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®A SUPPLEMENT TO FEBRUARY 25 & 26, 2021
WWW.STARNEWSGROUP.COMPAGE 2 STAR NEWS GROUP FEBRUARY 25 & 26, 2021
Factors to considerbefore choosing a
honeymoon destination STAR NEWS GROUP
Honeymoons often mark a couples’ fi rst trip together after tying the knot. Whether couples are working with shoe-string budgets or have some financial flexibili-ty, it’s wise to consider various factors before choosing a honeymoon destination.
DISTANCEA remote, exotic is-
land might sound like the perfect place for couples to visit on their honeymoons. However, couples who spent more than a year planning their weddings may pre-fer somewhere less re-mote than an exotic isle that requires multiple fl ight transfers and pos-sibly even days of travel to get to. Couples should discuss how much trav-el they’re willing to en-dure during their hon-eymoons, and then find somewhere that both partners are excited about.
AMENITIESMany resorts o� er hon-
eymoon packages that in-clude a host of amenities, including all-inclusive food and beverage, spa access, access to water sports, and even airport pickup and dropo� . Such packages can save cou-ples substantial amounts of money, which can help those who might have spent more on their wed-dings than they initially intended.
RECREATIONCouples also may want
to consider the acces-
sibility of local recre-ational activities before choosing a honeymoon destination. Some cou-ples may just want to spend the duration of their honeymoons un-winding on a beach, while others may want to mix relaxation with exploration. All-inclusive resort packages may or may not include o� -site resort activities. Couples who want to do some ex-ploring away from their resorts should investi-gate both the accessibili-ty and safety of doing so.
BUDGETI f budgets were
stretched for the wed-ding, couples should not discount the benefi ts of planning a post-wedding weekend getaway and then saving some mon-ey for a more traditional honeymoon down the road. This option still a� ords couples a chance to spend a few post-wed-ding days away from home and can help them save for a honeymoon trip they will never for-get.
COURTESY OF METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION
Couples should consider a host of factors before choosing a honeymoon destination.
FEBRUARY 25 & 26, 2021 STAR NEWS GROUP PAGE 3WWW.STARNEWSGROUP.COM
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Precautions that can keep weddingguests safe during the pandemic
STAR NEWS GROUP
Happy couples plan-ning to tie the knot are currently confronted by a challenge they like-ly never saw coming. While many couples fear inclement weather on their wedding days, new prospective brides and grooms have to contend with something far more fearful than rain clouds.
The outbreak of the novel coronavirus that began in the winter of 2019-20 and was ulti-mately declared a pan-demic by the World Health Organization put
many couples’ wedding plans in peril.
Couples planning to tie the knot in the months ahead can still do so, but the WHO recommends they take certain precau-tions as they organize their ceremonies and re-ceptions.
CONFIRM LOCALREGULATIONS
Restrictions related to COVID-19 differ great-ly by region. Areas that were not hit hard by the virus may not have as many restrictions in place as those that were
devastated by the out-break. In addition, cities or regions whose re-sponses to the virus have been successful may have relaxed restrictions more than areas that are still struggling. The WHO notes the impor-tance of checking local guidelines prior to plan-ning an event, and that’s especially important for couples who hope to get married in towns or cit-ies where they do not currently reside.
KEEP GUESTS UP TO DATE ABOUT PRECAUTIONS
Include detailed infor-mation about the safety measures that will be implemented during the wedding on your wed-ding website. Insert a card detailing this infor-mation into your invita-tion envelopes as well so all guests know what to expect when they ac-cept the invitation. In addition, remind guests of the safety precautions throughout the ceremo-ny.
PROVIDEPROTECTIVE ITEMS
Make sure hand san-itizer, soap, water, and masks are readily avail-able for all guests. Social distance markers also can be placed on the ground throughout the venue to make it easy for guests to stay six feet apart from one another.
CHOOSE A VENUE THAT OFFERS OUTDOOR SPACEThe Centers for Dis-
ease Control and Pre-vention notes that the COVID-19 virus spreads very easily through
person-to-person con-tact and that the risk of spreading the virus is greater when spending time indoors. Couples can mitigate some of that risk by tying the knot outdoors and then host-ing an outdoor reception where tables are kept at least six feet apart.
Weddings will be dif-ferent until the world puts COVID-19 in its rearview mirror. In the meantime, it’s up to hap-py couples to keep their guests safe come the big day.
FEBRUARY 25 & 26, 2021 STAR NEWS GROUP PAGE 5WWW.STARNEWSGROUP.COM
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How to avoid wedding reception seating mistakesSTAR NEWS GROUP
Weddings are great op-portunities for people to gather and celebrate the melding of two families into one. Weddings are a melting pot, and while the ultimate goal is for all guests invited to mingle and have a good time, preexisting relationships may cause some wed-ding-day interactions to be strained. However, with careful planning and some best behavior on the parts of all involved, getting hitched can go o� without a hitch.
