Gardening Talisman
By Kathy MieleI was poking around in the garage when I noticed an old wooden box tucked in the back of a shelf almost hidden by one of the boy’s old baseball bags. As I pulled it out I couldn’t help but call out to my husband, “Steven, you’ve got to see what I just found!”Steven came out into the garage. “What?” he asked.I was holding up the wooden box. “It’s Dad’s old gardening box!” I looked inside and began pulling out the old and rusted gardening tools. “Well, these have seen better days,” I sighed.
“That’s for sure.”Steven reached in and picked up the old gardening glove, caked with dirt, its mate long gone. “I don’t think there’s a thing worth saving in this whole box,” he said as he tossed the old glove back in.“It’s not the things inside the box that I want,” I said. “It’s the box itself.”I held it close to my chest. “Dad was such a wonderful gardener maybe just using this will bring me luck with my own gardening.”Steven looked out the window and pointed at my cherry tomato plant sadly sitting in its patio pot, leaning awkwardly to one side. “I’m pretty sure what you need are a few tomato stakes and some twine to get that one back on track.”I ignored his suggestion for the moment, too busy in my own thoughts. I dumped the contents of Dad’s gardening box in the trash before placing it on the counter. Then I grabbed my car keys and headed out the door. “I’ll be back in about a half-hour,” I called.Steven sighed as he watched me go.A half-hour later I burst through the door calling out to him, “I’m back!”Steven came out to the kitchen just in time to see me drop my overflowing shopping bag onto the kitchen counter. “I’ve got some stuff for my gardening box,” I said as I held up a three-pronged hand tool. “I got a new digger thing.”“You mean a cultivator?” Steven asked.“Whatever you call it.” I dropped it in the box and pulled my next purchase out of the shopping bag. “My own pair of gardening gloves.” I held up the denim-colored cotton gloves with small white flowers printed on them. “Aren’t these adorable?” I asked.“That’s what you’re looking for when you work in dirt – adorable,” he said.He watched as I reached into the bag and pulled out a half-dozen additional new hand tools. “I’m not sure what any of these are called but I’m pretty sure I need all of them.” I smiled as I dropped them in the gardening box.“Did you happen to get some gardening stakes and some twine?” he asked as he pointed to my tomato plant on the patio.“Even better,” I said reaching into another bag. “I stopped by the fabric shop and picked this up.” I showed him the light green grosgrain ribbon. “This will look prettier in the garden than twine.”Steven shrugged as he looked at the ribbon. “I guess that will work, too.”I smiled as I picked up the newly filled gardening box and headed out the backdoor. “I’m telling you Steven, now that I have Dad’s lucky gardening box this backyard is going to look gorgeous in just a few weeks!”Steven didn’t say a word, but really, he didn’t have to.
Shoppers can look for the Have a Heart poster on participating business windows and will usually find a bin for donations. Lunch Break served more than 4,500 free hot meals each month in 2012, a 68 percent increase since 2008. The number includes meals delivered to homebound seniors. The pantry also provides groceries to those who need help and more than 500 children receive Christmas gifts. Social, medical and legal services are available onsite and clothing in good repair is handed out once each month.“As a business community we see such special projects as our way of ‘paying it forward,’ ” Saybolt said. “Even in turned-down economies we recognize the opportunities that we have been given and the necessity to share our time and talents with others.”Actively seeking new members, the LSBPA hopes to promote the advantages of shopping in a smaller borough as opposed to larger retail facilities and more congested “downtown” surroundings. By synchronizing event calendars with the town, offering a website and networking among members, the LSBPA is living by its mission to, “unite our fellow businesses in Little Silver and augment our investment in the community through business growth and volunteerism.”For more information on the Have a Heart Food Drive or to find out more about the LSBPA, contact Saybolt at Lori5775@comcast.net or visit online at www.LittleSilverBusiness.com. Gloria Nilson Realtors Real Living, 600 Broad St., ShrewsburyWells Fargo Home Mortgage, 230 Half Mile Road, Red BankEdward Jones, 841 W. Park Ave., Ocean LITTLE SILVER – The Little Silver Business and Professional Association (LSBPA) has announced its third annual community service project benefitting Lunch Break in Red Bank.The Have a Heart Food Drive, named for the campaign’s proximity to Valentine’s Day, begins Feb. 1 and will continue throughout the month with drop-off locations at businesses all over the Little Silver downtown community.Last year’s community effort resulted in more than 350 pounds of food being donated to Lunch Break. This year, LSBPA Co-President Lori Saybolt said the business partnership has a goal of collecting 500 pounds of food.