COLTS NECK – Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office investigators have arrested the Roman Catholic priest with a history of child molestation who became a lightening rod for controversy at St. Mary’s Parish last month.

Detectives took the Rev. Michael Fugee, 52, of St. Antonius Parish in Newark, into custody on Monday, May 21, and charged him with seven counts of contempt of a judicial order, categorized as fourth degree crimes, according to the prosecutor’s office.

Fugee, who was assigned to the Newark archdiocese, was charged and indicted more than a decade ago with inappropriately touching a boy when he was with a Bergen County parish. The charge resulted in a conviction, which subsequently was overturned on a procedural matter. Instead of retrying the case, the prosecutor and Fugee reached an agreement that the priest would undergo counseling and be permitted limited ministry work, but would be prohibited from unsupervised contact with minors.

Recently, it was discovered that Fugee participated in a St. Mary’s Parish youth program and accompanied group members to youth retreats that involved him hearing confessions from minors. That caused a public outcry, and ultimately led to the ouster of the parish pastor, the Rev. Thomas J. Triggs and the resignation of two parish youth ministers earlier this month.

Fugee offered his resignation from the Newark Chancery, which was accepted by Archbishop John J. Meyers. With his resignation, Fugee is prohibited from conducting any clergy duties, but technically remains a priest until the resignation is officially accepted by the Vatican, according to an archdiocese spokesman.

Two St. Mary’s retreats, held at Kateri Environmental Center, 160 Conover Road in the Wickatunk section of Marlboro, were two of seven instances of Fugee allegedly participating in parish youth activities, in possible violation of the court order and agreement, authorities said.

The other events were held in Mount Arlington, Rochelle Park and Paramus, according to the prosecutor’s office.

The investigation is continuing, authorities said.

A Superior Court judge set Fugee’s bail on Monday at $25,000, with the option of posting 10 percent, but with the condition of surrendering his passport, law enforcement authorities said. Fugee was remanded to the Bergen County jail in lieu of bail and was expected to appear in court Tuesday.

Foillowing Fugee’s arrest, the Archdiocese of Newark issued a statement that said in part: “We take these allegations seriously and will cooperate fully with law enforcement in its investigation.”

The Diocese of Trenton has announced Triggs would be on sabbatical until next Jan. 1.

Diocese of Trenton Bishop David M. O’Connell has named the Rev. Jeffrey E. Lee as the parish’s new pastor, effective immediately. Lee is also pastor of Our Lady of the Angels Parish, Trenton, and will continue there as well until June 29.

Fashion: Jewelry reflects fashion. Some of us are slaves and some are ignorant or repulsed by that particular “F” word.

I’ve seen what was considered to be a commercial quality of diamonds, historically used for industrial purposes because they are brown or black, become the “hottest” thing after the designers decided to feature the quality in their designs – thus making them fashionable!

Obscure gems or off-color gems are given exotic names and suddenly they become the thing! I have been a gemologist for many years now and I am always fascinated by the names of stones that some folks come into the store looking for. You want a what? Often the gemstone of a less saturated color or cloudy appearance can suddenly become appealing when it has a name like King Henry Sapphire (whatever that is)!

I think that somewhere between slave and ignorance is where I like to be. It’s good to see what’s new or old; new materials are being used and “discovered” by our designers (including me)! I like being creative, so that works for me. Now with the raw metal prices going through the roof, all of the jewelry designers are challenged to find ways of producing beautiful, fashionable, timely and innovative jewelry in an affordable range.

We use lots of combinations now with gold combined with silver, copper, brass and base metals. In case you haven’t noticed, even costume jewelry, containing no precious stones or metals, can be pricey. Bottom line: keep it fresh and feisty! And, as far as the Fall Fashion Forecast is concerned, look for bold statement pieces – more yellow gold and warmer fall colors.