It’s possible for guests who may have tumul-tuous pasts to keep the peace, but this also can be ensured through care-ful seating arrangements. This is just one factor couples need to consid-er when deciding where
guests will sit and dine at receptions. It’s important to avoid some common mistakes.
MISTAKE #1Not having a seating
plan. Let guests sit where they want and chaos may ensue. People may think they’re entitled to certain seats, may hop into seats vacated by someone getting up to use the re-stroom or any number of other scenarios. Seating arrangements also en-sure everyone is account-ed for across the room.
MISTAKE #2Seating families sepa-
rately. Unless there are rifts between certain family members, it’s best to seat parents and chil-dren at the same tables.
MISTAKE #3Trying to force new
friendships. Avoid trying to figure out who will get along by creating a pot-pourri table. A cousin in a band will not necessari-ly want to sit next to your coworker who plays gui-tar simply because they have a shared love of mu-
sic. A wedding is not the time to try to create new friendships. If it’s meant to be, they’ll connect in a more organic way.
MISTAKE #4The dreaded kids’ ta-
ble. Young children can probably get away with sitting at a dedicated
kids’ table, although it may mean their parents have to interrupt their experiences by checking on their kids throughout the night. A bigger faux pas is to sit teenagers or twentysomethings at the kids table even if they seem like youngsters to you. Set a strict cut-off age for a children’s table.
MISTAKE #5Being too strict in
seating. It’s one thing to direct couples or single-tons to specific tables, quite another to assign specific seats. Do not dic-tate exactly where at the table a guest should sit. Some people arrive early, others late, and it is up to them to work out how to arrange themselves at the table.
MISTAKE #6Failing to get family
feedback. Always check with your parents and fu-ture in-laws as resources about how to seat cer-tain guests. They’ll likely know who will make the best table-mates, espe-cially if couples are not familiar with everyone on the guest list.
MISTAKE #7Not being aware of
disabilities or needs. Be conscious of guests’ needs. An elderly relative may not be comfortable in front of the DJ table. A person in a wheelchair may need easy access to and from the reception room. It’s important to be mindful of these spe-cial needs.
COURTESY OF METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION
A seating plan for wedding receptions is an important con-sideration so that every guest can feel comfortable.
WWW.STARNEWSGROUP.COMPAGE 6 STAR NEWS GROUP FEBRUARY 25 & 26, 2021
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How to handle rain on your wedding daySTAR NEWS GROUP
Brides and grooms fear the prospects of rainy wedding days. But even couples who have con-tended with everything from a few drops to an all-out deluge on their wedding days look back fondly on the ceremonies and receptions. In fact, how couples handle any precipitation can affect how happy the festivities may be.
HAVE A RAINY DAY GAME PLAN
Rain affects outdoor weddings more than any other type of ceremo-ny or reception. If the goal is to exchange vows outdoors, work with the venue to make this possi-ble with a tent or gazebo. However, if the weath-
er is especially foul and windy, move it indoors.
INVEST IN GOLF UMBRELLASCouples who live in
notoriously damp cli-mates can purchase golf umbrellas, which tend to be larger than the av-erage umbrella, and keep them stationed in deco-rated stands to ease tran-sitions between wedding sites and keep everyone as dry as possible.
WEAR WATERPROOF COSMETICS
Women in the bridal party, including the bride, can ask their makeup art-ists to use durable, water-proof products. This can help salvage beautifully composed looks should some drops begin to fall.
KNOW VENDORS’ RAIN POLICIES
Some live musicians will not play in damp weather. Florists may need to make accom-modations for arrange-
ments blowing in the wind. Couples need to understand what they’re responsible for and what may be covered if a weather event occurs. Wedding insurance may
help cover the costs of nonrefundable cancella-tions.
MOVE PASTIT QUICKLYIt is okay to get upset if
the weather turns for the
worse. But don’t dwell on it. Guests will sense negative energy, and cou-ples should set the tone of sticking it through despite a little adversity — which can be a good lesson for the marriage as well.
EMBRACE THE RAIN
While a couple prob-ably won’t wish for rain, there are some benefits to overcast skies, say the wedding profession-als at Brides magazine. Flowers are less likely to wilt in rainy conditions. In the absence of bright sunlight, outdoor pho-tographs can really pop. Rain is romantic and may compel couples and their guests to cuddle close.
COURTESY OF METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION
Don’t let rain on a wedding day become a drag. With preparation and perspective, couples can handle rainy wedding days.
FEBRUARY 25 & 26, 2021 STAR NEWS GROUP PAGE 7WWW.STARNEWSGROUP.COM
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Get schooled on wedding terminology
STAR NEWS GROUP
Couples about to em-bark on their wedding journeys will likely learn a thing or two about par-ty planning once their engagements are over and they are newly mar-ried. Wedding planning can seem overwhelming and a tad confusing at times, but a crash course in wedding terminology can help couples make more informed choices along the way.
