The BERKELEY Times Vol. 31 - No. 41
In This Week’s Edition
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Seaside Park Families Hunt For Spring Fun Annexes Section Of Berkeley
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Government Page 7
Community News Pages 8-11
Dr. Izzy’s Sound News Page 14
Inside The Law Page 17
April 4, 2026
Photos by Chris Lundy Easter egg hunts were split up by age and ability level. By Chris Lundy BERKELEY – When thousands of people show up for your egg hunt, you better have a lot of eggs. That was certainly the case when families filled Veterans Park in Bayville for Spring In The Park. It wasn’t just an Easter event, although there were pictures with the bunny and egg hunts split into levels by age brackets and for those with special needs. In true New Jersey fashion, the weather had gone from short-sleeves temperatures to windy storm in the days before, leaving the afternoon in the chilly 40s. This didn’t deter the crowd as they hustled to the park and took turns grabbing the eggs. This was the
Meals On Wheels Celebrated
By Chris Lundy BERKELEY – During a recent Township Council meeting, the governing body presented a proclamation to Meals on Wheels of Ocean County. They served 286,000 meals in Photo by Chris Lundy the county last year, said Heather Members of the governing body pres- deJong, director of advancement ent a proclamation honoring Meals on and engagement for Meals on Wheels of Ocean County, represented by Wheels of Ocean County. BerkeHeather deJong, the organization’s di- ley was the town with the second rector of advancement and engagement. (Meals On Wheels - See Page 5)
Antonina Krisak, 4, of Little Egg Harbor gets her face painted as her sister Ronnie, 3, waits for her turn. activity that kicked off the event. So, when this was done, they made their way out, passing by a few dozen booths. These offered crafts, jewelry, home décor and more. Some of them were run by local organizations. For example, a Girl Scout troop was selling cookies. Veterans Park events – such as the summer (Spring Fun - See Page 5)
By Chris Lundy BERKELEY – Half a century of fighting came to a close when the Borough Council of Seaside Park voted to annex 168 acres of Berkeley Township. This section, South Seaside Park, is between Seaside Park and Island Beach State Park. About 15 years ago, SSP resident Don Whiteman began the fight in earnest to leave Berkeley. This was the same fight his father led in the 1970s. More than 100 years ago, Berkeley, Toms River, Seaside Park and their neighbors were all part of the same town. They all eventually split, leaving weird borders, such as a section of Berkeley on the barrier island. Residents said they were Berkeley residents only in where they sent their taxes, feeling more akin to their neighbors. They said they didn’t want to travel miles and miles to get township business done, and felt that the town didn’t provide the resources to their distant stepchildren despite the amount of taxes that the shore homeowners pay. Whiteman and other petitioners made their case before the Berkeley Planning Board over the course of years, which ultimately recommended that SSP not leave. This went to the courts, which said they could leave. Now, they just needed Seaside Park to take them in. When Whiteman’s father successfully de-annexed from Berkeley during his struggle that (Seaside Park - See Page 6)
Ceremony Repeats Long-Overdue Welcome Home For Vietnam Vets
By Stephanie Faughnan BARNEGAT – For years, Thy Cavagnano has stood before Vietnam veterans with a message rooted in gratitude. A Vietnam refugee, she has long credited those who served with making her life in the United States possible. But for Thy, showing appreciation is only part of the mission. Thy regularly visits local schools, tailoring presentations for younger children and older students alike. She speaks about the Vietnam War, as well as what happened after. Many of those who served returned home without recognition, without gratitude, and in
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