Fun: Even if the jewelry piece is for something serious, like your engagement, it should still be fun. It should make you smile. It should be the reward at the end of the trip. Jewelry is mostly emotion so why not make that emotion fun? I love the scene in the movie Stepmom where Ed Harris’s character has the engagement ring connected to a string that slides onto Julia Roberts’ finger. I know it’s a movie but her smile is great. I know of another creative proposal idea by a young man who purchased a lovely diamond ring from me many years ago. He created an elaborate scavenger hunt for his soon-to-be fiancé to find her ring. Since she was a participant in the design of the ring and it was not a surprise, he wanted the actual receiving of it to be fun. It was! She had to get through at least a dozen clues with a car ride and awkward situations. She was “led” right back to her own freezer where the “ice” was in the ice! Like I said – fun!

Fallback: Every woman needs a fallback necklace. It’s that comfortable, go with everything, go anywhere, last forever and looking fabulous staple piece of jewelry! It will mean making an investment (spending some money) but the return is fabulous forever. I have a client who has been coming into my store for at least 25-plus years now. She bought one of these necklaces from me a long time ago and I remember her commenting that it was a good chunk of money then – now with the gold prices that same piece of jewelry has quadrupled in value – but she had received a promotion and was going to splurge. I rarely see her without the necklace on. It still looks great. In case you were wondering, she does change her earrings and rings.

Fettuccine: A great sounding word, just rolls off the tongue! Remind me to tell you the story about the diamond ring in the fettuccine incident … it’s fascinating!

Maureen Bey is celebrating 30 years in Fair Haven as the owner of Gem of An Idea.

Maureen Bay, owner of Gem of An Idea at 740 River Road, is celebrating 30 years of being a jeweler in Fair Haven.

Martha walked into my salon a few weeks ago and said, “This nail stuff is getting so confusing. I have on LCN, should I get Color Gels instead? What about the nail lamp that the famous doctor said was harmful? Am I going to get cancer?”

To the Marthas of the world: Relax, enjoy your beautiful hands and nails and let me explain.

So what is this “LCN” sign you see hanging in the windows of so many salons? LCN stands for Light Concept Nails. This product was developed in Germany by a laboratory that makes gel resins for white dental fillings. The company changed the dental resin molecules to match those of the fingernail molecules and LCN was born. LCN caps the natural nail to add strength and LCN can also be used to sculpture length onto the nail.

The tip of the nail is usually applied with white gel to create the look of a French manicure. Last, a high gloss sealant is applied giving the LCN nail its famous non-yellowing, high gloss finish. After the application of LCN, the client can just leave – no waiting for nails to dry. Many clients describe LCN as liberating as they do not have to worry about their nails for at least two weeks. Also, with a French manicure, clients can wear anything from jeans to a sequin dress, because it goes with everything. LCN is one of the most expensive products on the market and I feel it is one of the best.

Buyers beware. Because of the popularity of LCN, there are many salons counterfeiting. The salon owners are ordering it once then putting cheap gels in the LCN containers (from who knows where?). Clients see the LCN container and think they have the real LCN product. Usually these products turn yellow after a while and do not keep that clear beautiful finish for which the LCN’S are famous.

OK, I’m going to say this again and again so get used to it and pay attention: Make sure you are going to a reputable salon where you are confident that they are doing the right thing. Remember, nails are an extension of your skin and must be treated with care. If you would like to make sure your salon is actually using LCN on your nails, you may call the LCN company and ask them if your salon purchases its products from them and when it last placed an order. The number for LCN is: 1-800-86NAILS.

As I explained in my last article, Color Gels is color that is applied to the nail and hardened under a UV nail lamp. Color Gel’s main purpose is to give clients polishes that last for an average of two weeks without chipping. Another advantage of Color Gels is that after the service is finished, the nails are dry which eliminates drying time. Color Gels cannot extend the length of the nail or give strength to the nail like the LCN product.

Now, what about this UV lamp being dangerous? This misinformation came from a report by two women who lived in Texas and who had nonmelanoma skin cancers on their hands. Most people know that Texas summers get so hot and the UV sunrays are so strong that a Texan can fry an egg on a driveway. However, this report chose to blame the cancer on the UV nail lamps and they actually compared the UV nail lamps that have only four 9-watt UV bulbs (a total of 36 watts) with tanning beds using twelve 100-watt UV bulbs (a total 1,200 watts). Do the math. That is a 1,164-watt difference!

