Examiner

Jersey Fresh marred by tragedy two years in a row

BY JANE MEGGITT Staff Writer — 05/15/2008

An international event held at the Horse Park of New Jersey in Upper Freehold from May 8-11 was marred by a tragedy. For the second year in a row, a horse died during the Jersey Fresh CCI ** and CCI *** competitions.

AHS alumna has never stopped marching

BY JENNIFER KOHLHEPP Staff Writer — 05/15/2008

Amid 34,804 Rutgers University students, Allentown'sAvery L. Pontell- Schaefer achieved distinction. The 22-year-old Allentown resident will soon graduate from the New Brunswick campus with a Bachelor of Science degree in marketing and a minor in Italian. She will study abroad in Italy this summer.

Juvenile crime on the rise in Millstone Township

BY JANE MEGGITT Staff Writer — 05/15/2008

MILLSTONE - Juvenile arrests and alcohol- and drug-related offenses have been on the rise in the township over the last five years. Helen Varvi, longtime chairwoman of the township's Alliance to Prevent Alcoholismand DrugAbuse, gave the Township Committee a report her group compiled that identifies risks and protections for Millstone youth.

An errant animal makes for special 'Moo'ther's Day

BY JANE MEGGITT and AMY ROSEN Staff Writers — 05/15/2008

Sharon Gaboff has four children but spent most of Mother's Day with a bull. A part-time animal control officer for Manalapan Township, the Millstone resident was unexpectedly called to duty May 11 when what was thought to be an errant cow was discovered wandering in the vicinity ofWoodward Road inManalapan.

Prototype of the American con man came from U.F.

BY JANE MEGGITT Staff Writer — 05/15/2008

UPPER FREEHOLD - The lives of the black sheep in a family often resonate through the centuries, while those of their conventional, law-abiding relatives are lost to history.

Happening in Roosevelt on Saturday

BY JENNIFER KOHLHEPP Staff Writer — 05/15/2008

ROOSEVELT - Something unexpected, strange and artistic will happen in Roosevelt this weekend. Roosevelt residents Brad Garton, Wiska Radkiewicz and Vicotoria Estok will collaborate with a handful of other New Jersey and New York artists to present "Digital Art in Unexpected Places" at 8 p.m. on May 17 at the grounds of the Roosevelt Public School.

Family gives to farm in honor of late son

BY JANE MEGGITT Staff Writer — 05/15/2008

UPPER FREEHOLD - Good fences make good neighbors. And for those with horses as neighbors, good fencing is imperative. Thanks to a fundraising drive by a township couple, Riding High Farm on Route 526 will put up new and improved fencing to keep the 10 horses used in its therapeutic riding program safe and sound.

Winter training facility for horses sought at fort

BY JANE MEGGITT Staff Writer — 05/15/2008

The closing of FortMonmouth in 2011 means that some of the choicest real estate on the East Coastwill be available for public and private investment. One group would like to see 80 acres of the now-federal property in Oceanport, close to Monmouth Park racetrack, dedicated as a training facility for thoroughbred racehorses.

New season starts at Monmouth Park

BY JANE MEGGITT Staff Writer — 05/15/2008

And they're off! Monmouth Park's 63rd season of live thoroughbred racing began onMay 9. The meet will run for 99 days through Sept. 28, with purses averaging $330,000 per day. Highlights of the meet will include the $1 million Haskell Invitational Stakes on Aug. 3.

Freshmen victorious in AHS Battle of the Bands

05/15/2008

ALLENTOWN - Freshmen rock. David Corniola, Kyle Oberhauser and Johnny Costa, performing as the band Havana Harbor, won Allentown High School's annual Battle of the Bands contest on May 2. The freshmen competed against several bands, including senior bands, to win.

Pinewood derby victors announced

05/15/2008

Fifteen local Cub Scouts emerged victorious during the fourth annual Battleground District Pinewood Derby Race held recently at Freehold Raceway Mall, Freehold Raceway. The Scouts hailed from 18 Cub Scout packs from Freehold, Howell, Marlboro, Manalapan,Millstone Township and Colts Neck. The 63 Scouts had to win their local Pinewood Derby races to qualify.

Recess task force bill advances in N.J. Senate

BY TOYNETT HALL Staff Writer — 05/15/2008

On May 5 the Senate Education Committee amended bill A-467, also known as S-226, which seeks to establish a task force that would be charged with studying the potential benefits of student recess and making recommendations on the advisability of mandatory recess in New Jersey school districts.

