WEST LONG BRANCH – With last season on its collective mind, the Rumson-Fair Haven girls’ lacrosse team left nothing in doubt in last Friday’s Shore Conference Tournament championship game.

A year removed from being upset in the semifinal, the top-seeded Bulldogs made sure there was no surprise this time around, topping second-seeded Red Bank Catholic, 14-9, at Monmouth University.

An impressive second half during which Rumson outscored Red Bank Catholic, the defending tournament champions, 6-3, and forced the Lady Caseys to play an up-tempo pace, allowed the Lady Bulldogs to cruise to the tournament championship – its first since 2010.

“It feels super. It’s well deserved. They played awesome and they’re just a good group of kids and they deserved it,” Rumson-Fair Haven head coach Amy O’Keefe said. “Everybody just came up huge today. We knew we had to come into this game and the attack had to do their job and the defense had to do their job.”

Junior attackman Nicolette Dunphy and junior attackman Mary Scarrone each scored a team-high four goals for the Bulldogs, with both scoring three in the first half, to lead Rumson to the big win.

Junior midfielder Amanda Casten scored a game-high five goals for Red Bank Catholic – including four in the first half – to keep the Caseys close in the game.

“It feels great; I know our entire team feels awesome,” Scarrone said. “We came together and got the win for each other. We worked hard for this all season and we’re just so happy to come out with the Shore Conference.”

After Rumson jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead, the Lady Caseys fought back to tie the game on three separate occasions, but they were never able to take a lead of their own.

Red Bank Catholic tied Rumson, 2-2, behind two quick goals from Casten, and later, tied the game at 3 and 4 before the Lady Bulldogs took off on a three-goal run to take a 7-4 lead.

Even then Red Bank Catholic wouldn’t go away. Junior midfielder Grace Fallon and Casten each scored a goal late in the first half to draw the Bulldogs’ lead to 7-6 before Scarrone posted a late goal to take an 8-6 lead into halftime.

The Caseys made a bid to cut into Rumson’s lead again to open the second half, but the Bulldogs’ back-line, specifically senior goalie Maddie Mullen, stood tall. Red Bank Catholic held possession for the first 5 minutes of the second half, but it wasn’t able to produce any goals.

“The defense just knew that they couldn’t let anything in and we had to get the ball downfield,” O’Keefe said. “They just came up huge today, it’s amazing. We knew their big guns, we saw them once before in the season, and we kind of knew that they kind of look for those three girls.”

Following the Caseys failed offensive possession, Rumson took full advantage, scoring three quick goals to take an 11-6 lead.

Dunphy took a pass from Scarrone and scored on a low shot, freshman attackman Maggie Jennings scored off a quick dodge high in the box and junior midfielder Bridget Curran posted a goal off a spin-move from behind the net to put Rumson well on its way to a championship.

“Last year we lost to Manasquan before we could even make it to the final and I think that was in the back of everyone’s heads before this game,” Scarrone said. “We all wanted to come out and try to play our best to get that win, especially since they were the defending champions.”

Rumson and Red Bank Catholic split goals the rest of the way, but the five-goal lead was easily protected by the Bulldogs.

Curran finished with two goals for Rumson while senior attackman Emily Knapp, senior attackman Emily Hayes and sophomore midfielder Jillian Swikart each added a goal as well.

Aside from Casten and Fallon, sophomore attackman Emily Schissler, junior midfielder Maeve Cowley, and junior attackman Julie Anne Krasutsky each posted goals.

MIDDLETOWN – For the last three years, Middletown South’s Ryan Spillane has thrown around the words “championships” and “program” often.

So with his Eagles on the ropes – and at the verge of the end of a disappointing season – it shouldn’t come as a surprise that his players came through.

Middletown South, seeded sixth in the Central Jersey, Group III sectional tournament, erased a 1-0 deficit in the bottom of the seventh inning against 11-seeded Freehold Borough in the tournament’s first round on Monday, May 20. The Eagles, who had not won the Monmouth County Tournament or Shore Conference Tournament this season, won the game, 2-1, on a walk-off sacrifice fly off the bat of junior designated hitter Christian Penk in the bottom of the eighth inning.

“These guys have a ‘been here, done that’ kind of mentality as far as keeping their composure late in games, especially close games and this is the time of the year to do it,” Spillane said. “Hopefully, it continues. This is a real nice win, that’s a quality team, that’s a quality pitcher that we just beat. Again, we’ve got to keep it in perspective right now. This is round one of the state [playoffs] and that’s certainly not our goal to get to round two.”