Another thing you should realize is that one of these women had only been under the UV nail lamp eight times. You get so much more UV rays from the sun when driving with your hands on the steering wheel of your car (especially in Texas) than you will ever get from being under a lamp with four 9-watt UV bulbs for an average of 8 minutes a visit two times a month. I’m surprised that such a lame report got so much publicity. For a report to have credibility every consumer should make sure it was conducted in a controlled study. A controlled study has very strict guidelines that the researchers must abide by. That report was more of an opinion – and a poor one at that. If you are still worried after reading this, just apply sunscreen on your hands before your nail service.

I hope I cleared things up for you so that you feel comfortable knowing what service to ask for and that you now feel safe in getting that service. So call a quality salon now for your nail appointment; after all, you know you don’t feel just quite right until your nails are done.

Alana Larsen is the owner of Alana’s Salon, 731 River Road, Fair Haven.

The curly truth about curly hair is that it is beautiful and the very first step is acceptance!

Texture is in this season, so much so that our salon has begun to do texture waves. Whether it’s the sexy, beach wave or a natural tight curl, embrace your curls! Let them fall loose and free!

The trick to hair with a natural curl is to find a hairdresser that understands the wave pattern because it certainly can’t be cut like a traditional haircut. My approach to curly hair has a freestyle vibe. I like to keep a light touch with my scissors and create as much movement as I can. Always cut the hair where it lives, as we say in my salon, not disturbing the wave and removing weight in just the right place. I really have become an expert at screwing it up just right! It is also important to have your hair trimmed every four to six months. If you don’t, the dead-ends will create frizz and limp, lifeless hair.

The next important step in a healthy, natural, beautiful curl is being educated on how to maintain it. There are many methods and countless opinions but the best approach is to start with good products. Stay away from sulfites, alcohol and silicone. That seems like a lot but in this day and age, we have so much more available to us now. I prefer the Kevin Murphy line. It hits on all of the latter and has some amazing advantages, i.e. approved by PETA, uses only natural, sustainable ingredients with antioxidants, vitamins, and essential oils and so forth. One of my favorite cocktails is body guard, a hydrating lotion with UV protectant, and Hair Resort, a volumizing texture spray. This combo will not weigh down your curls or leave them with a crunchy, gel feel. It will give your curls definition and hold them in place. We also rarely scrunch curls anymore either. It’s all about the twirl set! After you apply your product, take 1-inch sections, starting from the bottom, and twirl your hair into ringlets. You can continue to apply product while you are twirling each section. And then let the hair dry naturally or if you are in a rush, use a diffuser – but use the diffuser gently! The ringlets will loosely separate on their own giving you a more natural controlled look. You always have the option to separate them even more by gently running your fingers through your hair and tousling it yourself.

Now let’s talk about shampooing your beautiful curls. Use a sulfite-free shampoo and conditioner; I am partial to KM’s Angel Wash and Rinse. It will allow the curl to be in its natural shape. But for those with thick coarse hair, try KM’s Luxury Wash and Rinse. The object is to retain moisture in your hair, keeping it hydrated and conditioned. Just a friendly reminder: try not to shampoo your hair every day!

Own your curl! It is sexy! Hair texture is the hottest trend of the moment. So go with it and find a hairdresser to help you or come in for a consultation. Don’t miss out on this season where you can really show off your curl!

As we say in my salon, Don’t be boring. It’s only hair! Until next time…

Glen Goldbaum is the owner of
Glen Goldbaum 72 at 72 Bridge Ave., and Glen Goldbaum’s Lambs & Wolves Den of Beauty, 66D Bridge Ave., both in Red Bank.

Perhaps it’s time we stop insisting that a movie adaptation be faithful to the book.