Many talents create new vision of mill

05/15/2008

Area artists collaborated to create an eclectic interpretation of Allentown's most recognizable vista. Members of theAllentownArt Guild recently completedMural Project 2008, a collective artistic exercise in which the group divided a photo of the Allentown Mill and Mill Pond into individual squares.

Street fest in New Egypt

05/15/2008

An old-fashioned outdoor street festival with family-oriented events for all ages comes to downtown New Egypt on May 17 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Oakford Lake pedestrian bridge links all the festival activities taking place on Lakeview Drive at the Oakford Lake Park to the Front Street site, which is parallel to Main Street, New Egypt.

County course goes green

05/15/2008

MILLSTONE- In this age of environmental concern, going green has come natural to theMonmouth County Park System.

HAMT general meeting scheduled for May 20

05/15/2008

TheHorsemen'sAssociation ofMillstone Township (HAMT) will hold its monthly meeting at 7 p.m. May 20 at the Millstone Township Community Center, 463 Stagecoach Road, Clarksburg section ofMillstone. Topics of discussion will include upcoming activities, special events, trail rides and guest speakers.

Camp Invention coming to Millstone this summer

05/15/2008

Camp Invention is scheduled to take place from July 14-18 at the Millstone Township Middle School. The weeklong summer enrichment program fosters creativity, teamwork, inventive-thinking skills and science literacy. Joanne Schiumo, a teacher at Millstone Township Primary School, has been named the 2008 camp director.

PTO offers family fun at carnival on May 15

05/15/2008

The Millstone Township PTO will host a carnival from 5-8 p.m. on May 15 at the Millstone Township Primary School. The event will feature games, food, prizes, spin art, sand art and more. Proceeds from the event will support PTO programs for students in the school district.

Twp. wants increased surcharges

BY JANE MEGGITT Staff Writer — 05/15/2008

MILLSTONE - The township has gone on the record supporting increasingNewJersey State Police surcharges in lieu of raising property taxes to fund state budget shortfalls, but one committeeman disagrees with its stance. The Township Committee voted 3-1 at its May 7meeting to pass a resolution in support of the state police increasing their surcharges.

State police address recent burglaries in Millstone

BY JANE MEGGITT Staff Writer — 05/15/2008

MILLSTONE- The New Jersey State Police said an e-mail circulated by residents about recent burglaries has caused unnecessary disturbance in the township. Lt.

Second annual clambake scheduled in Millstone

05/15/2008

The Millstone Township Open Space and Farmland Preservation Council will host its second annual clambake on June 8 at the Clarksburg Inn, Route 524.

Youth help line seeks more volunteer advocates

05/15/2008

Many people wish to make a difference in a child's life, and 2nd Floor is offering that chance. The 2nd Floor program is a toll-free, anonymous and confidential help line for children and adolescents in New Jersey.

4-H Horsin' Around Club seeks members

05/15/2008

The Monmouth County 4-H Horsin' Around Club is inviting local youths to join its club, which meets 2-4 p.m. the second Saturday of each month at Free Spirit Farm, Route 527/Siloam Road, Freehold Township. No prior equestrian experience is necessary.

New grants encourage creativity in the aging

05/15/2008

The National Endowment For TheArts has new grant guidelines to actively engage olderAmericans in the disciplines of literature and/or music. Approximately 15 grants will be awarded in the amount of $15,000 or $25,000 and require a one-to-one match. Applications must be submitted via www.grants.gov by May 23 for project support that would begin after Jan. 1, 2009.

Redbirds to hold daylong fundraiser May 19

05/15/2008

TheAllentown Redbirds PopWarner organization is holding a full-day fundraiser May 19 at Via Roma II,Yardville-Allentown Road, Allentown. Via Roma is donating 10 percent of the day's proceeds fromlunch and dinner to the Redbirds. Take-out is also available. For additional information visit www.allentowncentralredbirds. com.

Riding High Farm to hold fundraising fest June 8

05/15/2008

Riding High Farm, a not for profit that provides therapeutic horseback riding lessons for individuals throughout Burlington, Mercer and Monmouth counties, is holding its annual friends and family festival from noon to 4 p.m. June 8 at the Riding High Farm, 145 Route 526, Allentown.