“In initially organizing the Have a Heart Food Drive, we set out to give back to those in need during exceedingly difficult times,” Saybolt said. “What happened as a result of our humanitarian effort was an ensuing strength and bond among the business community of Little Silver that prompted us to organize more community service projects throughout the year.”Now with the need being greater than ever from Super Storm Sandy, the organization’s members are hopeful that everyone who can give will donate.The group is seeking nonperishable donations such as canned fruits and vegetables, canned tuna, rice, beans, soups and other staples to fill the pantry shelves of Lunch Break, a volunteer-driven, nonprofit organization that provides hot meals and other critical assistance such as clothing and services, to those in need. Other drop off locations in the area include: Businesses in Little Silver serving as designated drop-off locations include: The Woman’s Exchange, 32 Church St.Valley National Bank, 140 Markham PlaceMcCue Captains Agency, 680 Branch Ave.Family Pharmacy, 10 Church St.New Jersey Laser Dentistry, 200 White Road, Suite 203Ye Olde Pie Shoppe, 74 Oceanport Ave.Central Jersey Bank, 700 Branch Ave.Pet’s General, 32 Prospect PlazaWells Fargo Bank, 480 Prospect Ave.Skin and Bones Day Spa, 31 Church St.Jill Ryan Interiors, 160 White Road, Suite 103
Yes, you heard that right! Barriers on the Oceanic Bridge connecting Rumson and Middletown will be lifted Saturday night through 6 a.m. Monday, as work to repair bearings shifts from the north side to the south side.The bridge has been closed to traffic since Tuesday, and was not expected to re-open until June 12. The county posted a notice on its website Friday about the opening.Harms Construction Co. Inc. of Howell will resume work at 6 a.m. Monday on the south side of the structure that spans the Navesink River. Round-the-clock work will continue to have the work completed by June 12.
HIGHLANDS – Plan an exciting weekend getaway, a romantic date night on the water, or an interesting, inexpensive adventure this summer. Seastreak, a ferry and catamaran service, offers affordable year-round events and cruises for people of all ages. The boats afford full-cash bars, flat screen TVs, various shows, impeccable views, and more.Catch a New York Yankee or Mets game without the hassle of traffic. Seastreak travels to Yankee stadium – a 75-minute ride – or Citi Field – 90 minutes – in plenty of time to catch the pre-game on- or off-board. The walk to the entrances of either stadium is short, and the ferry departs 30 minutes after the last out.Everyone could use a weekend getaway, especially to scenic Martha’s Vineyard. The catamaran departs from the Highlands and Manhattan on Fridays and from Martha’s Vineyard on Sundays without connecting stops. Within the quick five-hour ride, guests are able to see views of Manhattan, Roosevelt Island, the Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge, Long Island Sound, Block Island and more from the ferry’s three decks with 360-degree views. Another weekend getaway available is to Nantucket from Fridays-Sundays throughout June, one way or round-trip. A New Bedford Sunset Cruise, live entertainment, and a view of the sunset over the water. Also departing from New Bedford is another cruise to Martha’s Vineyard, running daily throughout the summer.A convenient way to view the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks on the East River is from a Seastreak ferry. The Seastreak catamarans leave from the Highlands and Manhattan and station in the perfect spot so guests can enjoy the scenery from indoors or outdoors.For a day in the city, board the NY Sightseeing Cruise on a weekday or during the weekend, choosing a convenient time. The round-trip is two-and-a-half hours, leaving from both New Jersey (Highlands and Atlantic Highlands) and Manhattan. Sights include Battery Park, Brooklyn Bridge, Governor’s Island, South Street Seaport, Statue of Liberty, Romer Shoal Lighthouse, Sandy Hook Lighthouse and more.For more information visit www.seastreak.com. Ways to the WavesBy Joey Dominguez