Senior catcher Nick McGann drove in senior courtesy runner Michael Diorio with one out in the bottom of the seventh inning on a double to left-center field to tie the game at one. The Eagles loaded the bases in the bottom of the eighth inning on an infield single by junior center fielder Andrew Wisialko, an infield error and a walk by junior shortstop Kyle Brey.

In the next at-bat, Penk lifted a deep fly ball to center field to bring home Wisialko as the winning run.

“There’s always pressure when you get up there, but I talked to coach [Spillane] at third base and he kind of took it off right there,” Penk said.

Freehold Borough scored its lone run in top of the fourth inning when senior pitcher Perry Kulaga was called for a balk with Jason Lundy on third base. The Colonials’ dugout had been calling for a balk in the previous at-bat, and Kulaga was charged with it this time around for taking an illegal step off the rubber.

“He was a great today. He was able to keep his composure and when something went against him, he didn’t let it bother him,” Spillane said. “Being 1-0 the whole game, he could have easily imploded and he didn’t. He kept it a one-run game, he pitched great, and he threw strikes. I don’t think he walked anybody [until the eighth inning] and that’s the key, too. I’m proud of his effort and it was probably his best outing of the year.”

Kulaga allowed one run on five hits over eight innings. He struck out seven batters and walked two more in the opening round victory.

Middletown South had runners reach scoring position in four of the first six innings before breaking through in the bottom of the seventh – two outs away from the season being over.

“It feels good,” Penk said. “No one wants to get knocked out first round, so it’s definitely cool. We started picking up momentum toward the end and that’s what really carried us there.”

“Mental toughness pulled us through today and it was great to see that, especially after the last couple of games where it was lacking,” Spillane said. “I told the kids that this is the time of year where we have to step up; we’ve got to raise our level of play. I’m definitely proud of our team as a whole; I thought it was a good effort.”

OCEANPORT – The Red Bank Regional High School Sailing Team captured a state championship on Saturday, May 18. The Bucs finished with 49 points, edging out Christian Brothers Academy, which finished with 52 points at Shrewsbury Sailing and Yacht Club.

Red Bank rallied in the field after falling to fifth place after four races. Overall, the Bucs won four of the 16 races to climb back and top CBA, Princeton, and Rumson-Fair Haven.

The win capped off an impressive spring season for Red Bank, which sails in the fall and spring. After opening the season in the last week in March, the Bucs finished in third place in the New Jersey qualifier regatta for the national championship on April 13. Red Bank later finished in second place in the Connecticut state championships, falling one point behind Greenwich. With 20 open slots, and only 16 in-state schools competing, the Bucs were awarded a spot in the competition through a lottery.

Additionally, Red Bank won the girls sailing state championship on May 4. Led by senior skipper Caroline Garth, along with senior Gabi Neubelt and sophomore Dominique Nuebelt, the Bucs came out victorious in a 10-team field.

“I’m really proud of these kids and they’ve worked very hard all season for this,” Red Bank Regional coach John Garth said. “As their coach, I’m very proud to see the improvements that they have all made.”

Senior skipper Max Neubelt, who will continue his sailing career with the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (N.Y.), played a big role in the Bucs’ successes this year. Caroline Garth will continue her sailing career at the University of Pennsylvania.

The New Jersey state championships featured 23 teams, including Christian Brothers Academy and Rumson-Fair Haven. There are more than 500 sailing teams nationwide, according to coach Garth.

Red Bank has had a sailing team for seven or eight years with most of the team members starting to sail in youth programs at ages 8 or 9, Garth said.

The Bucs practiced two-to-three times each week this spring, and often competed in regattas in Toms River on the weekends.

Red Bank’s three seniors, Max Neubelt, Gabi Neubel, and Caroline Garth, have sailed together for all four years of high school competition.

“Between the girls’ state championship and the overall state championship, it’s been a very exciting year for everyone,” Garth said.

Each regatta is held using boats owned by the club sponsoring the competition. In the Connecticut state championships, the boats  were owned by the U.S. Coast Guard. Boats used on Saturday were owned by the Shrewsbury Sailing and Yacht Club.

The competitions are scored on a points system. A win equals one point; second place is two points, and so on. The team with the lowest number of points at the end of the competition wins.