What’s wrong with directors building wildly different films on the bones of the same story? We can easily imagine the results if Picasso and Sargent chose to paint the same human being. So let’s consider the latest big screen version of The Great Gatsby in that light.

Carey Mulligan and Leonardo DiCaprio in The Great Gatsby.

This is director Baz Luhrmann’s wild-eyed take on the Jazz Age. Nick Carraway (Tobey Maguire) is writing about Jay Gatsby (Leonardo DiCaprio) – the man with improbable millions from bootlegging and crime who built his castle across the Long Island cove where his long-ago love Daisy (Carey Mulligan) now lives with her husband Tom Buchanan (Joel Edgerton). And so the tale of lost love unfolds.

The bones of the novel are still in place: Gatsby’s belief that the luxury he has created can win Daisy from Tom, his manipulation of Nick, the accident with the yellow Duesen­berg (though Fitz­gerald’s Gatsby actually drove a Rolls Royce).

It is with the parties that director Luhrmann takes leave of the book and perhaps of his senses. He sees the novel as a platform for the extraordinary excess of the ‘20s and steams full bore into overkill. The musical score, an odd mix of occasional jazz and modern hip-hop, may be overwhelming, but it does serve to link that era to our own.

As background for the relentless, alcohol-soaked parties that consume the first half of the movie, it becomes a series of unwelcome exclamation points. Carloads of uninvited guests pour themselves into the overwhelming excess of Gatsby’s landscape to drink and dance under the robotic attention of tuxedo-clad butlers.

Fitzgerald bore the burden of his lifelong inability to jettison his past as he tried to cross the cove to the world he wanted. His writing is laced with the sweet sadness of being born in St. Paul, Minn., to parents of Irish descent followed by Catholic schools – all of which would have been fine if he had chosen any college other than Princeton where the WASP culture ruled in silent arrogance during the ‘20s. He carried the tender wound of their social rejection. “Once again, I was within and without.”

Denied the acceptance he craved, Fitzgerald, in his final novel, created Jay Gatsby who claws and fights his way to Daisy by force with a fabricated past and criminal fortune.

Leonardo DiCaprio creates a thoroughly unpleasant Gatsby. Joel Edgerton’s Tom is hideously effective, and Carey Mulligan is stranded in the role of a thoroughly empty vessel. Of the time she and Gatsby had lost, “Five lost years struggled on Daisy’s lips, but all she could manage was ‘I’ve never seen such beautiful shirts.’ ” As narrator/observer Nick Carraway, Tobey Maguire seems too weak to have written the story of the life he calls “a chemical madness.”

This movie is Baz Lurhmann’s imagining of the Jazz Age as painted by Picasso, not Sargent.

Rated PG-13

Joan Ellis’ address on the Internet, which contains her review library, is JoanEllis.com.

From Friday, May 17 to Monday, May 20 in the late afternoon, those celebrating their birthdays are known as Taurus, but because they are so close to the cusp of Gemini they will have many of that sign’s traits.

This air sign is a born communicator and so they are extremely good at telling tales, writing books or traveling the world.

A Gemini is never at a loss for words, so they naturally love to talk. You can always tell a Gemini in a crowd. Just look for someone telling long and exciting tales of travel, books or love.

Gemini is known as the “Butterfly of the Zodiac” because of their ability to bounce from one situation to another. This makes them quick thinkers who become bored very easily. To have a good friend who is a Gemini you must want to hear tales or join them in their adventures.

Certainly one of the outstanding traits of a Gemini nature is their sense of humor. They find fun in almost anything and really enjoy a good laugh. And the stories they tell are often beyond description. They are certainly the best storytellers ever.

Tiny Fey the well-known television writer and star is a deluxe example of a Gemini. Her sense of comedy and writing has made her a very successful woman in the entertainment world.

People born this week: Grace Jones, May 17, 1952; Tina Fey, May 18, 1970; Malcom X, May 19, 1925; Cher, May 20, 1946; Mr. T, May 21, 1952; Apollo Anton Ohno, May 22, 1982; Douglas Fairbanks, May 23, 1883; Bob Dylan, May 24, 1941.