Smithsonian food exhibit starts atWalnford May 31

05/15/2008

Historic Walnford will offer food for thought with its upcoming program, Key Ingredients: America By Food. This traveling exhibit from the Smithsonian, made possible with cooperation from the New Jersey Council for the Humanities, will be visiting Historic Walnford in Upper Freehold from May 31 to July 13.

Local families sought for hosting exchange students

05/15/2008

The American Scandinavian Student Exchange (ASSE) International Student Exchange Programs is seeking local host families for boys and girls from various countries around the world. ASSE International is a nonprofit educational and cultural exchange organization headquartered in Laguna Beach, Calif.

Walkers sought to battle hunger one step at a time

05/15/2008

Walkers are being sought to battle hunger one step at a time in Kinny'sWalk on June 8 at Mercer County Park in West Windsor. For more information, visit www.BattleAgainstHunger.org or call (732) 274 9514.

Annual 'Ocean Fun Days' slated for May 17, 18

05/15/2008

The New Jersey Marine Sciences Consortium (NJMSC), Sandy Hook, will present the fifth annual Ocean Fun Days May 17 at Island Beach State Park and May 18 (rain or shine) at the NJMSC Headquarters. The free events will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Italian-American Assoc. plans July trip to Italy

05/15/2008

The Italian-American Association of Monmouth County is sponsoring a 10-day trip to Italy beginning July 21. The cost includes airfare, hotel, two meals per day and all entrance fees. All are welcome to attend. Details and reservations: (732) 972-5651.

'Wandering Golfer' lands at Monroe country club

05/15/2008

Golf enthusiasts may recognize Gia Bocra, the new instructor at the Forsgate Country Club in Monroe Township.

AAUW is offering scholarships to women

05/15/2008

Applications are being accepted for $2,000 scholarships being offered by the FreeholdArea Branch of theAmericanAssociation of University Women (AAUW). The Freehold Area Branch awards the Lew Williams and the Leila Sulkes Scholarships to women returning to college after an interruption in school attendance of at least one year.

Tee off 'fore' education with the UFREF in June

05/15/2008

The Upper Freehold Regional Education Foundation (UFREF) will host its first annual golf outing on June 9 at the Cream Ridge Golf Club in Upper Freehold. All proceeds from the event will go toward the foundation's grant programs in support of the Upper Freehold Regional School District.

Art yard sale happening in Allentown on May 17

05/15/2008

TheAllentownArtGuildwill hold an art yard sale from10 a.m. to 4 p.m. onMay 17 at the barn studio of Jeff Martin Photography, 78 N. Main St., Allentown. In the event of rain, the sale will be held onMay 18. Guildmemberswill be cleaning out their studios and offering for sale affordableworks of art ranging from paintings and drawings to photography, ceramics and jewelry.

Youth choir of Allentown to hold show May 16, 18

05/15/2008

The youth choir of the Allentown Presbyterian Church will present "Pirates of the I-Don't-Care'ibbean" at 7 p.m. May 16 and 8:30 and 11 a.m. May 18 during regular church services. All performances will be held in the Allentown Presbyterian Church sanctuary, 20 High St., Route 539, Allentown. Admission is free. Call the church office at (609) 259-7289.

Women's group invites residents to sidewalk sale

05/15/2008

TheWomen's Association of Allentown will be offering Super 50/50 raffle tickets and afghans at the townwide street sale in Allentown on May 17-18. Stop by 13 S Main Street to contribute to the local organization that supports the Allentown community. Afghans are available in forest green and cranberry.

Allentown businesses will host community yard sale

05/15/2008

The Allentown Business Community Association (ABCA) is sponsoring a community wide yard and sidewalk sale starting at 9 a.m. May 17 and 18. ABCA will provide posters, fliers and advertising for the event.

Random drug testing is just not right

05/15/2008

Iwas surprised when I heard that my son spoke at the Allentown High School April 29 Random Drug Testing Forum. He is graduating this year. I asked him, "Why do you care?" His response, "Because it's not right!" He left me speechless. If you think about it, he is right. All these years of schooling about our rights as citizens has taught him so.

Brendan Byrne State Park should stay open

05/15/2008

The 36,000-acre Brendan Byrne State Forest (formerly know as Lebanon State Forest), located in Ocean and Burlington counties, is an outdoor enthusiast's haven. This state park is also on the list of nine New Jersey parks to be closed by the governor July 1 to save the state money.

