and EXPANSIVE LIVING in the desirable Allenwood section of Wall Township.

Perched on a cul-de-sac, tree-lined street- this home is nothing short of IMPRESSIVE.

Graced with custom design features including a gourmet kitchen with island,

breakfast bar overlooks the expansive family room with soaring ceilings.

IDEAL for entertaining with a butler’s pantry and graceful living spaces.

Five bedrooms including 2 FULL ENSUITES and a first-floor bedroom and full bath-perfect for guests.

The master ensuite is luxurious with a sitting room and fireplace.

Finished basement with bathroom completes the package.

Situated amongst lush landscaping with covered patio area and porch,

just a stroll to the bike path, the Allenwood General Store and minutes to beaches.

This home at 2102 Red Gate Road, Wall is listed for $1,699,000 with Stephanie Liskowitz of Keller Williams.

Call 908-720-1877 to see this gorgeous home today!

https://www.facebook.com/sliskowitz/

“Your Jersey Shore Realtor”

About the Book:

On the Jersey Shore, the Revolutionary War was more than a contest between the Continental and British armies. In this neglected region, locals divided into pro- and anti-independence camps that fought a tumultuous six-year war only intermittently tied to the larger conflict. This war brought unprecedented economic opportunity to the Jersey Shore’s formerly poor and secluded villages, as locals risked their savings on speculative salt-making ventures and risked their lives in privateer vessels.

British ships bound for New York were hunted by smaller vessels lurking in shore inlets. Local leaders sought to find and punish stealthy “London Traders” smuggling provisions behind British lines, and militia battled so-called Pine Robber gangs that frequently bested them. Richly documenting and vividly narrating these events and others, award-winning historian Michael Adelberg explores the shore’s role in America’s war for independence.

About the Author:

Michael Adelberg is the author of the award-winning The American Revolution in Monmouth County and The Razing of Tinton Falls. His essays on the American Revolution have appeared in The Journal of Military of History, The Journal of the Early Republic, The Wilson Quarterly, and other scholarly journals. Adelberg grew up in Monmouth County and spent much of his youth on the Jersey Shore. He currently lives in Virginia with his wife of thirty years (also a Jersey girl), sons, and grandsons.

Learn more about Adelberg and see notes and sources from this book at www.michaeladelberg.com.  

About Arcadia Publishing:

The History Press is an imprint of Arcadia Publishing:

Arcadia Publishing is the nation’s leading publisher of books of local nonfiction and rarely explored pockets of history. Our mission is to connect people with their past, with their communities and with one another. Arcadia has a catalog of thousands of titles exploring the story of America one city, state, or county at a time.

SPRAWLING ON A 1.4-acre lot in one of the most desirable sections of Wall Township

This IMPRESSIVE PRIVATE COMPOUND,

just minutes to beaches, features over 5800sq ft of luxury living, all NEWLY RENOVATED, and a resort-style backyard featuring a chef’s kitchen, cabanas, pergola, heated pool, and greenhouse.

Perched up on a hill amongst mature landscaping and fully gated,

this CUSTOM GEM offers expansive living spaces,

gourmet kitchen,

a master ensuite with a private solarium room,

and an additional FIRST FLOOR MASTER ENSUITE for single-floor living and

finished basement.

Guests will be greeted by an artful floating glass staircase, custom wood finishes and stunning light hardwood floors throughout.

Truly an architectural marvel to be coveted for years to come.

This home at 1903 Shadowbrook Drive, Wall, is listed for $2,349,00 with Stephanie Liskowitz of Keller Williams-

Call 908-720-1877 to see this gorgeous home today!

https://www.facebook.com/sliskowitz/

“Your Jersey Shore Realtor”

Dining as the main event

Food has always been part of the cruise experience. The question the industry is now asking is what happens when it becomes the point. Cruise lines are placing greater emphasis on the dining experience, with destination-inspired menus, port-specific drinks and more immersive, multi-course experiences. Royal Caribbean introduced the Empire Supper Club this year, pairing multi-course menus with craft cocktails and live music into a single evening.

Expedition cruising finds a new audience

Expedition cruising is one of the fastest-growing types of cruising, and major cruise lines are moving into it. These itineraries go where other ships do not. Travelers kayak among glaciers, contribute to citizen science programmes and spend time in the field with naturalists and researchers, with programming built around science and conservation rather than port stops. National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions has operated in this space for decades, with programs including the Visiting Scientist Program, the Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic Fund and the Grosvenor Teacher Fellowship.