Blusher: A short, sin-gle-layer veil that covers the bride’s face before the ceremony.
Boutonnière: A single flower bud worn by the men in the bridal party.
Canapés: Bite-sized appetizers served during the cocktail hour of a re-ception.
Civil ceremony: A mar-riage ceremony conduct-ed by a council o cial or justice of the peace at a municipal location rather than in a house of wor-ship.
Cocktail hour: Typical-ly an hour-long interlude between the wedding ceremony and the main
dinner of the reception. Guests have time to ar-rive and mingle before being seated.
Corkage fee: A fee some establishments charge to allow guests to bring their own wine.
Dais: A podium or platform raised from the floor where the bride and groom are seated.
Deposit: A percentage of the total cost of ser-vice given to a vendor to secure a date for their services.
Dragées: Round, small edible balls of sugar that appear on wedding cakes.
Escort (seating) cards: Printed cards that direct reception guests to their seats.
Fondant: A sweet, ply-able product used to dec-oratively cover layered cakes. It can be used in lieu of straight butter-cream.
Handle wrap: Rib-bon or fabric that wraps around the stems of a bouquet the bride and wedding party carries.
Maid/matron of hon-or: The title given to the
woman who assists the bride and stands clos-est to her at the altar. “Maids” are those who are unmarried, while “matrons” are women who are.
Master of ceremonies: An individual who will work with the DJ or band to announce the various components of the wed-ding reception.
Nosegay: A small bou-quet or flower arrange-ment typically given to the mothers of the bride and groom before the ceremony.
Processional/Reces-sional: Musical pieces that mark the entrance and exit from the wed-ding ceremony.
Receiving line: A line of the key people in the wedding who welcome and greet guests.
Stationery: All of the paper products used at the wedding, including invitations, programs and enclosures.
Tablescape: A word that describes the multi-ple components of cen-terpiece designs.
COURTESY OF METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION
Learning some basic wedding terminology can simplify wedding planning.
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Tips for keeping wedding guests informed
STAR NEWS GROUP
Weddings give couples an opportunity to share the joy of joining their lives together with a host of friends and family members. Guests liven up the party and help make the celebration that much more memorable.
According to The Knot 2019 Real Weddings Study, the average wed-ding in the United States hosts 131 people. Data in-dicates this number has been slowly decreasing over the years, after the average wedding size reached an all-time high of 153 in 2007. No matter how big or how small the guest list, keeping guests informed of what’s hap-pening regarding the upcoming nuptials is a courtesy couples can provide. Couples can ex-plore various avenues for keeping guests informed and ensuring they’ll be able to take part in the festivities.
SAVE-THE-DATE ANNOUNCEMENTS
Save-the-date an-nouncements have be-come an increasingly popular component of wedding planning. In-stead of waiting on the wedding invitation, which traditionally ar-rives one or two months prior to the wedding it-self, save-the-date cards provide guests with an advanced advertisement of the celebration to come. According to the photo and invitation spe-cialists at Shutterfly, it’s customary to send save-the-date notes around six months before the wed-ding. For a destination
wedding, which will re-quire extra travel plans, an eight- to 12-month ad-vance can be helpful.
Save-the-date cards generally have basic in-formation, including the wedding date and the venue. Many will feature a photo of the couple as well. If you’re planning on sending save-the-date announcements, coordi-nate with your photogra-pher to have a photo tak-en exclusively for these cards.
WEDDING WEBSITECouples are increas-
ingly embracing tech-nology as they plan their weddings. Brides maga-zine states that, during the typical 15-month engagement period, 48 percent of couples will launch a wedding web-site. A wedding website is a versatile tool that can help answer questions that guests may have. The website can spell out specifics, includ-ing dress code, whether children are invited, the names of wedding party participants, overnight accommodations, trans-portation providers, and
even restaurants near the hotel for a quick bite between ceremony and reception. Wedding web-sites also can be used as fun ways to keep guests engaged. “Throwback Thursday” photos or fun-ny memories and anec-dotes can be included.
VIDEO CONFERENCING APPSAs the world continues
to adapt in the wake of the COVID-19 pandem-ic, video conferencing applications like Face-time, Zoom and Micro-soft Teams enable people involved in the planning process to routinely “gather” and go over de-tails about the wedding, helping to limit in-per-son meetings as much as possible. These apps also can prove invaluable when conferring with wedding vendors, such as florists or musicians.
You also can schedule smaller meetings with specific guests who may be playing key roles in the wedding, such as those giving speeches, doing readings, escorting guests, or serving in oth-er capacities.
COURTESY OF METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION
Certain resources can help couples keep guests informed about what’s to come in regard to their weddings.
