It's hard to deny that we live in a world where health issues seem to be increasingly common. From allergies that baffle doctors to chronic pain that never seems to go away, it's no secret that many individuals struggle to maintain good health. Respiratory issues, reproductive complications, and other conditions add to the mix, making it clear that we're all susceptible to some kind of malady.
Unfortunately, many modern doctors still believe that throwing pills at the problem or scheduling surgery is the best way to provide long-term relief. While certain serious conditions can warrant such extreme treatments, a large percentage of Americans are looking for something far less harmful and much more holistic. They're looking high and low for a reliable, well-studied solution that doesn't require time off work or sketchy pain medications.
At NJ Sports Spine & Wellness, one of the most effective and exciting treatments we've seen work for such patients is acupuncture in Strathmore, NJ - a modern take on an ancient treatment that has been used for thousands of years.
If you're new to holistic healing, acupuncture may seem intimidating. You might be wondering how needles pressed into your skin could possibly make you feel better. Wouldn't someone pushing a needle into your back be painful? As it turns out, acupuncture is far from painful and is quickly becoming one of the most sought-after treatments for chronic pain and for regulating issues relating to:
In fact, acupuncture has been studied and practiced for over 2,500 years and, more recently, has been researched and supported by many scientific studies. While acupuncture may not be a "miracle" treatment for every type of pain or condition, it has been shown to be effective in treating a wide range of issues, from depression and allergies to morning sickness and cramps.
Acupuncture is a therapy in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) that aims to balance the body's energy, called qi, which flows through pathways called meridians. This balance is crucial for overall wellness, as disruptions to qi can lead to health concerns. According to TCM, inserting small stainless-steel needles into specific points called acupoints along the meridians can help rebalance the flow of qi and restore overall health.
These acupoints are believed to release certain chemicals when stimulated, which can trigger an immune response and promote physiological homeostasis. Recent research suggests that this therapy may help alleviate symptoms of various health ailments.
In fact, the National Institute of Health conducted a survey on complementary health approaches, revealing that acupuncture usage in the United States has increased by 50 percent between 2002 and 2012. As of 2012, 6.4 percent of American adults have reported using acupuncture as a form of treatment.
One of the most common questions from new patients interested in acupuncture typically revolves around whether it really works or whether it's all "new age" malarky. We get it - for most folks, the thought of inserting stainless-steel needles into one's back, arms, or neck sounds loony. However, with the ever-increasing popularity of acupuncture in New Jersey and other locations, numerous studies centering on acupuncture's effectiveness have taken place.
Extensive research has been conducted on the effectiveness of acupuncture for various conditions. A February 2022 analysis published in the BMJ, which evaluated over 2,000 scientific reviews of acupuncture therapies, revealed that acupuncture's efficacy is strongest for:
Additionally, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), acupuncture is most effective for pain relief in cases of chronic conditions such as osteoarthritis, lower back pain, and tension headaches. Additionally, a review of 11 clinical trials found that acupuncture may also alleviate symptoms associated with cancer treatment, as noted by the NIH.
When meeting with your acupuncturist for the first time, they will discuss your condition with you before conducting a physical examination to identify areas of your body that might respond to acupuncture. The needles used in acupuncture are incredibly thin, sterile, and disposable, with your acupuncturist inserting them at different depths ranging from a fraction of an inch to several inches.
Acupuncture needles are less painful than medical needles used for vaccines or blood draws. This is because acupuncture needles are thinner and solid, not hollow. During the treatment, you may experience some muscle sensations like dull aches or tingling.
Your practitioner will ask you to report any deep heaviness or numbness, which are positive signs that the treatment is working. Depending on the condition you're treating and the supplemental treatments you're undergoing, like physical therapy, acupuncture needles will remain in place for several minutes or up to 30 minutes.
Once your first acupuncture treatment is finished, it's normal to feel extra relaxed and calm. For that reason, some patients like to arrange for a ride home after their first or second session. With that said, you shouldn't experience much pain at all, and it's quite possible for you to return to work after acupuncture.
This is another common question that we get at New Jersey Sports Spine & Wellness. The simple answer is, "It depends." While we understand that that's not a satisfying answer for some, it's important to understand that every patient is different. Everyone has different bodies and, by proxy, different bodily conditions and issues that need to be addressed.