SHREWSBURY – Geoffrey “Owen” Lloyd has joined Brokers 3 Realtors at 675 Broad St.

Geoffrey “Owen” Lloyd

A Monmouth County resident for 18 years, he has nine years of real estate experience. Prior to his career in real estate, Lloyd was a computer programmer and systems requirements analyst for Computer Sciences Corp. He received his MBA in management of technology from New Jersey Institute of Technology, his B.S. in business from Carnegie Mellon University and enjoys his membership in the Brookdale Concordia Chorale, Middletown.

Lloyd is fluent in French and his hobbies include traveling, skiing and classic cars.

Lloyd bases his business philosophy on putting his clients’ interests above all else as he helps guide them successfully through the buying or selling process. He thoroughly enjoys being involved in either finding the perfect home for a buyer or advising sellers on the proper way to market their home.

He can be reached at Brokers 3 Realtors at 732-741-8600 or at www.brokers3.com.

Highlands Businesses Celebrate Being ‘Stronger than the Storm’

HIGHLANDS – Despite being of one of the most devastated business districts along the Jersey Shore, the Highlands Business Partnership proved to be much “Stronger than the Storm.”

Sandy was no match for the resiliency and spirit of Highlands’ restaurants and specialty shops determined to reopen despite incredible destruction and all odds against them. The businesses will celebrate that at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 25, as Highlands officially celebrates the “Open for Business Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies.”

“Given that all of our businesses were severely damaged by Sandy, it is a real sign of their fortitude and entrepreneurial grit that they managed to open in time for the summer season,” said partnership President Carla Cefalo-Braswell. “It is truly amazing and inspiring. I am proud to be part of this Jersey strong community.”

The ribbon cutting ceremonies immediately will follow the Memorial Day parade and will celebrate some of Highlands’ restaurants and shops, including Moby’s, Bahrs Landing-

Still Standing, Lusty Lobster, Windansea, Inlet Café, Fresh Farm-to-Table Cafe, Chilangos, and Francesco’s Pizza and Italian Restaurant.

The “Stronger than the Storm” ribbon-cutting ceremonies will continue at specialty shops and eateries, including Bay Ave Bakery, the Sand Witch Shop, the Water Witch Coffee and Tea Company, In the Garden, and Kranky’s Bicycle Shop. All shops will offer Memorial Day specials.

The weekend celebration continues at the 13th Annual Seaport Craft Show from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, May 26. Admission is free and the show is located in Huddy Park at Waterwitch and Bay avenues. This year’s craft show will offer a wonderful collection of handmade crafts. Following the craft show, Danny Shields will officiate the Windansea “Stronger than the Storm” celebration at the Tiki Bar from 5 to 8 p.m. with Random Test Reggae Band, then from 8 to 11 p.m. with Brian Kirk and the Jirks from 8 to 11 p.m.

Leo and the Cervantes family is holding a three-day grand re-opening celebration from May 25-27 at Chilangos,

The Highlands Business Partnership is a nonprofit commercial alliance dedicated to fostering economic growth and the continued revitalization of Highlands.

For additional information on the partnership’s programs, visit www.highlandsnj.com or call 732-291-4713.

My Kitchen Witch Holds Show Featuring Jewelry, Paintings, Stained Glass

MONMOUTH BEACH – My Kitchen Witch café is hosting its Summer Spells Show, featuring the work of six women, mostly Jersey Shore residents, on Saturday, May 25, on the lawn of the café at 29 Broad St.

Three of the women make handmade jewelry, one creates stained glass pieces and two are painters.

Karyn Jarmer, owner and executive chef of My Kitchen Witch, says she loves helping “to bring the community together and have a meeting place where everyone can share their experiences and ideas about rebuilding. This is just one more thing we can do to help the healing process.”

The free show will run from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, May 25. Music will be provided by Derek Pierre in the morning and Crash Gordon and Deborah Dynamite in the afternoon.

Kate Grady, the show’s organizer, has been working with stained glass for 25 years. She has touched on many facets of the 10th-century industry from repairing giant cathedral windows to designing and creating unique Manhattan entrances.

Jennifer Ciraulo of Blooming Lotus Jewelry creates jewelry to inspire positivity and awareness. Ciraulo is not only a jewelry designer, but also a pediatric occupational therapist working with children with special needs. She uses her jewelry-making skills to raise awareness and money for foundations such as Autism Speaks.

