The HOWELL Times
Vol. 21 - No. 14
In This Week’s Edition
MICROMEDIA PUBLICATIONS
JERSEYSHOREONLINE.COM
Touch Mother Earth Festival Returns To Farmingdale
BREAKING NEWS @
jerseyshoreonline.com
Community News Pages 6-7
Photo by Bob Vosseller A series of Drum Circle sessions and workshops were part of the recently held Touch Mother Positive Vibe Tribe Festival held at Camp Sacajawea in Farmingdale.
Inside The Law
By Bob Vosseller FARMINGDALE – You could make seed bombs, play the drum, practice Reiki and listen to some local musicians sing during the recently held Touch Mother Earth Positive Vibe Tribe Festival. The event blended over 50 interactive workshops and activ-
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Dear Pharmacist Page 11
Classifieds Pages 13
ities such as live music, drumming and dancing, classes, outdoor yoga, plus food and artisan vendors. The three-day event was set in the forest of Monmouth County at Camp Sacajawea. The festival kicked off on a Friday evening with a drum circle around the fire, held at the Drum Camp facil-
itated by Mamoudou Konate Simbo, Mark Wood, and Clyde Williams Jr. Sat u rd ay’s st age performances included Sean Dobson, the twenty6 band, Amanda Conti, Dan Leyes and Friends, Ladell Mclin Band, Swardas and Friends, Bele Bele Rhythm featur-
ing Drumlady Kristen Arant, Tony and the Trees and the Gypsy Funk Squad. Performers on Sunday included Scott Pehnke, Dennis McDoNoUgh aka Jung Wombat s, Tom my and Mommy, Spook Handy, the Sawmill Run Old Time Band (Festival - See Page 3)
Hidden Trail Cams Show Value Of Open Space By Stephanie Faughnan HOWELL – Hidden within acres of preserved township properties, a secret army of trail cameras silently records the daily rituals of local wildlife inhabitants. With every candid shot of nature’s beauty, the trail cameras bridge the gap between the hustle and bustle of modern life and the tranquility of How-
ell’s open spaces. They serve as silent storytellers, offering a glimpse into the untamed beauty that flourishes beyond the beaten paths. In these secret snapshots, it’s clear that the animals feel safe to be their true selves, unaware of the unobtrusive lenses capturing these little moments. Deer have taken center stage, displaying their grace as they wade through water or pose stoically, undisturbed by human presence.
The hidden placement of the trail cams serves a dual purpose – shielding the equipment from potential theft and safeguarding the town’s wildlife from unwelcome intruders. “The cameras are in areas whe re op e n (Trail - See Page 5)
September 9, 2023
Howell BOE: No Changes To Transgender Policy By Alyssa Riccardi HOWELL – Members of the Howell Board of Education have decided not to make any changes at this time to the district’s policy on transgender students. The hot topic has made its way through several Monmouth County schools, as their decisions to make change have been challenged in court by the state. At the August Board of Education meeting, several concerned residents attended to express their opinion on the policy. Before the public comment portion began, Superintendent Joseph Isola voiced his support for the current policy and reassured that all students will feel comfortable and safe in school, whether the policy changes or not. “We have a commitment to making sure students are able to enter a school community that is safe, that they feel comfortable in, so that they can present for learning and we can provide an opportunity for them to reach their dreams and everything they aspire to be,” Isola said. “We believe strongly in home (and) school partnership. It is a cornerstone of success. But if we believe that partnership is fractured and a student is in harm’s way, there will be steps taken to support that child in a way that is sincere and genuine… Children will always come first.” Currently, Howell Public Schools follow the state’s transgender student guidance. The policy prohibits discrimination based on gender identity or expression. Additionally, staff members are not required to notify a student’s parent or guardian if a student changes gender identity or expression. In a recent poll from Monmouth University, three in four New Jersey adults feel middle and high schools should be required to notify parents if their child wants to be identified as a different gender. “As a school leader, it is sometimes frustrating that schools and school districts become the battle ground for political war,” Isola said. “The facts are really simple from my perspective. Our district has charged me to (Policy - See Page 2)
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