During your initial consultation at our office, your licensed acupuncturist will go over your needs and goals as it relates to acupuncture therapy. Once your therapist has a good sense of the scope of your needs, they can give you a loose idea of how many sessions you'll need.
Generally speaking, most patients have appointments once a week. Others may require more or less frequent sessions. It's important to note that the full benefits of acupuncture may not be immediately evident after the first or even the second session. It's common for normal patients to undergo up to five treatments to realize the full benefits of acupuncture.
There's no question that acupuncture is more popular than ever as a non-invasive, non-addictive way to reclaim balance and well-being. But what types of conditions can this traditional therapy help alleviate in the modern world? Advances in acupuncture techniques and applications have resulted in some very promising benefits.
Did you know that regular acupuncture treatments can help reduce the pain associated with osteoarthritis? In May 2017, a meta-analysis was published, which studied approximately 18,000 patients with chronic pain, such as low back, neck, and shoulder pain, knee OA, and headache or migraine. The analysis found that the benefits of acupuncture therapy in reducing pain lasted for more than 12 months.
That's wonderful news for athletes and other people who push their bodies daily to accomplish goals or bring home money for rent and bills. In fact, many medical experts consider acupuncture as a viable option for managing chronic pain in conjunction with traditional methods like physical therapy and chiropractic care. The idea behind this approach is that acupuncture may trigger the body's natural healing response to alleviate pain.
When a licensed acupuncturist in New Jersey inserts an acupuncture needle, it penetrates your fascia, a connective tissue that wraps around your organs and muscles. Like a slight tickle on your arm, your body realizes that something is happening and responds by delivering lymph fluid, blood, and other important nutrients to speed up healing in affected areas like your knees, back, neck, joints, and more.
If you're like other people who suffer from migraines, you know that once one of them hits, it can be next to impossible to function properly throughout the day. Fortunately, acupuncture in Strathmore, NJ may be a viable solution if you have to endure migraines often.
A study conducted in 2009 by the Center for Complementary Medicine at the University of Munich analyzed 11 studies involving 2,137 patients who received acupuncture treatment for chronic tension-type headaches. The researchers concluded that acupuncture could be an effective non-pharmacological solution for frequent headaches.
The study compared the effects of acupuncture sessions with sham acupuncture and no treatment at all. Both groups that received acupuncture treatment, whether needles were placed randomly or strategically, reported a reduction in headache symptoms, while the control group reported no change. The group that received real acupuncture treatment also reported a decrease in the number of headache days and intensity of pain in a follow-up survey.
For individuals who struggle with insomnia and other sleep disturbances, acupuncture is a promising therapy. Although sedatives are commonly prescribed for insomnia, long-term use can lead to negative side effects such as dependence and excessive drowsiness.
A study conducted on 72 participants and published in Sleep Medicine in 2017 found that individuals who received acupuncture three times a week for four weeks experienced significant improvements in sleep quality and anxiety compared to those who received sham acupuncture.
Similarly, a review of 30 randomized, controlled trials found that acupuncture was more effective in improving sleep quality and daytime functioning than sham acupuncture.
While many patients choose acupuncture as a way to avoid surgery altogether, those who need surgery also use it for improved recovery. Because, at the end of the day, recovering from surgery is no easy feat. Patients may experience various symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, pain around the incision, restlessness, sleep troubles, constipation, and sore throat.
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, healthcare providers may use acupuncture as a way to alleviate some of these symptoms and help with healing. A study published in Integrative Cancer Therapies in January 2017 involving 172 participants found that patients who received acupuncture after surgery reported significant improvements in sleep, anxiety, pain, fatigue, nausea, and drowsiness.
Did you know that supplementing physical therapy with acupuncture and vice versa can have profoundly beneficial effects for patients in New Jersey and across the country? If you're like most, chances are you didn't.
The truth is that acupuncture and physical therapy have both been proven effective in reducing pain and inflammation. While many people view them as separate methods, combining the two modalities can produce a synergistic effect that enhances pain relief and delivers long-lasting benefits to patients.
Physical therapists work with patients of all ages and abilities, from children to elderly adults, to help them overcome physical limitations and improve their quality of life. At NJ Sports Spine & Wellness, our physical therapists help treat a wide range of conditions, from neck pain and spinal cord injuries to back pain and arthritis.
