of Creative Art mounts a solo show spotlighting works by Paul Hansen this weekend.

Even taking into consideration the generally angry tone of public discourse these days, it’s curiously refreshing to read an artist’s statement that centers around the claim, “art is dead.” And while Paul Hansen goes on to clarify that “art form is everywhere” — including a painted door, a well-swept floor, a rocking chair, and sanding with the grain — he’s not shy about professing that “the combination of years of breathing paint fumes and Viking DNA has brought us to my next show, the ‘Angry House Painter.'”

The solo-show installation of that name takes to the walls of Shrewsbury’s Guild of Creative Art beginning tonight, ushering in an artful interlude that also boasts the continuation of some fascinating featured shows at Detour Gallery and the Monmouth Museum.

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SHREWSBURY: NEW PRESIDENT AT CYMCA

Laurie Goganzer has been named new president and CEO at The Community YMCA, succeeding Rhonda Anderson.  

Press release from The Community YMCA

On July 19, after an extensive nationwide search, the Board of Directors at The Community YMCA unanimously appointed Laurie Goganzer of Chula Vista, CA, as the new president and chief executive officer for the 143-year-old nonprofit organization, which serves 20,000 people in Monmouth County.

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A HOMECOMING FOR RBR EAGLE SCOUT

Recent Red Bank Regional graduate Kent Hottmann of Shrewsbury returned to his Monmouth Day Care Center alma mater to complete his Eagle Scout project, a music wall.  

Press release from Red Bank Regional High School

In a July 15 ceremony held at Shrewsbury Presbyterian Church, recent Red Bank Regional High School graduate Kent Hottmann of Shrewsbury was honored as an Eagle Scout, becoming the 111th scout with Shrewsbury’s Troop 50 to earn Scouting’s highest award since the Troop’s inception in the 1930s.

To satisfy the requirements for the rank, Kent performed over 100 community service hours, and provided service and leadership as an Assistant Senior Patrol Leader for his troop. For his Eagle Scout project, Kent went back to his earliest days of pre-school, to improve the children’s playground at his Red Bank “alma mater,” Monmouth Day Care Center.

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SHREWSBURY: HISTORIC PLAQUE REDEDICATED

Left to right: Local NSDAR chapter Vice Regent Deborah Hvizdos, Lillian Nemcik, Elizabeth Dunnell, Chaplain Jo Ann Mazzucca, Jacob Rue, and Regent Kathleen Evans rededicate a restored bronze plaque marking the historic Delaware Trail, during a Memorial Day ceremony at Shrewsbury’s Patriot’s Isle.

Press release from Shrewsbury Towne-Monmouth Chapter, NSDAR

In 1935, a bronze plaque was set on a sycamore tree located on Patriot’s Isle, at the Four Corners intersection of Sycamore Avenue and Broad Street in Shrewsbury. Planted by early colonists, the tree served to mark the Delaware Trail, used by the area’s Native American inhabitants — and later by George Washington’s troops, as they marched through New Jersey during the Revolutionary War campaign.

On Memorial Day, May 29, the refurbished bronze plaque was reinstalled near the site of its historic host tree, by members of the Shrewsbury Towne-Monmouth Chapter of the National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR).

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SHREWSBURY: ‘DREAMS’ COME IN THREES

Paintings by Tera Yoshimura, left, and Miguel Figueras are on display with photographs by Hal Kahn in the group show opening at the Guild of Creative Art this Sunday.

“Not all dreams fade at dawn,” Shrewsbury’s Guild of Creative Art says in promo material for its latest exhibit. “Often, they linger and comfort us and haunt us throughout our lives.”

A trio of local artists use paintbrush, pigment and pixels to grapple with that concept in a month-long group show entitled Visible Dreams. that begins with a public-welcome opening reception Sunday afternoon.

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SHREWSBURY: A STRAWBERRY STATEMENT

The Greater Red Bank Green has its share of long-running rites of spring, and gatekeeper events to summer’s threshold, but none sweeter than the annual Strawberry Festival, the 2017 edition of which returns right on schedule to the Presbyterian Church at Shrewsbury for a morning and afternoon of family-friendly activities, foodstuffs and fundraiser shopping this Saturday.