FEBRUARY 25 & 26, 2021 STAR NEWS GROUP PAGE 9WWW.STARNEWSGROUP.COM
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COURTESY OF METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION
Even wedding ceremonies that likely won’t run long can benefit from some pre-wedding planning.
How to plan a wedding ceremony
STAR NEWS GROUP
Months of planning is par for the course for couples about to tie the knot. Much of that planning concerns the reception, and rightful-ly so. Receptions last longer than ceremonies, and couples are often involved in every recep-tion detail, from picking the appetizers to serve during cocktail hour to choosing the final song before everyone calls it a night. But it’s equally important that couples devote considerable at-tention to their wedding ceremonies.
A wedding ceremo-ny might not last long, but it is the most crucial component of a couple’s wedding day and can even set the tone for the rest of the festivities. From choosing readings to honoring loved ones to immersing oneself in his or her faith, these tips can help couples plan their perfect ceremony.
GIVE THE CEREMONY EQUAL FOOTING WITH
THE RECEPTIONGive the ceremony
equal footing with the reception. Spend time trying to put a personal-ized spin on the proceed-ings, whether that entails writing your own vows or choosing moving mu-sic that means something to you. When given am-ple attention, seemingly minor details can make for a special, memorable ceremony.
CHOOSE A CEREMONY LOCATION CLOSE TO
RECEPTION SITEIf a ceremony will
take place in a house of worship, try to choose a reception venue close to the ceremony site. This keeps guests, some of whom may be out-of-towners who have already traveled exten-sively, from spending too much time on the road during the day of the wedding.
GET TO KNOW THE OFFICIANTThe o�ciant should be
someone with whom you
both feel comfortable. This person should know you well enough that he or she can preside over the ceremony and add sentiments that come across as authentic and personalized.
DO YOUR BEST TO AVOID LENGTHY CEREMONIES
Couples will need to meet the religious re-quirements if they are getting married in the faith, and there may be some aspects of the cer-emony that you cannot cut short or modify. But if you have wiggle room, try to keep the ceremo-ny to around 30 minutes; otherwise, you run the risk of guests getting ant-sy, especially if children are in the audience.
DECORATE THE CEREMONY SPACE
While the altar and aisle are key places to draw attention, couples also can dress up the chairs/pews, ceiling (if allowed), and entrance to the space to make it wel-coming and romantic.
WWW.STARNEWSGROUP.COMPAGE 10 STAR NEWS GROUP FEBRUARY 25 & 26, 2021
Spring Lake comes through for struggling community theater
Nearly $230,000 raised for pandemic recovery fund; still, ‘a long road ahead’
BY PATRICK REILLY
THE COAST STAR
SPRING LAKE — Following
a year in which a pandem-
ic forced it to keep its doors
closed to performers and
audiences, the Spring Lake
Community House and The-
atre is expressing its appre-
ciation for the support that
enabled it to raise more than
$200,000 to keep operating in
2021.As of this week, the theater
has raised $228,947, toward a
goal of $250,000.
“We wanted to again reach
out and thank all of our pa-
trons and donors who have
supported us in so many ways
during this di�cult year,” said
Reid Henderson, the theater’s
director of development.
“The outpouring of support
in response to our numerous
fundraising initiatives has
been uplifting and encour-
aging as we slowly work our
way through the challenges
we have faced,” he said in a
videotaped statement.
Due to COVID-19, the the-
ater, which will celebrate its
100th year in 2023, was forced
to shut its doors in March for
all of its classes and perfor-
mances. As a result of the lost
revenue, the theater strug-
gled to maintain its budget
last year, su�ering a shortfall
of more than $200,000.
The theater group turned to
the community for help, Mr.
Henderson said, and a fund-
raising effort was launched
to make up the shortfall and
develop new ways to safely
present performances.
“In August, we launched
the Spring Lake Theatre Re-
covery Fund, an ongoing
fundraising campaign to sup-
port the continued mainte-
nance and operation of the
historic Spring Lake Commu-
nity House,” Mr. Henderson
said.In September, the theater
hosted a socially distanced
outdoor performance, “Con-
cert for a Cause,” featuring its
dance troupe and show tunes.
The event, with an audience
of 200 seated at tables along
Theater group pitches plan for former Bradley Beach movie house
Former ShowRoom Cinema complex would become ‘The Bradley,’
featuring live performances, as well as major and independent films
BY MICHAEL NUNES
THE COAST STAR
BRADLEY BEACH — A group
of theater industry individ-
uals has joined to revive the
former ShowRoom Cinema
building by making it a venue
for blockbuster films, as well
as independent movies and
live performances.
Cinema Lab, a team of film
industry insiders, released
a statement Monday detail-
ing the plan for the cinema,
which closed last year due to
the economic impact of the
COVID-19 pandemic.