To effectively reduce pain and treat tissue injury, a combination of acupuncture and physical therapy can be very helpful. Acupuncture helps to reduce inflammation and release muscle tightness and trigger points, allowing the patient to better receive manual therapy or exercise-based physical therapy techniques. In doing so, acupuncture can actually create a window of time that allows your body to respond better to other treatments at New Jersey Sports Spine & Wellness, such as physical therapy and chiropractic care.
There are many benefits of combining physical therapy with acupuncture in Strathmore, NJ, including the following:
You may be wondering, "Are there any studies showing these benefits?" As it turns out, there are many. One such study, published on the NIH's website, was conducted on patients suffering from frozen shoulder.
Patients who received acupuncture experienced a significant reduction in pain, while those who underwent physical therapy saw an improvement in range of motion. However, the best outcome was observed in patients who received a combination of both treatments, with reduced pain, increased their range of motion, and improved quality of life. This study highlights the potential benefits of using acupuncture and physical therapy as complementary treatments for frozen shoulder.
It makes sense, then, that people from all walks of life are combining acupuncture with chiropractic treatments at New Jersey Sports Spine & Wellness, including:
At New Jersey Sports Spine & Wellness, our doctors, practitioners, occupational therapists, and physical therapist specialize in a range of therapies and treatments. Much like physical therapy and acupuncture, combining chiropractic care with acupuncture therapy gives patients a new way to reclaim their mobility, reduce chronic pain, and maintain a healthy quality of life.
Chiropractic care and acupuncture in Strathmore, NJ are natural healing practices that don't rely on drugs to improve the body's health. They focus on correcting imbalances in the body's structural and supportive systems, promoting natural healing, and ultimately leading to better health. These practices have a proven track record of helping patients improve their quality of life and overcome physical difficulties.
Integrating chiropractic and acupuncture as a dual-modality treatment offers the most efficient solution for removing blockages from the body, promoting balance, and accelerating healing. Rather than using these treatments sequentially, a combined approach allows for maximum benefits at one time.
Chiropractic targets subluxations in the nervous system through manual adjustments, facilitating the central nervous system to promote healing, while acupuncture removes blockages that may hinder the body's internal balance. Together, these treatments work synergistically to optimize energy flow and restore harmony in the body.
When our physical well-being becomes imbalanced, and our innate healing mechanisms are compromised, illnesses can manifest. The integration of acupuncture and chiropractic practices can effectively address a wide range of health conditions that they individually target, such as:
Curious if combining chiropractic care or physical therapy with acupuncture is right for your body? The best way to find out is to make an appointment at our sports rehab clinic in New Jersey. Once our team of medical professionals has a chance to evaluate your conditions, we can explore the best options to provide the most relief in the shortest amount of time possible.
New Jersey Sports Spine & Wellness consists of a team of athletic trainers, chiropractors, occupational therapists, physical therapists, and other professionals. We're very proud and passionate about caring for our patients, many of whom are suffering from debilitating conditions like back and neck pain, plantar fasciitis, sports-related injuries, and more. If you're trying to get on the road to pain relief and recovery, acupuncture may be the non-surgical solution you need to reclaim your life. Contact our office today to learn whether this exciting treatment is right for you.
The “Hip Hop Nutcracker” is the new Nutcracker standard as far as I’m concerned. The original 19th-century classic, adapted from an E.T.A. Hoffman story and set to Tchaikovsky’s score, has since become a Christmas time mainstay, and now it’s been given a fresh, evocative, and totally funky update. From what I could tell, the audience certainly responded. It was a party at the Strathmore with plenty of orchestrated clapping, dancing in the aisles, and even a little “Rapper’s Delight.”...
The “Hip Hop Nutcracker” is the new Nutcracker standard as far as I’m concerned. The original 19th-century classic, adapted from an E.T.A. Hoffman story and set to Tchaikovsky’s score, has since become a Christmas time mainstay, and now it’s been given a fresh, evocative, and totally funky update. From what I could tell, the audience certainly responded. It was a party at the Strathmore with plenty of orchestrated clapping, dancing in the aisles, and even a little “Rapper’s Delight.”
