TheTOMS RIVER Times Vol. 20 - No. 24
In This Week’s Edition
BREAKING NEWS @
jerseyshoreonline.com
Community News Pages 10-14
Dr. Izzy’s Sound News Page 20
Inside The Law Page 26
Classifieds Pages 25
MICROMEDIA PUBLICATIONS
JERSEYSHOREONLINE.COM
October 19, 2024
Italian Heritage Celebrated At Columbus Day Festival And Parade
Runaway Youth May Find New Home
By Bob Vosseller OCEAN COUNTY– It was a weekend of Italian pride! Several Seaside Heights streets showcased the sounds, scents and excitement of Italy as one of Ocean County’s most treasured fall festivals returned. For three days the Borough played host to this special ethnic event that included the 33rd annual Photo by Bob Vosseller Ocean County Columbus The group Cantori Popolari Delle Isole Eolie gather at the Our Lady of Day Parade that enjoyed Perpetual Help Church Hall in preparation for this year’s Italian Festival perfect weather. and Ocean County Columbus Day Parade in Seaside Heights. As per tradition, the Ocean County Columbus traditional sounds and cultural heritage Grant Avenue. Day Parade Committee of the Aeolian Islands located north of Bianchi said, “We are staying here brought a folkloric perfor- Sicily, in southern Italy. for eight days and 99% of those mance group from Italy to The group’s music featured a blend of in my group it is their first time entertain attendees during traditional instruments, such as the tam- here, our group is 47 years old. We the weekend. They took bourine, accordion, guitar and mandolin have traveled all over the world, part during the festival along with polyphonic vocal arrange- Australia, Mexico, Russia, Poland, and also marched down ments. These songs often communicate Switzerland, Spain, Portugal and the Boulevard for the pa- tales of daily life, love, and the sea. all over. We have a school that has rade. On the morning of the parade, Band small children from four to 12 years Cantori Popolari Del- Director Giuseppe Bianchi joined fellow old and they are learning the dances le Isole Eolie originates members for some breakfast served up and music.” from the Aeolian Island, by members of the Lacey Italian-Amer- “We have whole families who are a volcanic archipelago in ican Club who provided meals for the part of the group. We have four from the Tyrrhenian Sea. Their performers at a church facility of Our one family here,” he added. “Since mission is to preserve the Lady of Perpetual Help Church at 100 (Columbus Day - See Page 4)
By Stephanie Faughnan OCEAN COUNTY - For Tiffany M. deSousa, now 40, securing a federal grant to open a youth shelter for runaway and homeless youth couldn’t be more personal. More than two decades ago, Tiffany ran away from home and credits a trusted teacher and the safe haven she found at Ocean’s Harbor House with saving her life. Now, as the founder of “Choose Love. Celebrate Life.” (CLCL) Foundation, Tiffany plans to bring that same vital resource back to Ocean and Monmouth Counties. Earlier this month, CLCL announced that it has been awarded a federal Basic Center Program (BCP) grant to provide emergency housing for local
VA Clinic To Close As New One Opens
By Chris Lundy TOMS RIVER – The Veterans Administration clinic in Toms River is set to have a grand opening soon, while the one in Brick closes its doors. The Toms River clinic’s official address is 1051 Hooper Avenue. There’s an entrance to the facility from Hooper and another entrance on Caudina Avenue, which is the back road past two banks that leads to the Seacourt Pavilion. “Patient Day One” of this building will
be October 22, said Xiomara Johnson, a Navy veteran who serves as Deputy Public Affairs Officer for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The ribbon cutting ceremony will take place in November. That exact date will be announced in the future, and is likely to have veterans, politicians, and other stakeholders invited. “The opening of the Toms River Clinic marks a significant milestone in our
VETERAN &
FIRST RESPONDER
DISCOUNTS OFFERED
(VA Clinic - See Page 4)
(Youth - See Page 5)
Photo by Stephanie Faughnan Tiffany M. deSousa expressed her excitement about opening a shelter for local runaway and homeless youth under the age of 18.
Board Of Ed Candidates Sound Off By Chris Lundy TOMS RIVER – The Board of Education has nine members and three of these spots will be on the ballot in November. School board races are supposed to be nonpartisan, so you won’t see a political party next to their name. They are allowed to have a short slogan. Each candidate was sent a shor t questionnaire by this newspaper. Their
Carmona ~ Bolen Home for Funerals, LLC Michael J. Defonzo Jr., Manager • NJ Lic #4075
responses were edited for such things as punctuation or flow. There are two, three-year seats representing Toms River on the board. Dominick Farro had originally filed to run but later withdrew. Lisa Contessa, Maria Matarazzo, Diane Oxley, and Jennifer Howe are competing for the two seats. Matarazzo and Oxley, who are running (BOE - See Page 22)
Cremation with Memorial Package $1900
Package includes: 2-Hr Memorial Visitation (during regular business hours: M-F ONLY, 9am-4pm) a complimentary Urn, removal from Hospital or Facility with-in 25 miles of Funeral Home, all Funeral Home service fees, required cremation container MCDDT-01.
Package excludes residential removal fee and Crematory charges.
TOMS RIVER • 732-349-1922 Traditional Funerals • Cremations • Memorials • Pre-Planning | www.carmonabolenfh.com WHITING • 732-350-0003