As envisioned by the
group, the single-screen mov-
ie house would be relaunched
as The Bradley, a multi-use
“community-based cinemat-
ic experience,” with “three
auditoriums, a large stage
for live events, an expanded
lobby with lounge space, el-
evated concessions and bar
service.”The changes would require
a number of applications
and approvals. However, the
group has hopes of opening
The Bradley this summer,
according to Cinema Lab,
which says it will also foster
strong ties with the Bradley
Beach community at large.
Mayor Larry Fox welcomed
the move, saying that “Main
Street in Bradley Beach, and
for that matter, America, has
taken some real hits with the
pandemic. Our Main Street
Task Force has already been
focused on improvements
and the potential for a profes-
sional entertainment group
for the theater couldn’t be
better news.”
The group started a Kick-
starter to raise funds to pur-
chase the shuttered theater on
Monday, with the goal of rais-
ing $50,000. There are special
perks for those who donate
to the campaign, including
merchandise, a place on The
Bradley Advocate Wall, being
invited to the cinema’s red
carpet grand opening, free
movies for the first year of the
cinema’s operation, having a
seat in the theater named af-
ter them, personal on-screen
recognition and naming
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MARK R. SULLIVAN THE COAST STAR
The Showroom Cinema on Main Street in Bradley Beach, forced out of business by the COVID-19 pandem-
ic, would be transformed into The Bradley, an entertainment complex for movies and performing arts
under a plan announced by a theater group this week.
MARK R. SULLIVAN THE COAST STAR
The Spring Lake Community House and Theatre was able to recoup a portion of the revenue lost to can-
cellations during 2020 through fundraising drives that included this outdoor performance in September.
Police chiefs encourage
officers to get COVID shots
State has extended vaccination eligibility to police and firefighters
BY MICHAEL NUNES
THE COAST STAR
MONMOUTH COUNTY — As po-
lice o�cers are now allowed
to receive their first dose of
the COVID-19 vaccine, local
police chiefs have tried to set
the example for those they
manage by getting their first
jab of the vaccine.
Since state officials an-
nounced that sworn law-en-
forcement o�cers would be
given the green light to re-
ceive the vaccine last Tues-
day, o�cers at some depart-
ments have been encouraged
to receive their first shot.
“I am highly encouraging
them to get the vaccine. It’s
really their choice; I can’t
mandate that they get it,”
Belmar Chief of Police Tina
Scott told The Coast Star on
Monday, adding that in the
past 10 months, some of the
department’s 23 o�cers had
contracted the virus and have
since recovered. Around five
o�cers have gotten their first
dose of the vaccine, others
have scheduled appointments
to receive it and some are still
debating whether or not they
will get it. Leading by example, she
said she was scheduled to
receive her first dose of the
vaccine on Tuesday.
“I feel that being in the job
that I am in, I should get it,”
she said. “If I am encouraging
the o�cers to get it, I should
get it as well.”
Chief Scott is not the only
chief of police who said they
wanted to lead by example.
Wall High School, Allenwood
Elementary go all-virtual
BY SANNE YOUNG
THE COAST STAR
WALL TOWNSHIP – Wall
High School and Allen-
wood Elementary School
will switch to all-virtual
instruction for two weeks
starting Wednesday, Jan. 13,
Superintendent Tracy R.
Handerhan announced.
“This move to an all-vir-
tual schedule is a result of
an increasing number of
students testing positive for
COVID-19. Individuals that
were deemed to have been
in close contact at school
have been contacted direct-
ly,” Ms. Handerhan stated
in an email sent Tuesday to
Allenwood parents. She did
not give numbers for how
many students tested pos-
itive or how many were in
close contact.
“Principal [Erin] O’Con-
nell will communicate de-
tails related to scheduling
and instruction directly
with Allenwood families,”
she added. Ms. Handerhan an-
nounced Tuesday that Wall
High School also would go
remote for two weeks, on
the same dates.
All Wall schools will be
closed on Monday, Jan. 18
in observance of the Rev.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Allenwood and high school
SEE THEATER PAGE 3
SEE CHIEFS PAGE 4
“This move to an all-virtual schedule is a result of an increasing
number of students testing positive for COVID-19.”
TRACY R. HANDERHAN, Wall Superintendent of Schools
SEE WALL PAGE 2
SEE SPRING LAKE PAGE 4
Reach for the Stars!
Subscribe Today at: StarNewsGroup.com/subscribeSpring Lake comes through for struggling community theater
Nearly $230,000 raised for pandemic recovery fund; still, ‘a long road ahead’
Former ShowRoom Cinema complex would become ‘The Bradley,’
featuring live performances, as well as major and independent films
ic experience,” with “three
auditoriums, a large stage
for live events, an expanded
lobby with lounge space, el-
evated concessions and bar
The changes would require
a number of applications
and approvals. However, the
group has hopes of opening
The Bradley this summer,
according to Cinema Lab,
which says it will also foster
strong ties with the Bradley
Beach community at large.