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ON THE GREEN: A TIME-TRIPPING WEEKEND

The Allen House in Shrewsbury’s Historic District is just one of many history-kissed homes, museums and houses of worship open for public perusal during the annual Weekend in Old Monmouth.

It’s a step back in time that includes Little Silver’s Parker Homestead — at more than 350 years of age, a house that’s every bit as old as the colony of New Jersey; the homes and graves of rebel patriots and Tories alike; and centuries-old structures that have served as worship houses, museums and even venues for some Reckless Steamy Nights.

If it’s the first Saturday and Sunday in May, this must be the Weekend in Old Monmouth — and if you’re sufficiently curious about the rich history of the place where you live, there’s never been a better time to get acquainted with the Greater Red Bank Green’s historic sites.

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RED BANK: ART, ABANDONED AND SEDUCTIVE

Ellen Martin’s ‘Abandoned’ series of photographs (above) are on display beginning Thursday at the Oyster Point.

From painted portraits of nature’s splendor to photographic captures of commercial ruins and other scenes of gorgeous desolation, the galleries  of the Greater Red Bank Green offer up an eyeful in the days and nights to come with an art walk that begins Thursday evening with a new installation on the walls and walkways of the Oyster Point Hotel.

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RUMSON: COMMUNITIES TEAM FOR ‘TREE TALK’

Left to right: An April 19 “Tree Talk” conference drew the participation of William Gerth (Shrewsbury), Christian Burns (Fair Haven), Professor Jason Grabosky (Rutgers University), plus Wayne Greenleaf, Steve Barrett, and Kristen Hall (Rumson). (photo by Christopher Rodriguez) 

Press release from Christopher Rodriguez, Fair Haven Borough Council

The local communities of Fair Haven, Rumson, Little Silver and Shrewsbury came together on April 19 as a broader group for a discussion about our trees — the ones that benefit our environment, as well as some we can avoid — in a public-welcome meeting of the Two Rivers Shade Tree Alliance.

During the Tree Talk at Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School, Shade Tree Commissioners from the four towns hosted and engaging presentation by Rutgers University professor Jason Grabosky. The professor, a local expert in urban forestry, ecology and natural resources, conducted an interactive slideshow presentation, and entertained questions from the dozens of local residents in attendance.

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SHREWSBURY: GO OARS-IN FOR INSULIN

For over 25 years, the people of the nonprofit Diabetes Foundation Inc. (DFI) have been providing insulin and medical supplies for New Jersey residents who are unable afford their meds — and as Ilene Winters points out, “In all that time, they’ve NEVER turned anyone away!”

The proprietor of Oar Fitness and Endurance in Sea Bright and the Community Relations Director for the Paramus-based DFI, Winters (pictured) recognizes that the rising cost of insulin represents a continuous need for funding — in other words, a campaign that must maintain marathon levels of momentum. To that end, the Wall Street veteran and avid triathlete has organized a Half Marathon Row fundraising event for the morning of Saturday, May 13.

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SHREWSBURY: ‘FOOD FOR FINES’ FORGIVES

Press release from Monmouth County Library

As the Monmouth County Library‘s April Food Drive enters its second full week, those who donate will have the opportunity to get a little something back in recognition of their generosity, when the ‘Food for Fines’ program affords the opportunity for anyone with an outstanding balance for overdue books to have charges forgiven in return for a donation.

Collection bins are in place at the Eastern Branch Library in Shrewsbury and other Monmouth County locations to accept non-perishable product donations. The drive is part of the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders partnership with the Foodbank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties to help alleviate hunger.

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SHREWSBURY: LEARN FIRST AID FOR PETS

The Broad Street station house of Shrewsbury Hose Company is the scene of an April 23 seminar in animal lifesaving skills.

Press release from Tails of Hope Animal Rescue

Do you know how to help your pet in an emergency? The Englishtown-based NJ chapter of Tails of Hope Animal Rescue is hosting a Pet CPR and First Aid Class for pet owners and pet care professionals on Sunday, April 23.