Carolyn Roche creates jewelry from recycled sea glass. It is jewelry inspired by the love of the earth and its magnificent oceans and beaches.

Miss Ellie uses USA-made parts and raw materials to make limited edition jewelry. Her pieces are composed of brass filigree, silver birds, vintage vines and etched lockets, already aged and pre-tarnished. She combines rare old stock with top quality materials.

Megan Heath Gilhool is a self-taught painter who has been painting and working with colors since childhood. She has painted murals in restaurants, show houses, private homes and a public library, and is currently painting the interior of the Sea Bright bus stop.

P. (Peggy) Tyrrell Masse, a Monmouth Beach resident, is a visual artist who seeks to develop art that adds to the ambiance of one’s living space. She also encourages individuals to experience art as a means of relaxation, rejuvenation, and to delve into their innermost selves. She has developed a product called Move n Art, which brings fine art to flat-screen television.

County Online Auction Tops $2 million

FREEHOLD – The Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders announced that the spring Monmouth County surplus auction generated $95,205, bringing the combined total of the county’s online surplus property auctions to $2,017,488.

The county began conducting its surplus property auctions completely online in 2008.

Surplus property from the county’s fleet services, bridge division, buildings and grounds, park system and reclamation center plus seized and surplus property from the prosecutor’s office was sold to the highest bidders.

Generally, the county has two auctions a year – spring and fall.

The latest auction was conducted May 4 –15. As usual, vehicles made up a good share of the items that hit the auction block. Also on the auction list were office and lawn equipment, heavy construction equipment and other miscellaneous items.

Those who live in the area have undoubtedly seen pink bows, pink banners, pink cars and pink storefront windows these past few weeks. While the pink landscape is beautiful, it is also purposeful. For the past seven years, Paint the Town Pink has peppered the area in pink to remind women to put themselves on their own “to do” list and to get their annual mammogram.

Paint the Town Pink was created in 2007 because, even with all the attention on breast cancer awareness, statistics from the American Cancer Society at that time showed that only 60.2 percent of women, age 40 and older, were getting their annual mammogram in the state of New Jersey. The same study showed that only 35.7 percent of uninsured women were getting their annual mammogram.

So, why would nearly 40 percent of women in New Jersey put off getting their mammogram? Some might say they simply forgot and that they were too busy with work and family to think about themselves. Some might say it is too painful or they don’t want to know if something is wrong. And, for the uninsured or underinsured women, the barrier is even greater.

That research set the tone for Paint the Town Pink’s mission, which is to encourage women, age 40 and older, to get their annual mammogram and to raise funds to provide mammograms for uninsured or underinsured women in the community.

In the words of Fair Haven Paint the Town Pink chairperson Mary Lenskold, “You are important. People love you. People need you. It is your responsibility to get your annual mammogram.”

As a nine-year breast cancer survivor, Lenskold adds, “I think so many women avoid getting their mammogram because they don’t want to be told they have breast cancer, but I was told that and it was not the worst thing. For me it was a blessing because it was caught early and I could take care of it.”

The old adage “a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down” is at the core of Paint the Town Pink’s effort. The event aims to make a serious message fun and engaging through the participation of hundreds of local businesses and by hosting unique events. This year organizers have even added a special Meridian Mam­mo­graphy Day on June 1. The day is designed to deliver a “pinktastic” mammography experience, complete with pampering, light refreshments, music and other goodies.

Women can call 855-PINK411 to register for Meri­dian Mammography Day at the Meridian Women’s Cen­ter of their choice, or visit Paintthe TownPink.com to learn more about this event and other pink activities in the area.

No matter where and when you choose to have your mammogram – just make sure you go!

The Two River Times™ is a 2013 sponsor of Paint the Town Pink, a breast cancer awareness initiative sponsored by Meridian Health System. Additional information about Paint the Town Pink can be found at www.PainttheTownPink.com.

All Saints’ Memorial Church, locally known as the Stone Church, at 202 Navesink Ave. in the Navesink section, is hosting its neighbors, especially those displaced or affected by Sandy, at a free dinner and movie night at 6:30 p.m. Friday, May 31.

The family-friendly evening of home cooking and fellowship will offer kids a chance to play before the movie and adults to chat over dinner while learning about the many resources available through the Long-Term Recovery Group.