Mayor Larry Fox welcomed
the move, saying that “Main
Street in Bradley Beach, and
for that matter, America, has
taken some real hits with the
pandemic. Our Main Street
Task Force has already been
focused on improvements
and the potential for a profes-
sional entertainment group
for the theater couldn’t be
better news.”
The group started a Kick-
starter to raise funds to pur-
chase the shuttered theater on
Monday, with the goal of rais-
ing $50,000. There are special
perks for those who donate
to the campaign, including
merchandise, a place on The
Bradley Advocate Wall, being
invited to the cinema’s red
carpet grand opening, free
movies for the first year of the
cinema’s operation, having a
seat in the theater named af-seat in the theater named af-seat in the theater named af
ter them, personal on-screen
recognition and naming
MARK R. SULLIVAN THE COAST STAR
The Showroom Cinema on Main Street in Bradley Beach, forced out of business by the COVID-19 pandem-
ic, would be transformed into The Bradley, an entertainment complex for movies and performing arts
under a plan announced by a theater group this week.
Police chiefs encourage
officers to get COVID shots
State has extended vaccination eligibility to police and firefighters
ments have been encouraged
to receive their first shot.
“I am highly encouraging
them to get the vaccine. It’s
really their choice; I can’t
mandate that they get it,”
Belmar Chief of Police Tina
Scott told The Coast Star on
Monday, adding that in the
past 10 months, some of the
department’s 23 o�cers had
contracted the virus and have
since recovered. Around five
o�cers have gotten their first
dose of the vaccine, others
have scheduled appointments
to receive it and some are still
debating whether or not they
will get it. Leading by example, she
said she was scheduled to
receive her first dose of the
vaccine on Tuesday.
“I feel that being in the job
that I am in, I should get it,”
she said. “If I am encouraging
the o�cers to get it, I should
get it as well.”
Chief Scott is not the only
chief of police who said they
wanted to lead by example.
Wall High School, Allenwood
Elementary go all-virtual
BY SANNE YOUNG
THE COAST STAR
WALL TOWNSHIP – Wall
High School and Allen-
wood Elementary School
will switch to all-virtual
instruction for two weeks
starting Wednesday, Jan. 13,
Superintendent Tracy R.
Handerhan announced.
“This move to an all-vir-
tual schedule is a result of
an increasing number of
students testing positive for
COVID-19. Individuals that
were deemed to have been
in close contact at school
have been contacted direct-
ly,” Ms. Handerhan stated
in an email sent Tuesday to
Allenwood parents. She did
not give numbers for how
many students tested pos-
itive or how many were in
close contact.
“Principal [Erin] O’Con-
nell will communicate de-
tails related to scheduling
and instruction directly
with Allenwood families,”
she added. Ms. Handerhan an-
nounced Tuesday that Wall
High School also would go
remote for two weeks, on
the same dates.
All Wall schools will be
closed on Monday, Jan. 18
in observance of the Rev.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Allenwood and high school
SEE THEATER PAGE 3
SEE CHIEFS PAGE 4
“This move to an all-virtual schedule is a result of an increasing
number of students testing positive for COVID-19.”
TRACY R. HANDERHAN, Wall Superintendent of Schools
SEE WALL PAGE 2
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Point Beach schools report
nine new COVID-19 cases
January 14 update raises district total to 30 since March 2020
BY TYLER SPRINGSTEEN
THE OCEAN STAR
POINT PLEASANT BEACH —
Point Pleasant Beach schools
have reported nine new cases
of COVID-19 since returning
to school following the holi-
day break. According to Superinten-
dent William Smith, these
new positive cases reflect a
trend in the state following
the holiday season.
“A lot of people saw a lot
of people over Christmas
break and through the new
year, so the timelines are lin-
ing up for that to trickle into
the communities and into the
state, which you’re seeing in
statewide numbers,” said Mr.
Smith. The district has had 30
total COVID-19 infections
since the pandemic outbreak
in March. This relatively low
number is encouraging to the
district, Mr. Smith added, al-
though “it doesn’t make it
any easier on the families or
on the kids or sta� members.”
Of those 30 cases, most
have been accounted for and
traced to sources outside of
the schools, Mr. Smith said.
He said the school dis-
trict is unable to identify the
sources of the remaining cas-
es. “We just couldn’t identify
what they were.
“In a nutshell, I feel our
return-to-school plan has
worked really, really well, but
that only happens because
Point Boro offices closed
to public in health move
Temporary closure does not affect on site work or meetings, however
BY KAYLA MARSH
THE OCEAN STAR
POINT PLEASANT — Borough
officials have announced
that offices at borough hall
are temporarily closed to
the public for in-person dai-
ly business due to COVID-19
risk.“We had a couple cases so,
as you know, our primary im-
portance is to make sure the
public and the employees of
Point Pleasant Borough are
kept safe,” Mayor Robert Sa-
bosik told The Ocean Star on
Jan. 11.“We thoroughly cleaned
the building, everything was
done according to feder-
al guidelines, and we have
closed the building to the
public until further notice,”
the mayor said.