Between the hours of 12 to 4 p.m., the firehouse headquarters of Shrewsbury Hose Company (783 Broad Street/Route 35 in Shrewsbury) will be the setting for an informational session conducted by Tom Rinelli of Paws ‘N Claws 911, with the 25+ year seasoned emergency medical care provider and educator offering “real world” training with an emphasis on hands-on lifesaving skills.

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SHREWSBURY: ‘FOOD FOR FINES’ IS BACK

Press release from Monmouth County Library

As part of National Library Week, the popular Food for Fines program will once again be featured at all branches of the Monmouth County Library system, including the Eastern Branch in Shrewsbury, from April 9 through 15.

The Food for Fines program enables library users to return all delinquent books through an amnesty program, which eliminates the fine in exchange for the donation of items for the library’s Food program.

All canned and boxed products can be dropped in the bins at the Library Headquarters, or any of its branches, with $1 off each fine for each item contributed. All food items are delivered by the library to the Foodbank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties.

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ON THE GREEN: GALLERY OPENINGS

Works by prize winners Joan Myers (above) and Peter Smejkal, (below) are among the featured works in the juried photography show ‘Eyesights,’ opening Sunday at the Guild of Creative Art.

Two highly anticipated annual juried art shows — one of them judged by a couple of Red Bank’s favorite f-stoppers — highlight a self-guided art walk for the month of March on the Greater Red Bank Green.

It begins this Saturday on the sidewalks of downtown Red Bank, where Monmouth Street fixture the Art Alliance of Monmouth County hosts an opening reception from 6 to 8 p.m. for a pair of group shows organized under the themes URBAN and RURAL.

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FROM RBR TO SENIORS, A SPECIAL SHOW

Left to right: Shrewsbury Homesteader program chairperson Jerry Viracola and Homesteader president Carolyn Alt are pictured with RBR drama majors Maximum Portman, Erin McEvoy, Dixie O’Connell, Davis Bush, Luke Pearlberg, Lily Pena, Gianna Brockriede, Tamia Waddy, Alanah Ramos, Molly Pair, Anthony Campana,  and RBR drama teacher Reuben Jackson.

Press release from Red Bank Regional High School

On January 12, an entourage of drama majors from the Visual and Performing Arts Academy at Red Bank Regional High School showcased their talents during the monthly meeting of the Shrewsbury Homesteaders.
The members of the senior citizens’ organization were treated to a program of original songs, poetry readings and dramatic soliloquies from the works of William Shakespeare. Several cast members from RBR’s recent production of The Crucible recreated a scene from that classic drama by Arthur Miller.

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RUMSON’S SWARTZ RE-ELECTED LIBRARY CHAIR

Press release from Monmouth County Library

Renee Swartz Lillian BurryDuring its reorganization meeting held recently at the Eastern Branch Library in Shrewsbury, Renee Swartz of Rumson was unanimously re-elected chair of the Monmouth County Library Commission, a position that the popular long time member has held since 1976.

A graduate of Barnard College, Swartz (left in picture, with Freeholder Lillian Burry) dates her interest in the role of libraries back to the early years of her marriage, when she was asked to volunteer as a survey taker for the American Association of University Women, as a way of determining what educational resources would be offered to the growing population of Monmouth County.

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REGISTER NOW FOR TWO RIVER LITTLE LEAGUE

9u-trll-east-teamThe season of wintry weather may have descended upon the local baseball diamond, but January means thoughts of “Play Ball!”, as the first month of the calendar year represents registration time for Two River Little League.

trll-logoCome spring time, recreation baseball and softball will be in full swing as TRLL begins its fourth season. Founded in 2013, the league welcomes young residents of Red Bank, Little Silver, Shrewsbury, Fair Haven and Rumson.

Participation in the league has grown each year, and in 2016 the league had its first tournament champion when the 9U TRLL East team (above) won the highly competitive NJ District 19 baseball tournament.

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SHREWSBURY: VISITORS COUNT AT LIBRARY

deer-libraryA deer grazing outside the library in June, 2011. (Photo by Peter Lindner. Click to enlarge.)

