A day of remembrance and hope WWII veteran & 8-year-old pay homage to deceased veterans BY JENNIFER KOHLHEPP Staff Writer       In lonely local cemeteries, 83-year-old James V. D'Amore Sr. celebrated Memorial Day by replacing tattered American flags on veterans' graves in a state of reflection and silent prayer. The Clarksburg resident served in the U.S. Navy Sea Bees in the South Pacific during World War II... More ... Millstone Township taxpayers get a break Tax rate for municipal purposes remains stable, but surplus decreases BY JANE MEGGITT Staff Writer       Although the municipal portion of the township's tax rate is not increasing for a third consecutive year, Millstone's budget did not get unanimous approval this year. The tax rate used for municipal purposes will remain at 9 cents per $100 of assessed value, after the Township Commi... More ... Fight like a girl Girl Scout earns Silver Award organizing rape escape program BY JENNIFER KOHLHEPP Staff Writer       MILLSTONE - Sexual assault can happen anywhere, and many young girls simply don't have the basic skills it takes to overcome an aggressor. Millstone Township Girl Scout Stephanie Dreifus, 15, helped empower local young women on May 20 by organizing a self-defense program called "Fi... More ... Millstone may pass trailers on to Allentown schools BY JANE MEGGITT Staff Writer       UPPER FREEHOLD - The trailers at the Millstone Township Elementary School may move to serve students in the Upper Freehold Regional School District this year. Once the Millstone Township School District opens its new middle school on Baird Road, it will no longer need to use temporar... More ... Dreamland needs approvals from the state BY JANE MEGGITT Staff Writer       UPPER FREEHOLD - The Planning Board granted preliminary approval for a 39-lot subdivision at its May 22 meeting, but 17 of the lots also need approval from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. The lots with artesian conditions, which require approval from the state,... More ... FFA project at Indian Run never sees light of day Committeeman pitches idea for similar facility on Breza Road BY JANE MEGGITT Staff Writer       UPPER FREEHOLD - Before the school district jumps on putting an FFA facility on Breza Road, the deputy mayor wants to know what happened with a similar project at Indian Run Nursery. The National FFA Organization, commonly referred to as the FFA, was known as Future Farmers of America pr... More ... U.F. officials push for preserving land on Breza Road Landowner willing to sell property near middle school site BY JANE MEGGITT Staff Writer       UPPER FREEHOLD - The preservation of a 135-acre tract on Breza Road versus its potential as a commercial ratable was the topic of discussion at the May 17 Township Committee meeting. The tract under review is adjacent to the 118-acre parcel that voters chose in an April 17 referend... More ... Listening in on 'Big Blue' Jazz & blues, a splash of water: the annual music fest is back in town BY TOM CHESEK Correspondent       Q uickly now: What has 10 sets of ears, stays hidden away from public view and has the first word as to when summer on the Shore really gets started? If you guessed the Listening Committee of the Jersey Shore Jazz & Blues Foundation, well, you probably skipped ahead to a later poi... More ... 21st annual Red Bank Jazz & Blues Festival       Friday June 1 + 5 -10 p.m. Marina Stage 5-5:40 p.m. Youth Project (Jazz) 6-6:50 p.m. Doug Clark (Jazz) 7:10-8:10 p.m. Chuck Lambert Band (Blues) 8:30-10:00 p.m. More ... New construction to start on 140-acre Millstone tract Farm owner will not retire ability to further subdivide property BY JANE MEGGITT Staff Writer       MILLSTONE - A single-family home will be built on the 140-acre site formerly known as the Fu Sing Farm. The township's Zoning Board unanimously approved the project at its May 23 meeting. More ... Horse Park helps cancer survivors       The Jersey Classic Horse Show, scheduled for June 8, 9 and 10 at the Horse Park of New Jersey, Route 524, Upper Freehold Township, will benefit sharing Village Cancer Survivor Groups, Far Hills. Participants in sharing Village's "Driving For Surviving" pediatric oncology equestrian driv... More ... June: Survival of the fittest Gotti Kelley Green Scene       With hurricane season just around the corner (oh yes!) you need to know if your trees will be safe from the possible wrath of Mother Nature. The following suggestions from the International Society of Arboriculture, www.treesaregood. More ... Farm slates Family and Friends Day       ALLENTOWN - Bring family and friends to a day of summer fun that will benefit therapeutic riding programs for special-population riders in the area. Riding High Farm in Allentown invites everyone to its 29th annual Family and Friends Day on June 10, which will take place from noon to 4... More ... Family helps work toward a future without cancer Couple encourages support of Relay for Life on June 9-10 BY JENNIFER KOHLHEPP Staff Writer       For Alicia Harris, the Relay for Life means riding ponies, getting her face painted, running as fast as she can and getting the chance to try to stay up all night. The Harrises won't give their 8-year-old carte blanche to completely run amok at the upcoming overnight, but they will ... More ... On the march      PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE MILLSTONE TOWNSHIP HORSEMEN'S ASSOCIATION During Millstone Township's Memorial Day festivities May 28, Deputy Mayor Robert Kinsey (top photo) enjoys some downtime with Mayor Nancy Grbelja and her horse, while local military servicemen and servicewomen (top right photo)... More ... Ernst Farm helps county top 10,000-acre mark Upper Freehold has more than 7,000 acres in preservation       UPPER FREEHOLD - With 7,054 acres permanently protected, the township is the leading municipality for preserved farmland in the state. Members of the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders and state Secretary of Agriculture Charles M. Kuperus visited the Ernst Farm in Upper Free... More ... Prosecutor honored at Ellis Island       Monmouth County Prosecutor Luis A. Valentin was among 100 people honored for their outstanding contributions by the National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations (NECO) during a special awards ceremony on Ellis Island in New York Harbor May 12. More ...