The next lunar eclipse will happen on Saturday, May 25, at 4 degrees of Sagittarius during the full moon. You can be sure we will start feeling the influence by midweek on Wednesday, May 22. Also, Gemini people should look for some excitement in the next month because Mars, Venus, Mercury and Jupiter will all be in Gemini offering you an open door to new and bigger opportunities.

Aries (March 21 to April 20) The lunar eclipse on May 25 offers you a golden opportunity to look around and decide on a new direction. Even if you decide to make minor changes it is an important time in your life. So look for a new direction that will allow you to take advantage of some of the talents you ignored in the past.

Taurus (April 21 to May 20) Take a good look at your present goals and see if you have them in the proper order to bring you success. It is time to collect some of your ideas and roll them out into the light. A new face in your crowd could become important in your life. So keep that in mind and be kind to everyone. It is time to let go of some past issues.

Gemini (May 21 to June 20) You want to spend more money then you have to make more. And this is the time to go after what you want. You can move slowly, but try to move in the direction you really want to go into. Just look around and decide what direction would be best for you. An old pal could help you make some moves. Just ask.

Cancer (June 21 to July 20) We are headed into a full moon period and emotions will run high. That is a wide-eyed warning to hold the emotions in check and, if you can’t, then spend some time alone. Otherwise you will once again be in the middle of a drama you don’t need. An old friend could help you stay calm now. On the face of things, you are fine.

Leo (July 21 to Aug. 20) Uranus is making great aspects to your sun offering you every chance to move yourself forward both at home and work. Get some pals together and celebrate your good fortune. If you are unaware of the good then it is time to slow down and discover what is really going on in your life. You are missing a few things.

Virgo (Aug. 21 to Sept. 20) Any frustrations you may be dealing with now will solve themselves if you just let go. Just check your attitude on a daily basis and make sure you stay positive. Don’t let anyone rain on your parade. Life will soon be better than ever and the new companion will turn up in your life.

Libra (Sept. 21 to Oct. 20) If one of your latest ideas didn’t result in the victory you expected, don’t give up. It is merely a test of patience and faith. You are well on the way to a successful venture, but only if you keep working toward that result. A good pal could be of long-lasting help to you. It is time to move forward.

Scorpio (Oct. 21 to Nov. 20) At least one of the issues you have been dealing with is coming to a close. You will be the winner. So do not feel anything but success around you. Above all, do not get caught up in your successful deals and forget the main object of all your work, which is healing your wounds. It is payoff time for you.

Sagittarius (Nov. 21 to Dec. 20) The next lunar eclipse on May 25 will be in Sagittarius and should bring you some positive relief concerning the future. The heavenly vibes are all about to bring you a great prize in the love department so don’t forget to say thank you. You are starting your new journey.

Capricorn (Dec. 21 to Jan. 20) It is the perfect time to pull your dreams together and start the big push. You are undergoing a social and financial transformation. With that idea in mind, don’t let anyone get in your way. If you do you will be one sorry Capricorn. Your life is about to turn around and pay off.

Aquarius (Jan. 21 to Feb. 20) You will have a totally new view of your long-term goals if you think of the things that happened this week. You must remember when one door closes another opens. Keep that in mind and you can expect big things to come your way. Of course you must do some of the work.

Pisces (Feb. 20 to March 21) As you become more and more creative you will find the feeling of deception will disappear. So look for new ideas and schemes that offer you an opportunity to use your talents. In that way you will use the Neptune energy in a positive and rewarding way. Stay away from losers who want to use you.

Flo Higgins is an astrologer. Her email is floh2@comcast.net.

With the Monmouth County Park System having sustained an estimated $9 million worth of damage from Super Storm Sandy, Red Bank Flavour and the Molly Pitcher Inn are eager to show their support of the non-profit organization through the “Party on the Promenade” event.

Friends of the Mon­mouth County Parks, whose initiatives and goals include the preservation of historical and natural resources, as well as access to recreational opportunities for urban youth and activities for individuals with disabilities within the community, will be in attendance.