…fresh, evocative, and totally funky update…It really is a delightful two hours…a performance that isn’t afraid to play with a few traditions in order to create some bold new ones.
The show begins with a lively introduction from the evening’s MC, none other than rap pioneer Mr. Kurtis Blow. It was a triumph of nostalgia as the production opened. Blow brought the audience along on a mini hip-hop journey for the ages. His old school rewind hit all the right notes, “Rapper’s Delight,” “Hip Hop Hooray,” “Just a Friend,” “Jump Around.” Iconic classics spun to perfection by DJ Boo accompanying Blow’s bring-the-house-down renditions.
Scanning the audience, you could immediately tell this was a fond Gen-X moment, with their children, and yes, grandchildren, looking on in awe likely wondering how all these 45+ year-olds knew the words…and the moves.
After warming up the multigenerational crowd, Kurtis Blow turned it over to violinist Vivek Menon whose electrifying violin technique really set the tone for the rest of the performance. Most are familiar with the basic plot of the original ballet. Nutcracker comes to life, a Christmas “battle” ensues between the gingerbread soldiers and the mice led by the Mouse King, a bewildered young Clara looking on. The mice are defeated, the Nutcracker is transformed into a Prince, and he and Clara are whisked off to the delectable domain of the Sugar Plum Fairy.
The Hip Hop Nutcracker sticks with a similar plot while adding in a few modern-day twists: the Nutcracker (Gabriel Emphasis) is now a street vendor. In defense of Maria-Clara (Ann-Sylvia Clarke), the Nutcracker defeats the Mouse King (Randi “Rascal” Freitas, who seemed to be having the time of her life on stage) with the help of Drosselmeyer (the show-stealing Lisa “LBoogie” Bauford) and a pair of red magic sneakers, calling up a definite Dorothy in Oz kind of vibe. The Land of Sweets is now a throwback nightclub, and Maria-Clara ultimately helps her on-the-verge of divorcing parents reconcile.
The show, adapted by Mike Fitelson, deftly blends contemporary themes with the classic roots of this performance. But what it all comes down to, of course, is the dancing. The dancers are expressive; they’re willing to leave it all on the floor; and they compel audiences to want to get up and move. Hip hop set to Tchaikovsky is an experience that you can only truly appreciate firsthand. The fun the ensemble has is unbelievably contagious. Director and choreographer Jennifer Weber provides a distinctively creative point of view here, and it serves the performance well.
There are just so many elements that come together to make The Hip Hop Nutcracker work. The costumes (original design by Whitney Adams) help define hip-hop culture as set against this particular backdrop. They are clever plays on more conventional interpretations of how Nutcracker dancers are generally costumed. Brandon Stirling Baker’s lighting design plays tricks with just about every aspect of the stage and does so brilliantly. And then of course, we have Moe Shahrooz’s inspired video design. The scenes for the performance are established through projected images of city streets and other such backdrops, some prove downright magical—it snows, ornamented Christmas trees spring up out of nowhere—the magic of tech meets the magic of Christmas.
It really is a delightful two hours as you get to see a performance that isn’t afraid to play with a few traditions in order to create some bold new ones.
Running time: Two hours including a twenty-minute intermission.
“The Hip Hop Nutcracker” runs through December 22, 2022 presented by the New Jersey Performing Arts Center at The Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda, MD 20852. For more information and tickets on this and upcoming events, go online. on upcoming events at the Strathmore, click here. Strathmore encourages wearing masks inside their buildings.
A man who grew up going to the movies at the Bow Tie Strathmore Cinemas now plans to convert the space into a craft beer brewery and pub.|Updated Fri, Jul 12, 2019 at 4:04 pm ETThe beloved Bow Tie. (Google Earth)Alternate Ending's Juicy IPA, which will be on tap. (Provided)ABERDEEN, NJ — New Jersey's craft brewery movement has come to Aberdeen: A man who grew up going to the movies at the Bow Tie Strathmore Cinemas now plans to take over the space and convert the Bow Tie into a craft brew pub and restau...
|Updated Fri, Jul 12, 2019 at 4:04 pm ET
The beloved Bow Tie. (Google Earth)
Alternate Ending's Juicy IPA, which will be on tap. (Provided)
ABERDEEN, NJ — New Jersey's craft brewery movement has come to Aberdeen: A man who grew up going to the movies at the Bow Tie Strathmore Cinemas now plans to take over the space and convert the Bow Tie into a craft brew pub and restaurant.
