By JOSEPH SAPIA Joe Villapiano liked the idea of being called an iron man. So, the 1999 graduate of Ocean Township High School, where he lettered in football, basketball and baseball, entered the Ironman Lake Placid. Held July 28 in New York’s Adirondacks region, it involved a 2.4-mile swim, 112 miles bicycling and a […]
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Former City Resident Known as Dr. Angel in Foreign Countries
By JOSEPH SAPIA Since leaving Asbury Park years ago, Dr. Joseph Agris has led an accomplished life: successful domestic plastic surgeon and “Dr. Angel” to many in foreign countries as a humanitarian. Agris, 72, has been a plastic surgeon for 40 years. About 30 years ago, Agris, who has lived in the Houston area […]
Continue readingCity AIDS Survivor Featured in Documentary
By JOSEPH SAPIA In 1986, Asbury Park’s Scott Smith was diagnosed with AIDS. Twenty-seven years later, he is going strong. “I don’t want to give up that Social Security check,” he joked. Seriously, Smith, 56, attributes his longevity with the immune system disease to having good medical care, living a healthy lifestyle and having […]
Continue readingHope Academy Charter School Receives $16,000 in Grants
By JOSEPH SAPIA ASBURY PARK – Over the last several weeks, Asbury Park’s Hope Academy Charter School has received $16,000 in grants. A $10,000 grant from the Rumson-based Mary Owen Borden Foundation will be used to buy a new server for the Grand Avenue school’s computer system. “Getting funding for equipment” — versus curriculum […]
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Waiting for Obama
By JOSEPH SAPIA ASBURY PARK – Elizabeth Burns stood on Asbury Park’s Fifth Avenue, between the railroad tracks and Main Street, an umbrella protecting her from Tuesday’s drizzle. But that was OK. “It’s not often you get the president coming,” said Burns, 56, a city resident. “This is a good thing.” A good thing […]
Continue readingClearwater Festival on the Move Again
By JOE SAPIA LONG BRANCH – With this year’s 38th annual New Jersey Friends of Clearwater Environmental Festival, there will be two big changes — location and date. After the last dozen or so years in Asbury Park, the festival — combining environmentalism, food and entertainment — is moving to Long Branch’s Great Lawn, […]
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River Row to Raise Awareness for Congenital Heart Disease
By JOE SAPIA NEPTUNE TOWNSHIP – In 2004, Jason Petillo Jr. of Neptune died at birth of congenital heart disease. “This is something close to my heart,” said his father, Jason Sr. So, Petillo Sr. organized the upcoming Shark River Row for Congenital Heart Disease Awareness. It is scheduled for June 7 at 6 […]
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