Wellness expands across the ship

Wellness is no longer a spa deck. It is becoming a reason to book. A few years ago, a thermal suite was a selling point. Now it is closer to a baseline expectation. Meditation spaces, sleep-focused staterooms and recovery lounges are following the same trajectory. A dedicated wellness pavilion debuted at this year’s show, a signal that the category has grown large enough to need its own floor space. Cunard’s Wellness at Sea program runs across multiple days. Its three tracks (Relax, Energise and Recover) each combine fitness, spa and mindfulness elements. Shore excursions and destination-specific spa offerings carry the experience beyond the ship.

Ships as cultural hubs

Entertainment on cruise ships used to mean a stage show. Cruise lines are now producing content that doesn’t exist anywhere else. Holland America Line partnered with The Verdon Fosse Legacy to debut “Fosse and Verdon, The Duet That Changed Broadway,” a live musical and multimedia tribute to the work of Bob Fosse and Gwen Verdon. The production marks the first international staging of their work at sea. Onboard retail is moving in the same direction. More cruise lines are curating locally sourced goods and destination-specific products at port, the kind passengers could only find by actually being there.

The bigger picture

The passenger numbers tell one part of the story. What cruise lines are building inside that growth tells another. “Today’s ships offer amenities that are at least as good as, and often more comprehensive than, those in resorts and hotels,” Greaves-Gabbadon said. “A cruise can be equally enjoyable for solos, families, honeymooners, groups and adventurers, and that versatility is a large part of their appeal.” What the show floor made clear is that the industry is not waiting to be discovered. It is building toward the traveler it wants next.

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock #17938 Source: Seatrade Cruise Global

To keep your investments working consistently and efficiently for you, consider these suggestions:

Match the right investment with the right “job.” You hire an electrician to install a light fixture, you employ a plumber to clear a clogged drain, and you would not expect either one to work on the other’s project. In a way, this view of a division of labor is similar to how you might look at different investments. In general, you purchase stocks with the hope of achieving the growth necessary to help you meet long-term goals, such as a comfortable retirement. On the other hand, when you purchase certain fixed-rate investments such as certificates of deposit (CDs) or money market accounts, you know they won’t provide as much growth potential, but are available to fund a short-term goal – such as a dream vacation.

Evaluate investments’ performance relative to your goals. Some people think the only way to evaluate their investments’ performance is to track them against a well-known market index, such as the S&P 500. However, using an index as a measuring stick has some drawbacks, one of which is the lack of a personal connection to your situation. Look at it this way: In many types of organizations, you typically go through performance reviews, where your work is assessed in terms of how well it helped you move toward your goals – and you can follow the same process with your investments. Specifically, you can measure their performance by how effective they are in helping you move toward your financial objectives. For example, if you need your portfolio to provide you with a certain rate of return to meet specific retirement goals at a designated age, but you find that you are not currently on track toward meeting these goals, you may need to adjust your investment mix to potentially provide you with a higher return. Be aware, though, that seeking higher return potential will likely mean taking on more risk. You may want to consult with a financial professional to make sure you find a risk/reward ratio suitable for your goals and risk tolerance.

Look for hard-working investments. Some investments work especially hard. Some stocks, or investments containing stocks, pay dividends. Instead of taking the dividends, you can choose to reinvest them, purchasing even more shares – and increased share ownership is one key to helping build financial resources for the long term. Dividend reinvestment is typically automatic, so once you have chosen this option, there’s really no extra work on your part. (Keep in mind, though, that companies are not obligated to pay dividends, and they can be reduced or eliminated at any time.)
In the investing arena, as in many endeavors, hard work can be rewarding. So look for opportunities to keep your investments gainfully employed throughout your life.

in a quiet neighborhood yet steps to Belmar beaches, marina, and downtown.

Beautifully maintained, this RANCH-style home offers a new kitchen with white cabinets and granite countertops,

gleaming hardwood floors and sun-filled rooms.

Guests will be greeted by an open floor plan, vaulted ceilings and a 3-sided fireplace.

Ideal for entertaining with a wet bar that gracefully leads to French doors and a private deck with a hot tub.

Enjoy the day at the beach and wash away the sand in your outdoor shower.

Lovingly cared for and impeccably maintained, this home is bound to be a family destination for years to come!

