The
SOUTHERN OCEAN Times Vol. 11 - No. 41
In This Week’s Edition
BREAKING NEWS @
jerseyshoreonline.com
Community News Pages 8-12
Dr. Izzy’s Sound News Page 14
Inside The Law Page 17
Classifieds Page 19
JERSEYSHOREONLINE.COM
MICROMEDIA PUBLICATIONS
Meadowedge Social Club Finds New Home Amidst Initial Resistance
By Stephanie Faughnan BARNEGAT – The Meadowedge Social Club, a g roup for adults with special needs and disabilities, has relocated to a new space. The move f rom Meadowedge Park to the Barnegat Firehouse on Birdsall Street initially came with strong resistance. Transition can be difficult for anyone – and for people with special needs, change can be overwhelming. However, despite initial concerns, many of the club members had already adjusted well to the new location by its second week of operation. Laughter and lively chatter buzzed around the tables where volunteers and staff members led games for the program participants. A welcoming committee of young women from the Meadowedge Social Club stood by the kitchen, eager to
Local Church Helps Veterans Transition
Photo by Stephanie Faughnan Members of the Leisure Village West Veterans Club in Manchester provided a generous donation to Mount Zion.
Photo by Stephanie Faughnan Stacy Fahringer, who works with the Meadowedge Social Club gets a big hug from Amy Madden, one of its members. introduce themselves and offer guests refreshments. Some of the members will still need time to adjust, including one man who put on headphones to drown out the sound of talking and people playing games. He had a hard time
finding a spot in a corner of the room as the new social club meeting place is smaller and more confined. Most were all smiles and engaged in meeting up with friends they enjoyed seeing on a regular basis. The positive atmo-
sphere particularly impressed Mayor Joseph Marte, who visited along with other Township Committee members. He was so struck by the energy, that he highlighted his experience during his remarks at the (Club - See Page 4)
Relay For Life: Volunteers, Sponsors Wanted
Photo by Chris Lundy The Relay For Life has brought survivors, caretakers, and loved ones together for many years.
April 13, 2024
By Chris Lundy BERKELEY – Just like a relay race, the Berkeley-Lacey Relay For Life is making the rounds again. It will be held on June 15-16 at Veterans Park in Bayville. The goal of these participants is not to win the race, but to win the fight against cancer. According to the World Health Organization, cancer accounted for one in six deaths globally in 2020. Relays for Life raise money for the American Cancer Society to help
patients with rides to appointments, lodging for family, a hotline, and more. It’s the best way to help those struggling with the disease and fight it by researching cures. Robyn Paciulli-Griffith, Event Lead, told attendees last year that “Together we can make the biggest impact to save lives.” The event starts during the day, lasts overnight, and ends the next morning. This symbolizes the darkness that comes with a cancer diagnosis, and the (Volunteers - See Page 4)
By Stephanie Faughnan FORKED RIVER – Over a decade ago, the United Methodist Church on West Lacey Road served a different faith. The rectory next door, once a home for Catholic priests, has found a new purpose. Today, the four upstairs bedrooms have been transformed into Mount Zion, a transitional housing program for local veterans. Opened in January 2023, Mount Zion represents a joint effort between the Lacey United (Veterans - See Page 5)
Homelessness Task Force Taking Shape
By Stephanie Faughnan TOMS RIVER – The Ocean County Board of Commissioners recently appointed the first round of Ocean County Homelessness Trust Fund task force members. Government officials and representatives from five local non-profit organizations make up the first round of individuals whose first order of business will be to establish by-laws with the assistance of county counsel for approval by the Commissioner Board. The initial wave of three-year appointments to the task force includes Barbara “Bobbi Jo” Crea, Director of the Ocean County Board of (Task Force - See Page 13)
TO ADVERTISE, CALL 732-657-7344 EXT. 206