Fishing & Party CruisesBy Capt. Robby Barradale With summer well on its way, Two River locals are already dreaming about the various ways to the Jersey Shore waters. Here are just a few activities.Kayaking is an easy, fun activity that gets locals of all ages off of their couches and into the water. The Red Bank Marina rents kayaks and canoes hourly and by the day. They provide mandatory personal flotation device as well as all other necessary safety equipment.The Oceanic Marina in Rumson also provides both single and double kayak rentals with access to Sandy Hook Bay. You can rent a kayak for a minimum two hours or for a full day. They also provide skiff and pontoon rentals with the appropriate boating license.Paddleboarding, a water activity that involves kneeling or standing on a board while using your arms or an oar to propel you forward, originated in the waters of Polynesia and has since become a popular choice for local beachgoers. Navesink River Paddle Excursions in Fair Haven offers both private and semi-private lessons, board and paddle rentals and tours in both the morning and evening hours.A derivative of paddleboarding, stand up paddling (SUP) is available in various locations. And for more of a chal- lenge, Ohanala offers SUP yoga – yoga practiced on Stand Up Paddle boards secured by tether to a floating dock.If physically manning a boat seems daunting, you can enjoy a day on the water by letting a captain take the wheel on an eco cruise with NY/NJ Baykeeper. A Lighthouse Eco Cruise sails past the lighthouses of Coney Island and Sandy Hook and a Boats and Bridges Eco Cruise will offer a waterview that includes a boat graveyard. Both cruises launch from the Keyport waterfront and will provide light refreshments. In the land of the Two Rivers we are fortunate to have so many great marinas and some of them host the best all-around party and charter boats in New Jersey.Party boats – primarily out of Atlantic Highlands – sail daily and charge by the individual passenger. They are also known as “head boats” because they charge “by the head.” Vessels such as the Sea Tiger run half day trips, normally 8 a.m. till 12:30 p.m. and then again from 1:30 to 6 p.m. I highly recommend this type of trip if you go with kids. It’s just long enough to keep them busy without getting bored. Others such as the Fishermen offer 3/4 day runs from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and also a night trip from 6:30 to 11:30 p.m. (Please check with your captains for possible schedule changes.)Charter boats are reserved for a group that is essentially leas- ing the boat for a specific time frame. For fishing purposes you can opt for a smaller boat like Obsessive Behavior for personalized two-person fly or light tackle trips. Moving up, out of Highlands, we have a number of six-passenger boats such as Long Shot or Fisher Price IV, both captained by serious fisher- men who will “put you on the meat.” Our next step – more like a leap – would be the larger charters like the MiJo II that can handle up to 95 people. To be honest, 95 folks on a boat is a lot for fishing, 15 to 40 is a much more comfortable number.It doesn’t have to be a fishing trip. Some people enjoy the more laid back atmosphere of a sunset cruise or maybe a Statue of Liberty run, or even a three-hour party/booze cruise. Both the MiJo II and the Mariner can customize this type of event for you. A nice striper on Obsessive Behavior with Joe Hagen. Photo: Robert BarradaleDay and Weekend CruisesBy Samantha Caramela Happy Boating!Capt. Robby writes the Fish or Cut Bait column for the Two River Times
Crisipin was runner up in the open division while Lynne Foster of Nelson finished second in the Senior Ladies category.Jeri Santarossa of Trail won the 18-hole tourney edging Carole Waters of Kokanee Springs.The Granite Pointe foursome of Kathy Tencza, Sue Moisey, Audrey Arcuri and Sherry McIvor won the team title.The B.C. Senior Ladies tournament is June 18-20 at the Highland Pacific Golf Club in Victoria.The women will be back on the course Saturday at Granite Pointe for the annual Tournament of Roses event.The 18-hole tourney begins at 9:30 a.m. with a shotgun start. Cherie Baker of Creston stole the show at the Kootenay Women’s Zone Golf Championships held recently at the Granite Pointe at Nelson course.Baker edged Mackenzie Field of Christina Lake in the 36-hole tournament. Baker now earns a spot in the upcoming B.C. Amateur Women’s Championships, which is being played at the Christina Lake course in July 3-6.Baker also took home the Senior Ladies crown over Balfour’s Roma Crispin.Sue Moisey of Nelson captured both low net awards.