Municipal employees are
still working to meet resi-
dents’ needs, operating on
alternate shifts. Other mea-
sures are also in place to al-
low business to still be con-
ducted despite the closure.
Correspondence for any
department can be dropped
in the appropriate drop boxes
in the court lobby and most
business can also be tak-
en care of through email or
through the borough website,
ptboro.com.
Council meetings, as well
as meetings of the borough
planning and zoning board
of adjustment, and any other
night meetings are not a�ect-
ed and will proceed normally.
In addition, preschool classes
at the recreation building and
recreation programs are not
a�ected and will continue to
operate.“There are boxes in the
front foyer [at borough hall,
2233 Bridge Ave.] that people
can drop o� their request for
service or questions. That
Brick sports dome momentum slows, mayor says
Traffic pattern issues pose stumbling block; another study is sought
BY SCOTT YUNKER
THE OCEAN STAR
BRICK TOWNSHIP — The
sports dome slated for the
former Foodtown site at the
intersection of Route 70 and
Brick Boulevard has been
met with a stumbling block at
the county level, Mayor John
Ducey told residents during
an online question-and-an-
swer held Friday, Jan. 8.
Mayor Ducey has said
breaking ground on the
long-awaited indoor sports
center in 2021 is a top goal for
his administration, in a Dec.
18 interview published in the
2021 Outlook edition of The
Ocean Star last week.
At that time, Mayor Ducey
also said Ocean County o�-
cials had expressed concern
with traffic patterns in the
area of the proposed dome,
but that similar concerns
aired by the New Jersey De-
partment of Transportation
[NJDOT] and the New Jersey
Department of Environmen-
tal Protection [NJDEP] had
been resolved.
“I’m assuming the county
would not be more strict with
regards to tra�c than the ac-
tual DOT of the state,” Mayor
Ducey said Dec. 18.
But since then, the Ocean
County Planning Board has
made clear it will indeed re-
quire further tra�c studies,
Mayor Ducey said Jan. 8.
“We got the [NJDEP] CA-
FRA permit in November,
which was a huge step. We
were hopeful to be able to
close by the end of 2020, but
then the county planning
board got involved,” he said.
“Despite the fact that the NJ-
DOT required tra�c studies
and then, for some reason,
the DEP CAFRA [also] re-
quired tra�c studies.
MARK R. SULLIVAN THE OCEAN STAR
LAVALLETTE BEACHFRONT IMPROVEMENTS
The President Avenue beachfront in Lavallette appeared serene on a recent day. The borough
installed a hard deck there to improve handicap access in 2020 and will pursue funding for more
such decks in 2021.
Zoning board hears day
two of Gottlieb proposal
Point Beach public market, performance space, boutique hotel planned
BY TYLER SPRINGSTEEN
THE OCEAN STAR
POINT PLEASANT BEACH —
Owners of the Gottlieb
Building came before the
borough’s zoning board
during a virtual meeting Jan.
7 to continue a presentation
seeking to open a multi-
use space in the historical
two-story structure.
The group plans to open
New Jersey’s first public mar-
ket, Gottlieb District 1906,
as well as a yarn shop and a
seven-room hotel above.
The application seeks
multiple variances for space,
parking and signage, most
for existing conditions of
the building. The group also
seeks a use variance since a
hotel is not a permitted use
in the current zone.
EAF ONE LLC Represen-
tative John Jackson brought
forward Gottlieb District
1906 curator Fallon Schultz,
contractor and building man-
ager Darryl Monticello and
planner Christine Cofone to
testify as to why the project
will benefit the community.
Ms. Schultz pitched to the
board her vision of the in-
door market. Vendors may
come in and o�er their prod-
ucts and artists may display
their work, and the build-
ing could transform into an
event space with opportuni-
ties for small gatherings, club
events and small shows, all
of which are permitted uses
in the buildings zone.
A goal of Ms. Schultz’
presentation was to give the
board an overview of the
project as a whole, market
and hotel included, and to
show how they would work
together to bring more com-
merce into the borough.
MARK R. SULLIVAN THE OCEAN STAR
The long-awaited sports dome will include an indoor football field doubling as three soccer/lacrosse
fields; a stationary wave for year-round indoor surfing; and much more, according to Mayor John Ducey.
SEE DOME PAGE 2
“We were hopeful to
be able to close by the
end of 2020, but then
the county planning
board got involved.”
JOHN DUCEY, Mayor of
Brick Township
“What we are doing
is … taking steps to
ensure the safety of
everybody to the best
of our ability.”
ROBERT SABOSIK, Mayor of
Point Pleasant Borough
SEE POINT PLEASANT PAGE 4
SEE BEACH PAGE 4
SEE GOTTLIEB PAGE 4
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How to plan a winter weddingSTAR NEWS GROUP
Weddings take place throughout the year, but some months have tra-ditionally proven more popular times of year for happy couples to tie the knot.
