HOWELL, NJ — Nothing Bundt Cakes is the nation’s largest specialty cake company, but it takes the hard work and vision of local entrepreneurial bakers to bring the cakes to the public.

Another location for the franchise is coming - in a few months - to Aldrich Plaza in Howell, bringing a sweet new retail category to the Monmouth County shopping center.

Nothing Bundt Cakes offers handcrafted bundt cakes in a variety of flavors and sizes, such as bite-sized Buntinis, miniature Bundtlets, and 8- to 10-inch Bundt Cakes.

The bakeries also offer retail items including party supplies, decor and gifts.

Ava Hesse and her mother, Terri, are the very busy hands behind the future opening.

The two are hoping to open their second bakery - they currently have one in Toms River - at Aldrich Plaza in 2024.

The 2,500-square-foot space will replace the former Howell Academy of Dance location and it is still in the permitting process, Ava Hesse said. So customers will have to wait a little while for the hand-crafted desserts shaped in the distinctive bundt dome.

"We have owned the Toms River bakery since April of 2022," said Ava. "We fell in love with the cake and brand, and we are very excited for the opportunity to expand in New Jersey."

She said they "take pride in using our bakeries to spread joy and support our communities through cake donations and fundraising."

Also, the tireless duo is opening a location in Brick Plaza in 2024 - probably on a similar timeline to the Howell bakery, she added.

Founded in 1997, Nothing Bundt Cakes currently operates about 500 bakery locations in more than 40 states and Canada. The cakes are handcrafted in every bakery, the company says.

There are 11 bakeries in the chain in New Jersey, including one in Shrewsbury managed by another operator.

“Dessert-inspired concepts are a hot retail category,” said E.J. Moawad, Levin Management Corporation “Within that segment, Nothing Bundt Cakes is an established, growing national brand with a strong following, and it’s a great addition for this center.”

And a really tasty one, too - especially for shoppers hitting the many other stores at Aldrich Plaza.

Anchored by Walgreens, Aldrich Plaza is home to Retro Fitness, My Salon Suites (opening soon), Salon Centric, Norman’s Hallmark, RE/MAX real estate, AT&T, Big City Bagels & Salads, Bubbakoo’s Burritos and GNC.

Plus, neighborhood services, such as a dentist, pizzeria, Chinese restaurant, optician, liquor store, karate studio, coffee and ice cream shops, and a dry cleaner, among others, round out the tenant mix.

Aldrich Plaza, says Levin Management of Plainfield, serves a residential population of nearly 164,000 people within a five-mile radius. The average household income is $171,000 within a one-mile radius, Levin says. The daily traffic count passing the property exceeds 38,000 vehicles.

There are spots remaining at Aldrich Plaza, including a 30,430-square-foot, in-line space and a 2,640-square-foot former restaurant pad site. A 10,000-square-foot proposed pad site is also available.

LMC Leasing Representative Kendal Hand-Freda and Senior Leasing Representative Moawad arranged the 2,500-square-foot lease. Mark Stanislawski of The Retail Strategy represented the tenant, the Levin company said.

HOWELL, NJ — Al Miller is one of five candidates, including one write-in candidate, seeking three full-term seats on the Howell Board of Education in the Nov. 7 election.

Miller is the current president of the Howell Board of Education and has served on the school board for 12 years. Other incumbents seeking re-election are Denise M. Lowe and Ira Thor.

Martianne Degliuomini is seeking her first term on the board, and a write-in campaign is being run by candidate Eleonora Calo.

Miller, of the Ramtown section of the township, says he always has taken comments and opinions of parents in the district very seriously and would like to see more parents share their ideas.

His campaign link is www.facebook.com/AlMiller4HowellBOE.

Find out what's happening in Howellwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

In these profiles, candidates provide voters with background about themselves and their positions on the issues, as they see them.

Read more from Al Miller:

Background:

Candidates were asked to provide their professional or volunteer information, school board experience, campaign links, and personal background.

I am married with two daughters who went through the Howell Township School districts.

I am a retired Emergency Medical Technician from the NYC Fire Department Emergency Medical Service. This allows me to bring my knowledge in safety to the district.

I am the past president of Southard Elementary School, past president Middle School North PTA, past vice president Aldrich Elementary PTO, as well as a former active member of Middle School South PTO, Howell HS PAT and Howell HS Band Parent Association.

With serving on these PTA/PTO board and/or being involved in the parent organizations, I was able to see and hear the concerns of the parents and the importance of the parents' voice. This is something I take very seriously at every Board of Education meeting and every committee meeting I attend.

We need to have more parents to come out and share their ideas, concerns and comments with our board. Parental involvement and voice are an essential part of a child’s education. I also was a religious education teacher at St. Veronica’s Church.

Top issues:

Candidates were asked about the important issues in their district, and how the school board can address them.

One of the issues facing the district is also an advantage. That is the upcoming addition of the full implementation of the preschool 3- and 4-year-old program.