The L. V. Bomber Baseball Bombers made it a clean sweep of Alberta competion during a weekend road trip through the southern part of the province.The Bombers swept a pair of doubleheader sets from both Raymond and Kate Andrews High School from Coaldale to make conclude the 2014 diamond season on a successful note.LVR opened the trip by blasting Raymond 11-0 behind the five-hit pitching of Austin Tambellini, who finished the game with three walks and eight strikeouts.Offensively the Bombers were lead by Tambellini with three hits while Reese Tambellini, Eric Hurley and Hano Southam, chipped in with one hit each.LVR had a great eye at the plate forcing the Raymond pitchers to walk five hitters while the Comets commited five errors that lead to Bomber runs. The Alberta trip had the Bombers ending the season with a 17 win and 8 loss record. The hosts put up a better fight during the second game of the set as LVR scored a 4-2 victory.Southam struck out five, gave up three hits and no walks for LVR.The Bombers were down two going into the last inning when John Barabonoff hit a three-run home run to put the team in the lead and Saywer Hunt chipped in with an RBI single in the same inning.Other hits in game two came from Hano and Reese Tambellini.The Bombers then rocked Kate Andrews 20-1 the next day, combining for 14 hits. Braeden Zarikoff, Saywer Hunt and Austin Tambellini each collected two hits while Brandon Huffty added a two-run single during the game.Zarikoff, tossing a four-hit gem and fanning 12 batters, picked up the win for LVR.In the final game of the weekend John Barabonoff completed his high school baseball career with a complete game win — striking out three, hitting one batting and giving up three hits —to lead LVR to a 10-2 win.The Bombers kept hitting well collecting 13 hits. Brandon Huffty and Hano Southam ended thier high school baseball careers collecting three hits each, Geon Woo Park, John Barabonoff, Saywer Hunt, Braeden Zarikoff and Austin Tambellini each chipped in with one hit.
MacDonald then increased the margin to 4-1 after two periods before the roof fell in on the Bruins.Chow scored twice, then singles by Nolan Percival, Cramer, MacDonald and St. Pierre ended the romp.Nelson out shot the Bruins 41-33 in the contest making Adam Maida a winner in goal for the Leafs.Former Leaf Jay Sidhu scored the lone goal for Grand Forks.The win snapped a two-game losing streak for Nelson and allows the Leafs to remain on top of the Murdoch Division, three points in front of the idle Castlegar Rebels.Nelson closes out the weekend Saturday at home against the visiting Spokane Braves.Puck drop is 7 p.m.Prior to the game there will be a moment of silence for longtime Leaf supporter Ted Cartlidge. It was “ring up the points night” for the Green and White as the Nelson Leafs clobbered the Grand Forks Border Bruins 10-1 in Kootenay International Junior Hockey League action Friday night in the Boundary City.Matt MacDonald had a career game, finishing with six points, including a three-goal hat-trick, to lead the Leafs.Nelson’s leading scorer Robson Cramer had four points while Branden Chow and Darnel St. Pierre each finished with three.Nelson led 2-1 after one period on goals by Sam Weber.