Contractors, legal information and other resource information will be available. For more information call 732-291-0214 or visit www.allsaintsnvavesink.org.

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“Me I Am,” a mixed-media exhibit of self-portraits by students from the Atlantic Highlands Elementary School, will hold an opening reception from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, May 31, at the Finelines building, 21 W. Lincoln Ave.

The portraits by children ages 3 to 12 will show a rich variety of themes and emotions regarding self-identity. Refreshments will be served courtesy of Zoe’s Vintage Kitchen. Exhibit will run through Friday, June 14, with hours to be announced.

FAIR HAVEN

Fair Haven First Aid Squad marked National EMS Week, May 19 to 25, by announcing new members who have recently joined the squad. Residents Ryan Corbett, Lisa Haskell, Nancy Hartman and Sherri Lambert have completed their first-responder training and are active members. Diane Feeney also has passed her first-responder exam and will be sworn in as a member of the Fair Haven Fire Department at its July meeting.

The theme for this year’s EMS Week was “EMS: One Mission, One Team.” The Fair Haven First Aid Squad responds to every fire department call as well as to emergency medical situations. The squad is an all-volunteer unit of the Fair Haven Fire Department and provides around-the-clock emergency medical services, land and water rescue, and emergency medical transportation for borough residents. In 2012, Fair Haven First Aid squad responded to 621 calls.

“National EMS Week reminds us that first-responders are the front line between local communities and area hospitals and we are proud to serve Fair Haven and our surrounding communities,” said Katy Frissora, FHFA president.

Those interested in being a first responder may email FHF Captain Trudy Wojciehowski at fhfascaptain@fhfd.org for more information.

RUMSON

Two local artists will be performing at 6 p.m. Monday, June 10, at the Oceanic Free Library, 109 Avenue of Two Rivers.

Attendees will be able to enjoy a fun evening with Carly McIlvaine and Chris York, a Rumson police officer. Mcilvanine and York will be singing and discussing their Jersey Shore inspirations and their musical techniques.

Admission is free and open to the public but due to space limitations, those planning to attend are asked to register by calling the library at 732-842-2692.

SHREWSBURY

The Shrewsbury Presby­ter­ian Church is holding its annual strawberry festival from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, June 8 at the 352 Sycamore Ave. church.

Strawberries, strawberry desserts and other baked goods will be offered for sale along with handmade crafts, garden greens, “pre-loved” purses, shoes, jewelry, hats and scarves. The proceeds from the event will go to missions.

Additional information is available by contacting the church office at 732-747-3557 or visiting www.tpcas.org.

LITTLE SILVER

The Red Bank Regional (RBR) Source Foundation will hold a barbeque fundraiser Saturday, June 1, to benefit the Riyadh’na Farrow Memorial Fund.

The event takes place from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Count Basie Field, 11 Henry St., Red Bank. The rain date is Sunday, June 2. Tickets are $10, and are available in advance or at the event.

RBR’s most difficult school year began with the sudden and shocking loss of a beloved young lady, Riyadh’na Farrow of Red Bank. Riyadh’na was a senior excited about the prospect of going to college and beginning her new life. An empty seat will be reserved for her at the RBR graduation in June.

Her school will memorialize her spirit in perpetuity with the funding of this scholarship created in her name.

The Source Foundation is a nonprofit, charitable organization. It fundraises for the RBR Source, the high school’s school-based youth services program, which has the mission: “To remove all obstacles that impede the success of young people in the community.”

The organization offers services to students and their families including individual, group and family counseling, preventative medical and dental care, academic support, scholarship opportunities and recreational and cultural events.

Additional information is available by contacting Suzanne Keller, the Source coordinator, at skeller@rbrhs.org.

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Tegan Lynch, a senior at Red Bank Regional High School, is one of three students from across the state to win a $1,000 scholar­ship offered by the New Jersey League of Municipalities.

The league, which serves municipal government interests in New Jersey, awarded the scholarships based on an essay contest, in which entrants wrote about their municipal government.

Participating towns from across the state, including Little Silver, received entries from their local students and then chose one entry to send to the league for final consideration. Little Silver chose Tegan’s essay from among several excellent Little Silver entries. The league then chose Tegan’s essay from among dozens of statewide entries.

Tegan plans to attend Fairfield University in Connecticut in the fall.