Going green protects people, results in energy savings

05/15/2008

The "green" momentum is growing in the Garden State and throughout the nation; however, local governments and some developers are hesitant to embrace "green" strategies because of concerns over cost and the process of implementation. There is also fear that "going green" involves impractical, onerous and exotic programs.

Don't pit affordable housing against the environment

05/15/2008

Everyone knows it's expensive to live inNew Jersey. Formore than 20 years, our state has been trying to provide affordable housing. Unfortunately, new rules put out by New Jersey's Council on Affordable Housing will pit housing needs against clean water, open space and other environmental quality needs of our citizens.

Writer backs Frascella in U.F.

05/15/2008

Iamwriting in support of Dr. Robert Frascella's candidacy for Upper Freehold Township Committee. Over the last four years, I've had the opportunity to know Bob as a patient, neighbor and friend.

Red State/Blue State

DAVE SIMPSON & GREG BEAN — 05/15/2008

A political discussion between Red State conservative Dave Simpson - a former reporter, editor, publisher and columnist - and Greg Bean, Blue Stater and executive editor of GreaterMedia Newspapers. Let us know what you think.

Coda

GREG BEAN — 05/15/2008

When some people get tomy age and tap their memory banks, they say they often associate important events in their lives with songs.

Juliette L. Narunsky

05/15/2008

Mrs. Narunsky, 89, a resident of Manalapan since 1953, died May 8, 2008, at the Victoria House, Matawan. A civilian employee of Earle Naval Weapons Station during World War II, she and her husband owned Hamilton Pharmacy, Englishtown, for over 20 years. Mrs. Narunsky was also a bookkeeper for Hargil Plumbing Supply in Freehold, retiring 20 years ago.

Haydee Soto

05/15/2008

Mrs. Soto, 61, of Jackson, died May 1, 2008, at home. She is survived by her husband, Wenceslao Soto Jr.; three sons, Luis, Moises and Angel; five daughters, Elizabeth, Isabel, MaryBeth, Kutura and Nicole; a brother, Luis; 12 sisters, Idis, Maria Isabel, Ester, Carmen, Ada, Carmen Margarita, Elida, Wanda, Brenda, Daisy, Noemi and Jackie; and 11 grandchildren.

Cirino Pietrabella

05/15/2008

Cirino Pietrabella, 93, ofWest Chester, Pa., diedMay 5, 2008, at BrynMawr Hospital, Bryn Mawr, Pa. Born in San Fratello, Sicily, he had resided in the Perrineville section of Millstone before moving toWest Chester in 2007.

School board meets with drug-testing company rep.

BY JENNIFER KOHLHEPP Staff Writer — 05/15/2008

ALLENTOWN - A drug-testing company representative fromOhio is the latest to weigh in on the random drug-testing issue in the local school district. Sport Safe, a for-profit company founded in 1996, helps schools collect and analyze student urine samples. Currently, the company has 45 clients and is seeking to do business with the Upper Freehold Regional School District.

UFRSD Board of Ed. considers going paperless

BY JENNIFER KOHLHEPP Staff Writer — 05/15/2008

ALLENTOWN- Theworkwill still get done even if there is less paper involved. In an effort to cut down on the use of paper and costs, the Upper Freehold Regional Board of Educationwants to try to go paperless, meaning most information the administration distributes to the board would be done so via secureWeb sites and email addresses.

A'town girls track and field team anticipates sectional meet

BY DOUG McKENZIE Staff Writer — 05/15/2008

They say you should not judge a book by its cover. In sports, you should not judge a team by its record. A case in point - the 4-4 Allentown High School girls track and field team. While the Lady Redbirds may be a .500 team on paper, they have certainly performed more like one of the better teams in what is a talent-rich Colonial Valley Conference this season.

BCC plays today in national tournament

BY TIM MORRIS Staff Writer — 05/15/2008

Bo Scannapieco knows a little something about the National Junior College Athletic Association Softball National Championship. Scannapieco is bringing Brookdale Community College to the national tournament for the 13th time. With two national championships on his résumé, he knows what his club is up against this week and believes they can handle it.

Radio veteran named market manager

05/15/2008

Greater Media Inc., Braintree, Mass., announced that John F. Gallagher, a New Jersey native, has been named market manager of its Detroit-based radio properties, including WRIF-FM, WCSX-FM and WMGC-FM. The 23-year radio veteran most recently served as the vice president/market manager of ABC Radio/890 WLS in Chicago.