While this program will bring free preschool to our 3- and 4-year students and get them the early education they deserve and need, it will have an effect on our current student population. We will need to “repurpose” two buildings to make them Early Learning Centers and return to a K-5 model.

We will also need to do a reconfiguration of our school district so this will affect even some middle school students as we “right size those buildings.”

Our last reconfiguration lasted nine years and the students who entered kindergarten will have left our district in 8th grade knowing their path. So, the promises the district made were able to be kept. In this plan, those promises of entering preschool and leaving 8th grade on the same path will also be our goal.

Policy 5756:

Candidates were asked if they wanted to comment on state Policy 5756, which provides guidance regarding transgender students, including communication with parents. Some districts in the state are repealing or amending the policy.

As a candidate, and not speaking for or on behalf of the board: Recently the State Deputy Attorney General James Michael admitted in court that Policy 5756 is not a mandatory policy in school districts. The Howell Board of Education current policy company mislabeled it as a mandatory policy.

So, the district, as well as others, now are in the process of considering abolishing it. I do support abolishing it. If the district abolished it, they would still continue to uphold state and federal anti-discrimination laws.

I would like to see a General Parental Notice Policy. That policy would notify parents if the child’s social/emotional health is adversely affected. If a child feels unsafe at home, districts have the appropriate staff, resources and referrals to assist those students. Parents' voice and involvement are an essential part of every child’s education.

Candidates for Howell Board of Education: (Full term, vote for three)

There are no open spots for the Freehold Regional Board of Education from Howell this election year.

Note: Candidates who have not received their request for profile information from Patch should check their spam folders or can contact Pat McDaniel at patricia.mcdaniel@patch.com for the email with candidate questions.

Katelyn Morales of Howell has been hospitalized since June, being treated for a rare form of cancer. But at home, the community rallies.

Patch Staff

|Updated Fri, Oct 6, 2023 at 5:19 pm ET

HOWELL, NJ — The Howell community is banding together behind teen Katelyn Morales, as she makes her way through intensive treatment for a rare form of cancer.

Her family, friends and students at Howell High School are raising funds in various ways.

And under the "Fight for Kate!" banner, they are also expressing their personal support of Kate, 14, after she was diagnosed with T-cell lymphoma.

One such close family friend is Shannon Sullivan. She and others have established a GoFundMe site to help the family with extensive medical bills. Kate has been in Children's Hospital of Philadelphia since June.

"Kate's mother Tabatha is one of my best friends and Kate and my daughter Morgan have been friends all throughout school," Sullivan, of Howell, said.

Find out what's happening in Howellwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Here is part of her message to the community:

"We need your help in raising funds to help Katelyn Morales during her fight against cancer. . . . Doctors say her form of cancer is rare, which took months to diagnose and is very difficult to treat. She has been receiving radiation, chemotherapy treatments, blood transfusions," she says.

Sullivan said that, in addition to chemotherapy and radiation, Kate needs physical rehabilitation. Her mother stays with her at the hospital to help her as she goes through treatment and its side effects.

"There is nowhere else she would want to be," said Sullivan of her friend.

With all the medical and associated expenses, and an anticipated long hospital stay, all donations are welcome, Sullivan said. Again, you can go to the site here.

"Kate was looking forward to starting high school and her joy in life has always been soccer, track, and spending time with her family and friends. But now she must focus on getting better, which is going to be an ongoing and difficult battle. Her treatment will be a two-year long and very expensive journey," the message on GoFundMe said.

Katelyn’s father is with Kate's two siblings at home while her mother is with her 24/7 at the hospital, the site notes, and she is not able to work right now.

"Without the ability to work, all of her bills and expenses are piling up. Please consider donating to support Kate and her family. Every little bit helps and no amount is too small. It takes a village, and this village needs your help.#cancersucks! #fightforkate!"

T-cell lymphoma is a cancer that begins in the white blood cells and is very uncommon, according to the Lymphoma Research Foundation.

Kate's sister Madison Morales, also an athlete like her sister, says Kate is a "true warrior."

Madison has joined an American Cancer Society Relay for Life fundraiser "to celebrate survivors, remember those we've lost, and offer up support to anyone in our community who's been affected by it," she says on the site.

"The funds I'm raising will sustain critical research and provide services for people trying to cope with their cancer experience. Believe me, every dollar really does count, so I'm asking you to please donate today," she says on the site.

The Kicking Cancer relay is scheduled for next June, according to the site, and is accepting donations here.

And Sullivan said that last Wednesday, at Howell High School, students wore special T-shirts to raise funds for Kate, saying "We Fight for Kate."

Sullivan said there has "been an outpouring of support. It shows how good people are."

HOWELL, NJ — Howell is a big township, and now getting a Jersey Mike's sub will be even more convenient for residents.

A third Jersey Mike’s Subs is opening in town, this one at 1175 Route 33 in the Farmingdale section on Wednesday, Nov. 1.

Jersey Mike's is among the businesses opening at the new retail center at the corner of Route 33 and Colts Neck Road, including a Dollar General.