MIDDLETOWN

Monmouth County Historical Association will celebrate the birthday of King George III from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 1, at Marlpit Hall (circa 1756), 137 Kings Highway.

Within the British Empire, including the American Colonies, celebration of the King’s birthday was one of the social events of the year. Visitors can come and see how this day might have been celebrated in the home of Loyalist Edward Taylor. Historical re-enactors dressed as Edward and his wife Mary Ogborne Taylor will welcome guests.

Musical entertainment of the period, played on the harpsichord and recorder, will be presented by The Practitioners of Musick with John Burkhalter of Princeton.

Marlpit Hall was home to the prominent Loyalist Taylor family at the time of the Revolution. Many of its members were among the area’s leading politicians, farmers, merchants and landowners. Edward Taylor endured house arrest for his political position and the family lost much its fortune and influence. The house was restored, furnished and donated to Monmouth County Historical Association by Margaret Riker Haskell in 1936 when it became the first restored house museum in the region.

Light refreshments will be served and admission is free. Parking is available at the adjacent Middletown Village School.

Monmouth County Historical Association is a private nonprofit organization that has been working to preserve history and provide educational opportunities since its founding in 1898.

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The 2nd annual 5K Run to Hear race, sponsored by the Middletown Lions Club, will be held 9 a.m. Saturday, June 1, at Thompson Park, Lincroft.

The event is for every level of runners or walkers. Medals and prizes will be awarded for each age group.

A special drawing for two scholarships will be held. The top prize will be $1,500 and the second one for $500. High school or college students who have finished the run – walking or running – are eligible.

Registration will begin at 8 a.m. T-shirts will be given to preregistered participants.

The event raises money for hearing aids for the less fortunate and eye testing for elementary school-age students. The Middletown Lions have tested more than 4,000 students in the last few years at no charge to the community.

Additional information and registration are available at mlions.org/entryform.pdf.

RED BANK

The Red Bank Public Library, 84 West Front St., will host the Red Bank Chamber Ensemble when they perform in the Eisner Room at 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 12. Mem­bers of the group are Mon­mouth County high school students enrolled in the Red Bank Regional Academy of Visual and Performing Arts. Teacher Jeffrey Boga conducts the ensemble.

The concert is free and open to all; no registration is required.

The library also will host an interactive three-part education series, “Living with Alzheimer’s: For People with Alzheimer’s,” beginning Tues­day, June 11. The series is designed specifically for individuals in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease, or a related dementia, and those who support them.

Advance registration is required. Registration and additional information is available by contacting Laura Hawkins, coordinator of Early-Stage Services, Alz­heimer’s Association, Greater New Jersey Chapter, at 973-586-4300.

For more information on programs at the Red Bank Public Library, visit www. lmxac.org/redbank or call 732-842-0690.

SEA BRIGHT – After the pummeling that Super Storm Sandy inflicted on his restaurant, Anjelica’s – and the entire borough – Ray Lena put up a sign on his building that read: “No Retreat, No Surrender.”

The saying, borrowed from Bruce Springsteen’s song “No Surrender,” was sometimes tough to follow.

“Putting up the sign was easier than what we would have to do,” Lena said. “Sometimes I thought I would surrender.”

Ray Lena stands in front of his Sea Bright restaurant Anjelica’s, with his daughter Anjelica Lena, for whom the restaurant is named. They are working to repair the location, damaged by Sandy, and want to reopen as soon as possible.

But, more than half a year after the storm, Lena, and his daughter, Anjelica, are moving toward overhauling the storm-savaged Ocean Avenue building that housed his restaurant and is vowing to reopen.

“It’s a disaster,” Lena said, as he surveyed the location while contractors continue to work, gutting 1077 Ocean Ave. and installing all new equipment, and plumbing and electrical work. He has hopes of reopening by the end of June.

“It is a daunting process,” Lena said with a heavy sigh over the loud drone of a generator and equipment.

The building, which Lena owns, was flooded with more than 5 ½ feet of water from tidal surges that wreaked havoc with much of the coastal area, especially Sea Bright.

Large industrial refrigerators were swept up in the surge and washed to the back of the building, about 100 feet away, and were “floating like corks,” Lena said.

When Anjelica Lena saw the damage, she didn’t cry, because she couldn’t. “I was in shock.

“I had the biggest pit in my stomach,” she said. She wondered what to do next.

The restaurant has been – and continues to be – a big part of Angelica Lena’s life. “I grew up here,” said the 27-year-old of the 17-year-old restaurant.

