Something to that effect is how the conversation usually goes when I tell someone where I live.

I wanted to learn more of the beautiful area’s history and story, so I went right to the experts at the Ocean Township Historical Museum on Deal Road and discovered a ton of fun and interesting trivia. Such as:

To read the rest of Richard Virgilio’s column get the Sept. 24 edition of The Coaster on your newsstand now.

Richard@TheBPlot.com.

A public meeting was held at the library to present the landscape plan and discuss ways to get the community involved to make it become a reality.

The meeting was attended by representatives from the Ocean Township Garden Club, Friends of the Library, Environmental Commission, and various other individuals.

“The event is intended to get people to celebrate living along Deal Lake and have other people really enjoy it as well,” said Mark Fleming, special events planner for the Friends of Deal Lake.

Residents, particularly in the Wanamassa, Interlaken and Asbury Park areas, are urged to host backyard parties and place lights along the lake with a suggested $20 donation to attend.

In Ocean Township, Superintendent Thomas Pagano said his office had received 50 or 60 phone calls from parents who objected to the speech and said they would keep their children home if the school chose to air it.

“I would call it a firestorm of protest. I have never seen anything like it,” Pagano said.

“I am quite proud about Scott’s election. Maybe he saw something I might have done during my years in politics that inspired him. It’s a good way to serve your community and I am very proud he is doing it,” the mayor said.

Scott was elected to the Tinton Falls council in May and will serve a four-year term while the elder Larkin has been serving since 1991.

A Poker Run is an event organized for motorcycle riders that is linked to a charitable event.

Riders collect poker cards at pre-determined stops along the route, and the participant with the highest poker hand wins a $500 prize.

“I think it will enhance the learning experience for all of our students,” Pagano said.

Enrollment in Ocean Township schools appears to have remained steady from last year, the superintendent said, but central office will have a more definitive number after a two-week tally is conducted. The district added only 10 new staff members over the summer, which Pagano said is in a lean hiring period after experiencing major turnover over the last few years. The district has hired as many as 56 new staff members over a summer in recent years, he said.

“Based upon feedback from residents we are now looking at traffic and drainage at the site in more detail and then, when we finish, we will make our application to the planning or zoning board,” said developer Donald Epstein.

Epstein invited about 250 residents living near the six-acre site to a special meeting to discuss the project on Aug. 12. About 50 residents attended.

This is the first time in Ocean Township’s history that such an event is taking place.

It will benefit the Township of Ocean Historical Museum which recently had the grand opening of its new location on Deal Road.

Proceeds from the festival go towards youth activities, scholarships, and other civic activities sponsored by the association. To see more photos get the Aug. 20 edition of The Coaster on your newsstand now. ]]> http://thecoaster.net/wordpress/2009/08/21/ocean-italian-festival-has-record-attendance/feed/ 0