But for those who love the longtime local movie theater, don't completely despair: They will still be showing free movies at the new brewery, once it opens.
The brewery will be called Alternate Ending and they plan to open in the spring of 2020, said business owner Scott Novick, who grew up in Morganville.
Like many area residents, he remembers going to "the Bow Tie" as a kid. Currently, Novick lives in Colts Neck, where he's been brewing beer in his backyard for the past six years.
"I never thought I would be doing this, but this is just a dream come true. The space at the Bow Tie just fell into my lap," said Novick, 38. "I always had dreams of opening up my own brewery, so when I heard through friends there was possibly an opening at Bow Tie, I knew I had to do it. I always thought that would be a cool space for a brewery."
The popular Bow Tie, located on Rt. 34 in Aberdeen, is expected to close at the end of this summer.
"We have gotten some negative feedback from the community on losing the theater," he admitted. "It's sad for me, because I went there, too as a kid. And everyone loves their 'Rocky Horror' midnight movies and stuff like that."
"But we really want to keep the community happy. We're keeping the marquis up on Rt. 34 and we're going to still show movies at the brewery," he continued. "More like quirky, old-school movies like 'Dr. Strangelove' and kids' movies like 'Mulan.' We're completely gutting the interior. It will still have that theater aspect, but we're going to make it more modern."
"I envision the brewery as a place where families can come and get some delicious food, kick back with a few beers, have their kids watch a movie and just relax," he said.
Now let's talk about the beer!
Novick is a self-described "beer nerd." After college, he got a job in his field working in commercial operations for Nickelodeon and VH1. But he loves beer and always had dreams of working in that industry. When a round of layoffs came, Novick said he volunteered.
"I got a big severance package and I knew this was my chance," he said.
Immediately after losing his job, Novick signed up for an online course at a beer brewing school in Vermont. He also got a five-week apprenticeship working at Jughandle Brewing in Tinton Falls. From there, he was hired to work at Other Half Brewing Company in Brooklyn, one of the biggest IPA breweries in the country. He was so eager to get his foot in the door, he volunteered for an overnight shift cleaning the kegs.
"I loved it. I could have stayed there forever and kept learning about the beer-making process," said Novick.
But the long commute into the city and his frequent overnight shifts started to drain on his family. His wife wanted him to find a job closer to home. Novick had always dreamed of opening his own brewery. When he heard the owners of Bow Tie wanted to end their lease, he seized the chance.
"We were able to acquire a liquor license as a restricted brewery, which is pretty rare," said Novick. "There are only about 20 of those in the state that have that. It means we're allowed to serve food, show sporting events and have private parties."
All the beer they serve will be brewed in house.
"We're definitely going to be IPA focused. We've been working on a stout recipe for almost six years now and we think we've perfected it. We'll have five or six IPAs on tap, two different stouts and hopefully some sours," he said. "We haven't hired a chef yet, but the food will be high-end gourmet casual."
New Jersey's craft breweries are definitely having a "moment," with the state giving out more licenses and encouraging their growth. There's Jughandle in Tinton Falls, Raritan Bay Brewing Company in Keansburg, Belford Brewing and a farmhouse brewery is supposed to open soon in Colts Neck, called Source Brewing.
Novick couldn't be happier.
"Breweries are conducive to families. It's fun: You can go and have a beer or two and not get drunk. I envision local families coming in here for a Sunday brunch, having a beer brewed in Aberdeen or a mimosa while a movie plays in the background. I'm just so excited. I get goosebumps thinking about our soft opening."
Their website is aebeer.com and you can find them on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @aebeerco.
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ABERDEEN - The projector is off at Bow Tie Strathmore Cinemas in Aberdeen.The cinema's sign is covered. A township building permit for the interior's demolition, dated last Thursday, is on the door.Replacing the Strathmore at 1055 Route 34 will be the craft brewery and brew pub Alternate Ending Beer Co. ...
ABERDEEN - The projector is off at Bow Tie Strathmore Cinemas in Aberdeen.