Summer was long known as the most popu-lar season for weddings, but that trend has shifted in recent years. Accord-ing to the 2020 Wedding-Wire Newlywed Report, 36 percent of couples get married in the fall, making autumn the most popular time to say “I do.”
Though October and September are the two
most popular months to marry, budget-conscious couples may want to consider getting married in winter. December, Jan-uary and February are the least popular wed-ding months, but the ex-perts at WeddingWire note that getting married during the slow season has its benefits. Vendors, including wedding plan-ners and venues, may offer their services and facilities at discounted prices in winter to ac-count for the slow sea-son. And guests might be thankful to have a fun event to look forward to during a time of year
when social schedules tend to be less busy.
Many wedding com-ponents will stay the same regardless of when couples walk down the aisle. However, couples may need to take a few things into consideration as they begin planning winter weddings.
AVOID HOLIDAY WEEKENDS
Just because social schedules are not al-ways so busy in winter that doesn’t mean cou-ples can pick any winter weekend to tie the knot. The holiday season, which begins on Thanks-giving weekend in late
November and lasts until New Year’s Day, is a hec-tic time of year for many people. Avoid holiday weekends like Thanks-giving and the weekends before or after Christmas and New Year’s Eve/New Year’s Day. These week-ends already are busy travel times, so couples might not be able to get guest-friendly rates on hotel rooms, and some guests may already have plans to visit family. In addition to the Decem-ber holidays, avoid the first weekend in Febru-ary. That’s Super Bowl weekend, and many peo-ple may be reluctant to
travel on the day of the big game.
RESEARCH LOCAL WEATHERIt’s impossible to pre-
dict the weather, but savvy couples can re-search local weather in the town or city where they’re getting married to determine when is the most travel-friendly month to host their wed-dings. Some regions get heavy snowfall in Jan-uary, while others may be more susceptible to late winter snowstorms. Couples with a lot of out-of-town guests should choose a winter weekend where snowfall is unlike-ly so guests don’t have to
endure travel delays on their way to and from the wedding.
PURCHASE WEDDING INSURANCE
Wedding insurance is a wise investment for ev-ery couple, but it can be especially valuable for couples tying the knot in winter. Each policy is different, but wedding insurance policies should protect couples’ invest-ments if storms force lo-cal o�cials to declare a state of emergency that prohibits travel. Make sure the policy covers both cancellations and postponements.
FEBRUARY 25 & 26, 2021 STAR NEWS GROUP PAGE 11WWW.STARNEWSGROUP.COM
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Plan to treat guests in extra-special waysSTAR NEWS GROUP
Weddings may focus on the couples getting hitched, but weddings also are special thanks to the many family and friends couples involve in the festivities. Some of the more successful wed-dings are ones in which couples honor their guests and let them know how much they’re appre-ciated. By incorporating these ideas into their wedding ceremonies and receptions, couples can let their guests know how much they’re loved.
Arrange seats at the ceremony (if practical) in a circular pattern around you so that everyone can have a great view when you exchange vows.
Create a bathroom convenience basket for both the men’s and wom-en’s bathrooms. Stock items that might come in handy, like mouth-wash, toothpaste, first aid items, spare pantyhose, hair spray, sanitary prod-ucts, moisturizer, gum, and whatever other nice-ties you can think of.
Provide prearranged to-go boxes so that guests can take home tasty tid-bits from the meal or dessert table.
Offer transportation between the ceremony and reception.
Customize “do not dis-turb” door tags for over-night guests so they can ensure they get enough shut-eye after partying into the wee hours of the morning.
Make sure the pho-tographer takes photos of everyone at every ta-ble and then share those
photos on a wedding website or via social media. Create a hashtag unique to your wedding so that guests can easily find the photos.
Provide inexpensive slippers or flip-flops so that avid dancers can rest their toes in between songs.
If valet parking service is not included, ask for an add-on so that guests get door-to-door treatment.
Always be consider-ate of special needs by seating guests in places where they’re most likely
to be comfortable. Keep elderly guests away from speakers and near exits to facilitate trips to the bathroom.
Be mindful of all food allergies or requirements and have accommoda-tions set up in advance.
Honor those people who could not be at the wedding in a special way, including deceased fami-ly and friends.
Include information about how guests can re-quest songs at the recep-tion. Pass on the infor-mation to the band or DJ.
Encourage guests to get up and dance by mak-ing it fun. Put song lyrics from different songs on each table. When that song is played, that table has to join you on the dance floor.
Remember to thank everyone for coming and follow up those in-per-son sentiments with handwritten, personal-ized thank-you notes af-ter the wedding.
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WWW.STARNEWSGROUP.COMPAGE 12 STAR NEWS GROUP FEBRUARY 25 & 26, 2021