Press release from Monmouth County Library

More than half a million books circulated. Close to a quarter of a million visitors. An additional 2400 patrons registered. All part of a very busy 2016 at the Eastern Branch of the Monmouth County Library during 2016, as Branch Manager Kim Avagliano reported to the Monmouth County Library Commission at its recent end of the year meeting.

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SHREWSBURY: Y HOSTS MLK ESSAY CONTEST

richard-t-smithPress release from The Community YMCA

High school students who are currently participating in programs at The Community YMCA or the Western Monmouth County YMCA are invited to enter an essay contest honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The contest, which has an entry deadline of Thursday, January 5, will present its winning entries at the annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Breakfast on Monday, January 16.

Hosted at Branches Catering in West Long Branch, the 28th annual event co-sponsored by the Shrewsbury-based CYMCA will include readings by the two winning essayists, each of whom will be awarded a $500 scholarship sponsored by Investors Bank and Monmouth County Chiefs of Police Association. Richard T. Smith (pictured), President of the New Jersey State Conference of the NAACP, will be the keynote speaker at the breakfast, scheduled from 8 to 10 a.m.

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SHREWSBURY: GUILD AWARDS MEDAL WINNERS

folk-festival

island-man-on-bikeRed Bank artists Eileen Kennedy (“Folk Festival,” above) and Tyler Nunnally-Duck (“Island Man on Bike,” below) are among the medal winners honored during the annual holiday group show exhibit at the Guild of Creative Art. Juror Barbara Russo selected Kennedy’s painting as Best In Show; awarding two silver achievement and eight bronze achievement awards in the categories of painting and photography. Together with the small-works exhibit “Cash & Carry,” the show remains on display through January 4 at the Guild’s Shrewsbury studio, during regular days and hours of operation (the studio will be closed between Christmas and New Year’s Day). 

RED BANK: A CUPFUL OF $$$ FOR LUNCH BREAK

the_white_road_cupFriendly competitors from Little Silver and Shrewsbury took part in the 15th annual White Road Cup game last Friday, with the flag football contest raising $10,000 for the borough-based nonprofit Lunch Break.

Press release from Culinary Communications

The recent Black Friday marked the 15th Anniversary of the White Road Cup, the annual flag-football fundraiser that pits players from Little Silver against their neighbors from Shrewsbury Borough.

First played in 2002, the event has grown to become a festive, well-attended community tradition, featuring contests for children, men, and women. These hard-fought games are exciting for all (and of course, bragging rights are important), but the true winner is Lunch Break. This year over $10,000 was raised for the organization, which helps to put food on the table for thousands of families in need (the charity flag football event raised $10,000 in 2015 as well).

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RED BANK HOSTS ‘WHITE ROAD CUP’ ON FRIDAY

the_white_road_cupIt began as a friendly flag-football rivalry between communities based at either end of White Road’s east-west artery — a “symbol of bestowed superiority” in which “one town’s dream is realized while the other’s is pushed to a shattering state of sorrow.”

This Friday, November 25, “The White Road Cup” marks its milestone 15th anniversary with a series of games for children, women and men, hosted on the turf at Red Bank’s Count Basie Field.

Kicking off at 9 a.m. and continuing into the early afternoon, the match-ups between “The Shrewsbury Tigers” and “The Little Silver Warriors” will be generating the expected volume of “playful trash-talking” and passionate partisanship among spectators on the sidelines — as well as a substantial fundraising effort for a worthy community-based cause: the educational/vocational programs and charitable endeavors of Red Bank’s own Lunch Break.

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SHREWSBURY: CYMCA KICKS OFF GIFT DRIVE

cymca-gift-drivePress release from The Community YMCA  

Local residents and businesses are invited to help make the holidays brighter for struggling families in Monmouth County, by giving to The Community YMCA annual holiday gift drive.

Coordinated by the Y’s Counseling and Social Services branch, the gift drive helps to ensure that many of the county’s neediest children and their families can experience the joy and surprise of the holiday season, said Colleen Verriest, Vice President of Counseling and Social Services.

“Strengthening families is at the heart of all we do at The Community YMCA,” Verriest said. “The donated gifts bring great happiness to the children and families who we serve, many of whom are victims of abuse, neglect, in the foster care system, or who have special needs.”

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