The cinema's sign is covered. A township building permit for the interior's demolition, dated last Thursday, is on the door.
Replacing the Strathmore at 1055 Route 34 will be the craft brewery and brew pub Alternate Ending Beer Co. The pub is expected to open in the spring of 2020.
Mayor Fred Tagliarini said the building's landlord expects to start the renovation process next month. Nearby stores also will have new facades too.
"The stores will have a matching look to the restaurant," Tagliarini said. "He is going to renovate the entire shopping center."
Want to know what else is coming to the Jersey Shore? Check out our What's Going There page and be sure to subscribe today so you don't miss a thing.
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Alternate Ending plans to split the 9,000-square-foot building down the middle, with half dedicated to its production space and half for the taproom, which will seat approximately 150 people with additional standing capacity.
Founder and head brewer Scott Novick has said the taproom will also include a room with a 250-inch movie screen for playing classic films, kids' movies and newer releases for free on at least a weekly basis. It also will be available for private parties and corporate events.
Bow Tie Cinemas has owned the Strathmore since 2012, when it took over from Clearview Cinemas. But the building has been a movie theater for decades.
"We are sorry to see it go, but then at the same time, we always appreciate new business coming into town," Tagliarini said. "I guess they just can't compete with the lounge chair theaters, as I call them.
"It certainly has served its purpose over the years," the mayor said.
The Strathmore also was the former home to Friday Nite Specials, the “Rocky Horror Picture Show” performance troupe that’s been celebrating the 1975 cult classic musical with weekly midnight Friday screenings since December 2004.
The show has now been relaunched at Bow Tie's Red Bank theater.
Spot a construction project in Monmouth or Ocean counties and want to know What's Going There? Contact business writer David P. Willis at dwillis@gannettnj.com, and we will look into it for a future column. Meanwhile, stay in touch with the latest developments: Join the What's Going There Facebook group and subscribe to APP.com today.
With another season of bowling on the horizon, it’s never too early to start looking ahead.NJ Advance Media has highlighted some of the key dates for the upcoming boys and girls bowling seasons.This page will be updated throughout the season with recaps of the tournaments around the state. Directors and coaches are encouraged to email us results so recaps can be posted.Let us know if we are missing a tournament. Opening Day is November 27.BOWLING DATES TO KEEPIN-SEASON TOURNAMENTS...
With another season of bowling on the horizon, it’s never too early to start looking ahead.
NJ Advance Media has highlighted some of the key dates for the upcoming boys and girls bowling seasons.
This page will be updated throughout the season with recaps of the tournaments around the state. Directors and coaches are encouraged to email us results so recaps can be posted.
Let us know if we are missing a tournament. Opening Day is November 27.
Dec. 2: Marisa Tufaro Classic (at Majestic Lanes)
Dec. 4: Greg Rottengen Tournament (at Oakwood Lanes)
Dec. 8: Tom Irwin Memorial Crusader Classic (at Bowler City)
Dec. 9: Edison Township Classic (at Majestic Lanes)
Dec. 9: Rule the River Classic (at Ocean Lanes)
Dec. 9: Westfield Blue Devil Classic (at Jersey Lanes)
Dec. 16: Charles A. Simon Baker Challenge (at Majestic Lanes)
Dec. 16: Roll With the Indians Tournament (at Ocean Lanes)
Jan. 6: Brick Tournament (at Ocean Lanes)
Jan. 13: Baker Bonanza (at Bowler City)
Jan. 13: Central Jersey Winter Classic (at Bowlero North Brunswick)
Jan. 20: Ewing Devils Den Co-Ed Invitational (at Slocum Lanes)
Jan. 20: Game of Throws Tournament (at 30 Strikes)
Jan. 20: Woodbridge Classic (at Majestic Lanes)
Jan. 27: Battle at Bristol Tournament (at Bristol Pike)
Jan 27: Lakewood Scotch Doubles (at Ocean Lanes)
Feb. 3: Joe Romer Memorial Tournament (at Bowlero North Brunswick)
