Fire Damages Ocean Grove Tents
On Jan. 21 at 2:51 a.m. Neptune police responded to the area of New York Avenue and Mount Carmel Way in Ocean Grove for a report of an odor of smoke. Upon arrival, officers located an active fire emanating from the tent structure of 25 Front Circle. Ocean Grove Fire, Neptune Fire, Bradley Beach Fire, Neptune EMS and Neptune OEM responded and extinguished the fire. The fire damaged the following structures: 25 Front Circle (extensive), 26 Front Circle (extensive), 1 Tabernacle Way (minimal), 2 Tabernacle Way (minimal) and 1 Mt. Zion Way (minor). No one was displaced as a…
Ocean Grove Camp Meeting to Receive $1.6 Million for Boardwalk
By JOSEPH SAPIA The Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association is receiving $1.6 million in federal funds, or 90 percent of the approximately $1.8 million the association needed, to repair the boardwalk damaged in 2012 during Superstorm Sandy. Elected officials of both parties supported the Federal Emergency Management Agency coming through on this project. “I’m thankful that the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association is receiving this grant, as it completes a journey that took over two years,” said state Senator Jennifer Beck, R-Monmouth County. “This is a huge victory for not only Ocean Grove, the Camp Meeting Association, but also…
Town Talk
///Get your jingle on at the Christmas Party Sat., Dec. 20 at the Sudsy Mug on Sixth Avenue in Neptune. The festivities begin at 8:30 p.m.with food, fun and karaoke. /// The Neptune City tree lighting will be held on Fri, Dec. 12 at 6 p.m. followed by the 12th children’s Holiday Party at 6:30 p.m. at the Neptune City Community Center. Light refreshments will be served. The Police Department and First Aid Squad as well as the Borough Council will be there to celebrate. /// Jersey Shore Writers present a program to meet the authors of “Darkness Falls…
Shop Local and Often
By JOSEPH SAPIA As some stores gear up to open their doors on Thanksgiving this year, many local, small business owners in the area say they are looking forward to the weekend to Saturday which has come to be known as Small Business Saturday. Jim Carella, owner of Carella’s Art and Sole Footwear in Avon, praised the Small Business Saturday promotion, saying it is “out there for the small business industry.” “It’s really raised awareness for Main Street businesses,” said Carella, who has had his store seven years. “I think people in general, since the recession hit, turned a…
Fusion Jewelry Hosting Gallery Event and Cocktail Hour with Artist
Fusion Jewelry at 52 Main Ave in Ocean Grove will host a pop-up art gallery event with a charitable twist. On Wed., Dec. 6 Fusion will become the new home of a gallery of jewelry themed artwork by the Shrewsbury artist Lisa Ficarelli-Halpern. Fusion will also be donating 20 percent of the day’s proceeds directly to Mary’s Place by the Sea in Ocean Grove – a volunteer run home where women with cancer can go for rest and rehabilitation. Ficarelli-Halpern is a working artist and teacher. She is an adjunct professor of art at New Jersey City University and…
Mary’s Place Breaks Ground in Ocean Grove
By RICHARD VIRGILIO Mary’s Place volunteers, guests and supporters gathered Wed., Nov. 5, along with its founders, to celebrate the groundbreaking for the organization’s new larger facility on Main Avenue in Ocean Grove. “Everyone who has embraced Mary’s Place should feel proud today,” said Michele Gannon, co-founder. “Our mission has officially grown its wings. What began as a dream five years ago has become a movement of hope and encouragement for women fighting cancer.” Mary’s Place will pour the foundation for its new 10 bedroom Victorian-style retreat at 22 Main Avenue within the next few weeks. The hope is…
Neptune OKs Derelict Buildings Measure Over Some Objections
By DON STINE Over the objections of some residents, the Neptune Township Committee on Monday adopted an ordinance that will give officials a better way to deal with derelict and abandoned buildings in the township, including in historic Ocean Grove. Some residents suggested the governing body table the ordinance for more revisions. “We have to move forward or scrap the ordinance and start all over. We can always change the ordinance later,” Committeeman Randy Bishop said. Four of the five members of the governing body voted to adopt the ordinance, with Committeeman Eric Houghtaling casting the only dissenting vote.…
Wak for All Ages Raises Funds for Ocean Grove Residents
If there’s one group that have always stood by their loved ones, it’s grandmas and grandpas. On Sept. 7 people will have the opportunity to Do Something Grand for Grandparents’ Day at the 20th annual Walk for All Ages in Ocean Grove. National Grandparents’ Day directly relates to the United Methodist Homes’ focus on seniors. The intergenerational charity event benefits the Fellowship Fund, a financial safety net for the United Methodist Homes’ residents. Walk registration runs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Francis Asbury Manor located at 70 Stockton Avenue in Ocean Grove. The 107.1FM radio van will…
Ocean Grove Celebrating 145th Annual Camp Meeting Week
Ocean Grove will celebrate the 145th Annual Camp Meeting Week, a Christian-oriented week of worship and recreation open to the public, beginning Sun., July 27. Sponsored by the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association, the week runs to Sunday, Aug. 3. Events are planned each day from sun-up to sundown. “One hundred forty-five years ago, Ocean Grove was founded by visionary leaders who chose this beautiful seaside setting to create a Christian community committed to providing opportunities for spiritual birth, growth and renewal,” said association President Dale C. Whilden. “Today, we stand on that same shore to celebrate that wonderful…
Camp Meeting Has No Plans to Acquire Arts Center
By DON STINE The Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association has no plans to acquire the Jersey Shore Arts Center, formerly the old Neptune High School, an association official said earlier this week. J.P. Gradone, Chief Operating Officer for the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association (OGCMA), said that a May 29 letter set to the Arts Center “caught me completely by surprise.” “The issue of ever acquiring the arts center was never discussed by the OGCMA. We have no desire to take over that building,” he said. Gradone said that the OGCMA’s properties committee gave their attorney, Edward C. Eastman,…