She has been running the operation for some time, Ray said.

The Lenas have to replace everything in the restaurant and, basically, start from scratch. They expect to even replace the building’s façade because it bowed from the water. Ray Lena estimates that the refurbishing and reequipping of the building will cost “in the hundreds of thousands … (the) high hundreds of thousands.”

They are still waiting for insurance money – though thankfully they had flood insurance – and have been relying on loans to move forward with the work, Lena said.

They acknowledged having considered moving to another location.

“We looked at other options,” Anjelica Lena said. But “I just felt like Sea Bright was home.”

“We didn’t want the place to fade away,” Ray Lena said, operating on the theory that businesses are very much susceptible to out-of-sight, out-of-mind mentalities.

“In the end it came down to owning the building,” he noted as the tipping point for continuing the operation in Sea Bright.

Plus – they stressed – they are also staying because of their customers, who have remained fiercely loyal even during these difficult times, and for whom the Lenas and their staff have deep affection.

“We’re very close to our customers,” Ray Lena said, “and you feel a certain obligation.”

“We know most of them by name,” Anjelica Lena noted.

That is also true of their staff, they said. Many of the approximately 20 employees have worked for them for years, some since the restaurant first opened.

Ray also operates the restaurant at the Elberon Bathing Club, a members-only and members-owned beach club, on Ocean Avenue in Long Branch, which took a hit with the storm, as well. He’s in the process of getting it back up and running.

The restaurant business for Ray Lena is his second career, having previously worked as a sportswriter.

For Anjelica Lena, the restaurant is her career, her passion.

“I think it’s a demanding job. Your social life suffers and it can get chaotic,” she said. “But, it’s all worth it – especially if you own it.”

Now that the restaurant will be opening this summer, “We’re very eager and excited,” she said.

While she didn’t cry when she saw the place after Sandy, Anjelica Lena said she will “probably cry when I see everybody” when Anjelica’s reopens for business.

LITTLE SILVER – Chet and Flo Apy have shown that home is where you give your heart and your effort.

Since 1960 the Apys have called the borough – specifically their Rivers Edge Drive residence – home. But for the couple that raised three sons there, home is not just where you go after a long day of work or spend your weekends chatting with neighbors and working on the lawn. It’s a place where you dedicate your life to for the betterment of your community.

Chet and Flo Apy pause for a portrait on the patio at The Atrium at Navesink Harbor. The couple was honored in Little Silver for more than a half-century of service to the community.

“It gets to the old values,” said the 81-year-old Chet, “and it strengthens the community and that’s what’s important – your community and your family.”

While Chet and his wife Flo, 82, have decided to relocate to neighboring Red Bank, Little Silver is where they have offered their experience, time and effort on a number of fronts over the years. They have given their all to the borough and the Two River area.

Their service to the community recently was recognized by Little Silver. Mayor Robert Neff Jr. and the borough council presented a proclamation to the couple during its May 20 council meeting.

“It was our way of showing appreciation for all they’ve done,” said Neff who encouraged them “to visit often and to stay involved.”

Chet, a retired lawyer, was a Little Silver borough councilman, had served as borough attorney and won two terms in the state Assembly as a Republican in the late 1960s-early ‘70s, eventually getting reapportioned out of his seat. He was then appointed to the bench, as a judge for Worker’s Compensation Court, where he worked until retiring in 2004.

Flo was on the Little Silver Board of Education for years, serving many of them as its president, and then going on to join the Red Bank Regional Board of Education.

Raising three sons and having worked for the college entrance examination board in New York City – where they lived when the couple first married – Flo said her work in education “just seemed like a natural thing for me to do.”

Earlier in her life, Flo was active in the Civil Rights Movement during the ‘60s, working with her church and attending the Washington, D.C., march in 1963 that is remembered for Martin Luther King’s “I Had a Dream” speech.

Her involvement with civil rights was in response to the segregation she witnessed as a college student in Virginia, as well as what she saw in Monmouth County as a child and young woman, she has said.

Along with his official work, Chet later began working with other residents to lobby local officials to be more aggressive in preserving the Parker Family Home­stead, established in 1665 and deeded to the town. He felt not enough was being done for what he saw as a true historic treasure for the area.

He continues his work on the Parker board of directors and serves on the committee looking at long-range preservation.