Feb. 3: South Jersey Singles Classic (at Ocean Lanes)
Feb. 10: South Jersey Super Bowl (at Ocean Lanes)
Dec. 20: Olympic Conference Holiday Bowl (at Laurel Lanes)
Dec. 21: NJAC Tournament (at Sparta Lanes)
Jan. 12: Passaic County Tournament (at Parkway Lanes)
Jan. 16, 18: Union County Individual Tournament (at Jersey Lanes)
Jan. 17: Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex Tournament (at Oakwood Lanes)
Jan. 18-19: NJTAC Tournament (at Bowlero-North Brunswick)
Jan. 19: Union County Teams Tournament (at Jersey Lanes)
Jan. 25: Morris County Tournament (at Rockaway Lanes)
Jan. 27: Bergen County Girls Team Tournament (at Bowler City)
Jan. 29, 30: Greater Middlesex Conference Individual Tournament (at Majestic Lanes)
Jan. 30: Ocean County Tournament (at Ocean Lanes)
Feb. 1: Burlington County Scholastic League Open (at Laurel Lanes)
Feb. 3: Bergen County Boys Team Tournament (at Bowler City)
Feb. 1: HCIAL Championship (at Bowl Rite)
Feb. 1, 5, 6, 7: Greater Middlesex Conference Team Tournament (at Majestic Lanes)
Feb. 5: Hudson County Boys Team Tournament (at Hudson Lanes)
Feb. 6: Bergen County Boys Individual Tournament (at Bowler City)
Feb. 6: Essex County Team Tournament (at Hanover Lanes)
Feb. 6: Shore Conference Individual Tournament (at Ocean Lanes)
Feb. 6: Tri-County Conference Showcase (at 30 Strikes in Stratford)
Feb. 8: Bergen County Girls Individual Tournament (at Montvale Lanes)
Feb. 8: Hudson King & Queen Tournament (at Bowl Rite)
Feb. 8: Shore Conference Boys Team Tournament (at Ocean Lanes)
Feb. 8: Skyland Conference Tournament (at Oakwood Lanes)
Feb. 5: Hudson County Girls Team Tournament (at Hudson Lanes)
Feb. 13: Essex County Individual Tournament (at Hanover Lanes)
Feb. 13: NJIC Tournament (at Parkway Lanes)
Feb. 15: Shore Conference Girls Team Tournament (at Ocean Lanes
TBD Monmouth County Tournament (at Strathmore Lanes)
TBD Bayshore Holiday Classic (at Strathmore Lanes)
Feb. 14: State Team Tournament Round 1 (at higher seed)
Feb. 20: State Team Tournament Semifinals (at higher seed)
Feb. 23: State Team Tournament Finals (at higher seed)
Feb. 24: North 1 Sectionals (at Bowler City)
Feb. 24: North 2 Sectionals (at Bowlero North Brunswick)
Feb. 24: Central Jersey Sectionals (at Bowlero North Brunswick)
Feb. 24: South Jersey Sectionals (at Laurel Lanes)
Feb. 27: State Team Semifinals and Finals (at Bowlero North Brunswick)
Feb. 29: State Individual Championships (at Bowlero North Brunswick)
Chris Nalwasky may be reached at Facebook | Instagram | X (formerly Twitter).
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HOWELL - Jerry Lewis has nothing on the parents at Mother Seton Academy.While the late comedian made a name as the multimillion-dollar fundraiser for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, these Catholic school parents are forging their own reputation for gathering contributions for a good cause: their kids’ education....
HOWELL - Jerry Lewis has nothing on the parents at Mother Seton Academy.
While the late comedian made a name as the multimillion-dollar fundraiser for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, these Catholic school parents are forging their own reputation for gathering contributions for a good cause: their kids’ education.
Less than two months after the Diocese of Trenton announced that the pre-K-to-eighth-grade school would be closing in June because of a $140,000 debt, parents say they have raised more than $103,000 and hope to top $250,000 before they’re done.
“We really went grassroots, and it is very old school,” said Andrea DeMarco Lopes, whose son, Preston, is a seventh grader. “We’re knocking on doors, canvassing and getting our children involved.”
'We were blindsided':Parents organize to try to save Mother Seton Academy in Howell
Diocese officials say there has been no change in the plan to close the school, but stressed it is up to the local pastors at St. Aloysius Parish in Jackson and St. Veronica Parish in Howell that operate the school.
Neither pastor has responded to requests for comment or shown an indication that more fundraising could head off a closure.