This home at 1600 L Street, Belmar, is listed for $999,000 with Stephanie Liskowitz of Keller Williams-

OPEN HOUSE, Saturday, April 11 and Sunday, April 12, 1:00 – 3:00 pm

Call 908-720-1877 to see this gorgeous home today!

https://www.facebook.com/sliskowitz/

“Your Jersey Shore Realtor”

1. Local Character and Prosperity
In an increasingly homogenized world, communities that preserve their one-of-a-kind businesses and distinctive character have an economic advantage.
2. Community Well-Being
Locally owned businesses build strong communities by sustaining vibrant town centers, linking neighbors in a web of economic and social relationships, and contributing to local causes.
3. Local Decision-Making
Local ownership ensures that important decisions are made locally by people who live in the community and who will feel the impacts of those decisions.
4. Keeping Dollars in the Local Economy
Compared to chain stores, locally owned businesses recycle a much larger share of their revenue back into the local economy, enriching the whole community.
5. Job and Wages
Locally owned businesses create more jobs locally and, in some sectors, provide better wages and benefits than chains do.

6. Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship fuels America’s economic innovation and prosperity, and serves as a key means for families to move out of low-wage jobs and into the middle class.
7. Public Benefits and Costs
Local stores in town centers require comparatively little infrastructure and make more efficient use of public services relative to big box stores and strip shopping malls.
8. Environmental Sustainability
Local stores help to sustain vibrant, compact, walkable town centers-which in turn are essential to reducing sprawl, automobile use, habitat loss, and air and water pollution.
9. Competition
A marketplace of tens of thousands of small businesses is the best way to ensure innovation and low prices over the long-term.
10. Product Diversity
A multitude of small businesses, each selecting products based, not on a national sales plan, but on their own interests and the needs of their local customers, guarantees a much broader range of product choices.

First activated in 1943 at the height of World War II, the Naval installation has been a strong though silent force in both peace and wartime, a quiet neighbor, a comparatively small installation with its approximate 12,000 acres spanning the woodland in Colts Neck and connected by rail and road to the equally spectacular beauty of the waterfront in Leonardo. With the inclusion of the road and rail, the installation has a presence in five municipalities: Middletown, Colts Neck, Howell, Wall Township and Tinton Falls.

In actuality, it was the Army that first thought the location would be perfect for the protection of New York. Long before the start of WW II, both Army and Navy officers knew there should be a base somewhere in the port of New York area, an area close to roads and rail where the military could spring into action as needed. The Army’s first choices were the Port Monmouth and Spermaceti Cove areas, compliments, they felt, to the activity at Fort Hancock on Sandy Hook.

But the Navy was looking for more than a fortress for New York. The Navy also wanted a secure site to load and unload ammunition close to New York, which it strongly felt was necessary to maintain the nation’s security. Further, they needed a place to securely store the ammunition when not aboard ships heading to war. They opted not to disrupt the residential area of Port Monmouth and looked further east towards Leonardo, where there was more open land and fewer residential areas to disrupt. Sighting what they termed “swamp and jungle” in the sparsely uninhabited Colts Neck area, government engineers agreed an ammunition depot could be secure in Colts Neck and could be connected to the waterfront capable of handling Naval ships in Leonardo by road and rail.

And thus, Earle Ammunition Depot, named for Ralph Earle, a Naval Academy graduate of 1896 and Chief of Ordnance during World War I was born.

Mission of the Depot, the second military installation in Monmouth County, was, and remains, to support all the operations conducted by the Department of Défense through the Navy. As such it is responsible for storing, repairing, developing and maintaining some of the most advanced weapons used by the US Navy troops, making it an essential base.
At the waterfront, its three-pronged pier, the longest such pier in the known world, stretches 2.2 miles into Sandy Hook Bay, with 2.9 miles of pier and trestle surface.

Throughout its years spanning two centuries, NWS Earle continued to develop after World War II, keeping pace with the Navy’s changing needs. In 1974, the name was officially changed to Naval Weapons Station Earle, still honoring the World War I hero of the 20th century. It continues its mission to provide Fleet operational services and infrastructure management to support Combat Logistics Force homeporting, ordnance functions, and tenant activities in the execution of the National Military Strategy.

When under the command of Capt. Pierre A. Fuller of Jacksonville, Fla, NWS Earle abandoned a potential plan to rent housing to civilians on the Colts Neck facility, bowing instead to the opinions of local legislators and residents who prefer to see this historic site continue its role as a piece of history, a defense in the present, and a future remaining an active weapons site and depot for the nation’s protection.

Presently. Captain Kent D. Smith is the Commanding Officer of NWS Earle. Captain Smith, a native of Council Bluffs, Iowa, assumed command of Naval Weapons Station Earle in April of 2023.

https://www.cnic.navy.mil/regions/cnrma/installations/nws_earle.html

As a graduate of FIT in Manhattan, Kate pursued a career in advertising / graphic design and soon decided that she’d like to do her own designing outside of work. Her workshops entail drawing and coloring your own images, where each one has a different theme. The one I went to involved a November theme where you draw autumn-related pictures.