That property, and its history, represents the history of America, as well as the Rumson peninsula, he said.

“What they (settlers) had here was all the ingredients to have a good life,” in this part of the new world, Chet said.

Rosemary Brewer, a Parker Homestead board member, said Chet’s work with the board has been invaluable. “I don’t know where we would be without him,” Brewer said.

Brewer, who is also an environmental commission member, noted Chet’s strong and vocal effort trying to prevent the approval of a large-scale senior housing development proposed for property near the train station. Apy and others opposed the project because of its size and scope on the property, much of which was deemed environmentally sensitive.

“He is outspoken, but that’s what you need. He’s not afraid to tell them what it is,” Brewer said.

“You have to be a nag, you have to persevere,” Chet recommended as a strategy.

Longtime friend, legal and political colleague John O. Bennett III said that Chet’s continuing to stay involved shouldn’t be a problem for him.

“Chet just keeps right on going,” Bennett said. “He continues in a lifetime of public service.”

Bennett, borough attorney, Monmouth County Republi­can chairman and longtime borough resident, credits the Apys for his own involvement.

With a career in the fields of politics and law, Bennett said, “My career in both respects started with the Apys.”

Flo was something of a mentor to Bennett when he first ran for elected office – the Little Silver Board of Education – when he was 27. Bennett also worked as a legislative aide for Chet during his time in the Assembly, and then went to work with Chet’s law firm, Abramoff, Apy and O’Hern, in Red Bank. Bennett called both Apy and the late Daniel J. O’Hern, the former Red Bank mayor who went on to serve on the state’s Supreme Court, “giants.”

“They were an old-time firm that knew how to practice law,” Bennett said. “They were great teachers to get me started.”

Bennett said the Apys represent “the value of public service and the rewards of public service.”

Earlier this month, the Apys moved into The Atrium at Navesink Harbor, a senior residential community in Red Bank.

Before they were born, the Apys’ parents were neighbors in Red Bank, living in what is now Les Gertrude Apart­ments on Broad Street. Chet’s family relocated to Oakes Road in Little Silver; Flo’s family moved to Glen Ridge but later returned to Red Bank.

A couple of years after they got married, they moved to a small garage apartment in Red Bank before settling in on Rivers Edge Drive.

“I’m a clamdigger,” Chet said.

“I sailed this river,” he said. “I grew up here and why would anyone want to live anywhere else?”

Flo’s assessment? “He doesn’t like change,” she said.

Chet, ever the hometown booster, noted, “You can move out of the town but you can’t leave it behind.”

FAIR HAVEN – Clemen­tine Cycling Studio is open for business in the borough.

The new workout studio opened its doors and bike seats just two months ago at 611 River Road. Rumson resident Effie Drossman co-owns the studio with husband Dave. Drossman, who formerly worked the Wall Street grind on the trading floors for more than a decade, found solace in cycling and decided to turn a passion into a pursuit.

Effie Drossman, owner of Clementine Cycling Studio.

“It’s your time, it’s your ride. Make it count,” said Drossman, who believes that in the busy daily shuffle, cycling is a great energy release and high-powered workout for the person on the go.

The space is small and sleek with 16 bikes for riders and a signature orange door to welcome customers to their vigorous spinning-class workout.

Drossman, who believes their locality is part of their appeal, is not worried about size or larger competitors. “We’ve had a really positive community response,” she said.

Nadine Wellaver, center, leads a group in the Body Spin Ride class.

Lending to the studio’s love of supporting all things local, Clementine Cycling Studio is hosting an all-day ride-a-thon Friday, May 24, to benefit Sea Bright Rising efforts to rebuild the beach town devastated by Hurri­cane Sandy. Those interested can ride for one to six hours, with a fundraising goal of $100 per rider per hour. Drossman is working with co-executive of the nonprofit, Ilene Winters, to help aid in the recovery effort.

A second cycling fundraiser event for Sea Bright Rising will take place at 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 5, for those who may have missed the May event.

As for anyone who may be weary of the traditional workout, Drossman says all are welcome, and encourages beginners to take a seat – on a bike, that is. “Come and go at your own pace. The beauty of this workout is you work as hard as you can but listen to your body. I don’t want anybody to be intimidated by the ride,” Drossman said.

For more information on Clementine Cycling Studio, please contact 732-784-7735, visit www.clementinecycling.com or contact the owner at effie@clementinecycling.com.