But parents are not backing down.
Just days after the diocese announced on Dec. 31 that the school would close at the end of the 2021-2022 school year, citing the deficit and claims of an untenable financial situation, parents went into action.
After holding a meeting that drew dozens of moms and dads, they began an outreach campaign, launched a Facebook page (Save Mother Seton Academy) and created a nonprofit organization named Friends of Mother Seton Academy.
“We have walked into businesses and asked for donations and people are reaching out to their landscaper, their dog walker, anyone who provides them services,” DeMarco Lopes said. “It is all tax deductible.”
A slew of events are being held, ranging from a Facebook telethon set for Sunday to a pancake breakfast slated for Feb. 27 at the Knights of Columbus in Jackson. Among the guests of honor at the breakfast will be Christie Pearce Rampone, the Olympic soccer champ and Point Pleasant product.
Catholic education:Christian Brothers Academy appoints first lay person as president
Other scheduled happenings include canning drives on Saturday and Sunday outside Big City Bagels in Howell, and a Polar Bear Plunge on March 5 in Sea Bright in which volunteers will brave the cold for sponsored donations.
“It makes me feel good,” said Kristanne Leggio, a mother of two Mother Seton students, referring to the donations that have come so far. “We are looking for an angel donor, that one philanthropic person. We have a ton of support and people are giving what they can.”
The Diocese of Trenton, which oversees the grade school, cited enrollment declines from 300 to 126 students in just the past two years, along with the debt, when the closing announcement occurred at the end of December.
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Specifically, it was the decision of the two local parishes that operate the school and their pastors that it be closed. Those are the Rev. John P. Bambrick of St. Aloysius Parish in Jackson and the Rev. Peter J. Alindogan of St. Veronica Parish in Howell.
“As co-directors of Mother Seton Academy, we write to you today to announce a sad, but unavoidable decision about the future of our school,” the pastors said in a letter to parishioners and parents last month. "After careful analysis of enrollment and financial challenges; consultation with advisers at the parish and diocesan levels, and prayerful discernment of any available options, we must formally announce the closing of Mother Seton Academy at the end of the present school year.”
But dozens of parents believe they can make up the difference when it comes to funding.
“It is a lot of arbitrary decision-making being made and never coming to the stakeholders,” Leggio said about the closing plan. “They didn’t even give us any options.”
Among the major donations are those from a long list of local businesses, according to DeMarco Lopes, who said parents are asking those businesses they use regularly and walking into local shops for direct requests.
“I know it has been in the community for a long time and we have friends whose children go there. I wanted to help if I could lend a hand,” said Keith Strathmore, owner of Strathmore Air Conditioning in Old Bridge, who gave $1,000. “Every little bit helps. If it was a church I was a part of and it was going through it, I would hope some stranger would do the same thing.”
Tony Conte, owner of Tony C Landscaping in Barnegat, agreed after giving his own donation: “My grandchildren go there, it is a great school, and there are not a lot of Catholic Schools around. It is a shame, hopefully they can get all of that money.”
Then there are the videos that are strewn throughout the Foundation’s Facebook page, with images of students explaining their love of the school and asking for contributions.
Under the terms of the nonprofit status, the Friends of Mother Seton Academy is not spending any of the money being collected until a decision is made to keep the school open. If that occurs, it would be donated to the school’s operation, organizers said. If it does not remain open, it would all be returned.
“Our goal is to raise as much as possible,” said DeMarco Lopes. “Ultimately our goals is looking at $250,000 to $500,000, going to the bishop and telling them what we have raised.”
But diocese spokesperson Rayanne Bennett stressed that it is not up to the diocese to decide, noting it is the local pastors who have the final say.
Leggio hopes that enough money can be raised to make it difficult for the local pastors to close the school: “If we had $500,000 in the bank they would have a hard time saying it’s a no-go.”
Joe Strupp is an award-winning journalist with 30 years’ experience who covers education and several local communities for APP.com and the Asbury Park Press. He is also the author of three books, including Killing Journalism on the state of the news media, and an adjunct media professor at Rutgers University and Fairleigh Dickinson University. Reach him at jstrupp@gannettnj.com and at 732-413-3840. Follow him on Twitter at @joestrupp