In distinct Flavour fashion, Red Bank’s chefs, restaurateurs and proprietors, will welcome culinary enthusiasts and wine aficionados from around the state to sample the town’s unique flavors and finest cocktails, including exclusive offerings from Hendrick’s Gin. Prize giveaways and dancing will round out the affair.

Party on the Promenade will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Molly Pitcher Inn and will feature samplings from 20 Red Bank eateries. Tickets are $50 in advance and $60 at the door. A portion of proceeds from the event will benefit Monmouth County Friends of the Parks.

Additional information and tickets are available by visiting www.RedBankFlavour.com.

As a special tribute in 2013, the organizers of FilmOne­Fest are excited to award three cash prizes – 1st place will be $500; 2nd, $300; and 3rd, $200 – to filmmakers who create 1-minute films that highlight the struggles, triumphs and rebuilding efforts of the people and places impacted by Super Storm Sandy.

For too many along the shores of New Jersey, New York and Connecticut, it’s been a devastating and ongoing recovery process. We have witnessed scenes of great loss, sadness, sorrow, devastation and suffering. At the same time, we have witnessed scenes of the greatest courage, bravery, kindness, resiliency, generosity and outpourings of love and rebuilding of community.

The contest asks filmmakers, looking through their lens on the world, what stories and scenes stand out for them as acts of the best in human spirit that will serve as inspirations for years to come?

Winning films will be announced by July 1. Awards will be presented at the 5th Annual FilmOneFest on July 20.

Additional information is available at Spirit of the Shore Contest homepage.

Margaret Priestly Williams, circa 1825 (Marshall P. Blankarn Purchasing Fund and Museum Purchase, 1980).

Traveling portrait artist and New Jersey resident Micah Williams (1782-1837) was a prolific artist who has 272 known existing works. His works are represented in many major museums and are highly sought after by folk art collectors. Yet there has never been an exhibition dedicated solely to the work of Micah Williams.

The Micah Williams: Portrait Artist exhibition will be the first-ever collection of 67 of Williams’ pastel and oil portraits and, seen together, will tell a story about the new America of the 19th century. Monmouth County Historical Association has embraced Williams’ work since the 1950s when a Monmouth County resident published the first of four scholarly articles based on the museum’s collection of portraits. Now, more than 60 years later, the association still holds the largest public collection (23 works) of Micah Williams’ work.

Aaron Smock, January 1819 (Gift of Sarena V. Roome, 1957).

The festive Exhibition Preview Party is planned to take place under a tent on the grounds of the museum at 6 p.m. on Saturday evening, May 18.  A special auction of a donated Micah Williams portrait will take place at the party. The auction will be facilitated by Andrew K. Holter of Christie’s, New York, and the portrait will be auctioned with no reserve. Tickets are $125 and are available by calling 732-462-1466 ext. 20 or visiting www.monmouthhistory.org.

The community is invited to the public opening 2 to 4 p.m., Sunday, May 19 to tour the exhibition and participate in special activities under the tent. The museum curator will give tours of the exhibition. Children will have the opportunity to draw pastel portraits, have their portrait photographed in the Picture YourSelf section of the exhibition and participate in crafts and other special activities outside under the tent.

Little Girl of the Woodfield Family, circa 1830 (Gift of Mrs.
J. Amory Haskell, 1941).

The Micah Williams: Portrait Artist exhibition is made possible by support from the New Jersey Historical Commission, Monmouth County Arts Council, Freehold Savings Bank, and individual contributors.  A color catalogue for the exhibition will be available for purchase – $45 and $40 for association members – beginning at the Exhibition Preview Party on May 18.

Monmouth County Historical Association is a private nonprofit organization that has been working to preserve Monmouth County history and provide educational opportunities since it was founded in 1898. The association’s museum and library is located at 70 Court Street, Freehold. Museum hours are: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday – Saturday.  The library is open Wednesday through Saturday.  For membership or admission fees and further information, please call 732-462-1466 or visit our website at www.monmouthhistory.org.