And sub-lovers should be on the lookout for a special coupon handout to get a sub for a donation to a local charity.

Store operator Mike Regec and team will hold a grand opening and fundraiser from Wednesday, Nov. 1, to Sunday, Nov. 5, to support Howell High School, Farmingdale Elementary School and the Optimists Club of Howell, the company says.

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Customers who receive a special fundraising coupon distributed through a grassroots push before the opening can make a minimum $2 contribution to one of those organizations in exchange for a regular sub. Customers must have a coupon to be eligible, the store says.

“We are very excited to partner with Howell High School, Farmingdale Elementary, and Optimists Club of Howell during our grand opening,” said Regec.

A second Jersey Mike's location opened on Route 9 in September. You can read about that store here.

Guests can place orders in-store or for pickup through the website or through the Jersey Mike’s app. Additionally, delivery is available in most areas through the Jersey Mike’s app or through third-party delivery partners. Curbside pickup is available for orders placed in Jersey Mike’s app.

You can contact this new Route 33 location directly at 732-751-4280.

Fundraising is a major component of the Jersey Mike’s philosophy.

Since 2010, Jersey Mike’s locations throughout the country have raised more than $110 million for local charities. In 2023, the company’s 13th annual Jersey Mike’s Month of Giving in March raised $21 million for more than 200 local charities, the company says.

Jersey Mike’s Subs has more than 2,500 locations nationwide, and it all started with a store in Point Pleasant in 1956. Because of its location at the Jersey Shore, its popularity spread.

And in the Seventies, Peter Cancro, then a 17-year-old high school senior who had worked for Mike’s Subs since he was 14 and loved the business, bought the operation with the help of his football coach who was also a banker, the company history says. In 1987, Cancro started his franchises and the successful company is still locally based, in Manasquan.

For more information, you can visit jerseymikes.com or follow Jersey Mike's on Facebook and other social media platforms.

HOWELL, NJ — The township Public Works Department has been recognized by a state organization for the scope of its passive outdoor recreation initiatives - ideas that have come to fruition thanks to the skill and hands-on work of the employees - and the vision of Director Paul Novello.

Novello is retiring this year from the role, but he leaves with an impressive legacy.

The New Jersey Chapter of the American Public Works Association has selected the department for the Public Works Project of the Year Award, in particular for the open space signage crafted by the department at various tracts in the township.

And not only that, one of the township DPW employees, Steven Rosenzweig, won statewide recognition as the recipient of the New Jersey Chapter Employee Award.

The awards were presented on Dec. 6 at a luncheon at The Bog Restaurant at the Cranbury Golf Course in West Windsor. And the Township Council recognized the recipients with proclamations at its meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 12.

Find out what's happening in Howellwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The Howell Township Passive Outdoor Recreation Project encourages residents to "go out and enjoy its 2,000 acres of preserved open space," the township said. The initiative started in May 2022, and was completed in August 2023.

There were two aspects of this project: awareness and use, the township said.

While getting people outdoors was a main factor in this project, people will become more in tune with the environment - and the need to protect it, the township said.

A signage project was part of a plan by the township to make people aware of the open space available for their use, and the locations of all the larger tracts.

DPW’s sign shop designed, fabricated and installed 12 signs, identifying the property, the acreage of the particular tract, and a QR code that brings users to the Howell website to get additional information about the history of the site.

You can read more about the project in a story here.

The department also set out three trail cameras to take pictures of the wildlife in the area. These photos are downloaded to the website, accessible via the QR code for viewing.

Regarding the award to custodian Steven Rosenzweig, he was nominated and won for “going above and beyond" the scope of his duties, Novello said in his nomination for him.

"There have been countless times when an issue arises, and Steven has saved the day. When DPW leadership gets an after hours call and Steve is still working (he works until 11 p.m.), he is asked to provide an eyes on to better assist in DPW’s response. However, many times, with the help of the supervisor on the phone, he fixes the problem, or at least makes it safe to wait until the next workday."

The Howell Township Council read the proclamations this Tuesday to both Novello and Rosenzweig.

Rosenzweig was employed since 2002, the proclamation says, and it recognizes his state award - and "his hard work and dedication for Howell Township."

When he first started working for the township, he said to the audience Tuesday that he was told "Welcome to the family!"

"It's been an honor and privilege to serve Howell, and I consider it family," he added.

Novello, who has been DPW director since 2017, was unable to attend the meeting Tuesday, but the council noted the state Project of the Year award given to the department in another proclamation.

Apart from the award-winning project to identify the open space sites, the Council noted other projects that resulted from the hard work of the department: the archery range; the road division's hiking and biking trails (part of the Capitol to Coast Trail initiative); two ADA-compliant kayak launches, plus an outdoor expo held this summer.

And the benefits of the DPW work is far-reaching, the Council noted.

"We could not be prouder of our DPW. Everyone who lives in Howell has the benefit of all of the passive recreation," said Deputy Mayor Evelyn O'Donnell at the meeting.