Afterwards, I was fortunate enough to sit down with Kate for a while to interview her and get to know her a bit. It was interesting what she had to say.

Me: “So when did you recognize your talent and love for art?”

Kate: “Believe it or not, it all began with Charlie Brown cartoons. I used to love drawing Snoopy as a kid. I also took a bunch of art classes in high school and college, but the idea for this sketchbook workshop didn’t really hit me till I went away on a meditation retreat in Hawaii last year. I just loved the whole community of it and how it brought people together, and it motivated me to try and host my own back home.”

Me: “What medium do you like and use the most, and why?”

Kate: “I’d probably have to say a little bit of everything. I like doodling, collaging pictures from magazines, and adult coloring books too sometimes. But my favorite is definitely sketching. I just like to draw.”

Me: “What do you find to be the easiest and hardest thing about your process in creating your art?”

Kate: “Well, the easiest would be coming up with a concept for a drawing once I have a set theme. As for the hardest, that would be starting these events and putting everything into place. Thinking of themes is tough because I don’t want to repeat the same thing twice, but I also want people to feel excited from hearing the ideas I have.”

Me: “What other artists do you admire the most and why?”

Kate: “First and foremost, that would have to be Charles M. Schulz, the creator of Charlie Brown and Snoopy. I’m also a big fan of Keith Haring, who was known for his colorful and cartoony street paintings.”

Me: “How do you get your ideas, and what’s in the future for you with your art?”

Kate: “A lot of my ideas are inspired by the seasons and the changing weather, along with the ever-changing seasons of my life. Now that I’m in my thirties, I think of concepts and themes that most likely wouldn’t have occurred to me in my twenties. I’m also expanding my sketchbook events into Asbury Park, and would like to spread through all of Monmouth County if possible. It’s just a matter of getting permission from the managers and the owners.”

Me: “Can you share a memorable experience you’ve had purely because you’re an artist?”

Kate: “Yeah, this event you’re sitting at. (Laughs) But a very memorable experience I had from these workshops was when a guy came in once who said he hasn’t drawn anything in over twenty years. He apparently used to be a phenomenal artist when he was younger and I don’t know what went wrong, but it blew my mind that I of all people got him into drawing again.”

On a closing note, Kate was not kidding about expanding her sketchbook community. She plans to host an event at the Asbury Book Cooperative on the last Monday of every month, along with two monthly workshops at Five Dimes. For more information, visit her Instagram page at @sketchbookclubrb 

So what happens when you Shop Local?

1. More of your money will be kept in your local economy For every $100 you spend at locally-owned businesses, $68 will stay in the community. What happens when you spend that same $100 at a national chain? Only $43 stays in the community.*

2. You embrace what makes your community unique You wouldn’t want your house to look like everyone else’s in the U.S. So why would you want your community to look that way?

3. You create local jobs Local businesses are better at creating higher-paying jobs for your neighbors. When you shop locally, you help create jobs for teachers, firemen, police officers, and many other essential professions.

4. You help the environment Buying from a locally owned business conserves energy and resources in the form of less fuel for transportation and less packaging.

5. You nurture community Local business owners know you, and you know them. Studies have shown that local businesses donate to community causes at more than twice the rate of chains.

6. You conserve your tax dollars Shopping in a local business district means less infrastructure, less maintenance, and more money available to beautify your community. Also, spending locally instead of online ensures that your sales taxes are reinvested where they belong— in your community!

7. You create more choices Locally owned businesses pick the items and products they sell based on what they know you like and want. Local businesses carry a wid­er array of unique products because they buy for their own individual markets.

8. You took advantage of their expertise You are their friends and neighbors, and locally owned businesses have a vested interest in knowing how to serve you. They’re passionate about what they do. Why not take advantage of it?

9. You invested in entrepreneurship Creativity and entrepreneurship are what the American economy is founded upon. Nurturing local business en­sures a strong community.

10. You made your community a destination The more interesting and unique you community, the more we will attract new neighbors, visitors and guests. This benefits everyone!

*Source: Civic Economics – Andersonville Study of Retail Economics.
It makes sense to keep our small towns along the shore prosperous. This is our home, we are the locals, and we need to keep our businesses alive. Why not stop at the local coffee shop, grab a cup of joe and enjoy the stroll on your favorite Main Street?