Chiropractor in Iselin, NJ

Jalen Fleming was anxious to put his approaching milestone behind him as quickly as possible, though also hoped to do within the natural rhythm of the action.

With teammates like Chukwudi Raphael Mamah rebounding and blocking shots at the other end and anyone in a Timothy Christian jersey who wasn’t Fleming looking to pass to their junior star, that rhythm was being tapped out in presto time.

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Fleming began the game 27 points shy of 1,000 career points and reached that milestone in just under 16 minutes with the help of a feathery jumper and those many selfless buddies. He finished with a game-high 26 points and now 1,003 overall to steer his Tigers to a 66-41 victory over Iselin Kennedy in a Greater Middlesex Conference-Blue Division clash Friday night in the opener for both in Piscataway.

The moment a buzzing home crowd was waiting for occurred with a defensive rebound and then a long pass down the floor from Mamah to Fleming, who laid the ball up for a 36-16 lead with 20.4 seconds remaining in the first half. Iselin Kennedy inbounded, but soon threw the ball away at the other end. At that point, with 9.7 seconds to go, officials stopped the game off the turnover so Fleming could be celebrated at midcourt with a commemorative ball, balloons, placards and a while bunch of proud family members and friends.

“It was great to get it over with, enjoy the moment so I could get to spend the rest of the game sharing with all my brothers,” the 6-4 swing said.

A perfect chain of events considering how willingly the other Tigers had been about sharing in order to accelerate Fleming’s chances. He came into the game averaging 22.6 points a game in his first two seasons.

Junior guard Myles Dickerson scored 20 points (14 in the second half) and had five assists, including two to Fleming in the opening half. The 6-7 Mamah, a junior who came to Timothy Christian by way of Nigeria, filled up the stat sheet in his first game with 10 points, 15 rebounds, four assists, five steals and four blocks. Three of those assists were first-half conversions by, yep, Fleming.

Sophomore swing Grant Lorentzen scored 13 points and had four rebounds and a block, and junior guard Elias Pringle scored 10 points for a Kennedy that was without two returning starters due to injury, junior Marcus Bullock and senior Matthew Cook.

“We wanted to make it about Jalen and we wanted to get it within the rhythm, and better than anyone could have expected, he got it out of the way early,” head coach Dennis McNulty said. “He could breathe a sigh of relief and celebrate with his teammates and his family. Couldn’t have asked for any better.

“It’s one of those numbers (needing 23) that he’s about at, but nothing is a given,” McNulty said. “The officials were teasing and said, ‘You should have said something.’ I said, ‘Nah, I’m a baseball guy; I didn’t want to jinx it.’ "

In that productive, historic opening half, Timothy Christian hit on 14 of 28 shots from the floor and compiled assists on nine of those 14 buckets. Fleming knocked down his nine baskets that half off seven passes. He wasn’t just shooting either as he also took down four of his seven rebounds and had two of his three steals.

“It speaks to the character of our team. They’re willing to share the ball and that’s one of the things I love about them,” Fleming said. “We help each other achieve our goals.”

Fleming looked for only a few shots in the second half with his shining moment behind him, and sort of stepped out of the limelight to make room for Dickerson.

The electrifying guard who averaged 16.0 ppg. last season, struck for seven points in the third quarter to steer the Tigers to a 53-32 lead, then netted another seven in the fourth for his 20 points.

“I thought it was a good job by Dickerson (in the first half), recognizing that it was Fleming’s night, and kind of deferring there. He got it going in the second half, too,” McNulty said.

While Fleming scorched the nets in the first two quarters and Dickerson assumed that role in the final two, Mamah was a burdensome handful for every quarter and pratically every possession for Iselin Kennedy. He came up with a steal on the Mustangs’ opening possession and proceeded to record one more steal, four rebounds and three blocks. In that quarter.

“Having him there definitely means we can play more ball denial. We played a lot of that tonight. We don’t have to help as hard with him in the paint,” Fleming said.

“He’s a pass-first player and his work ethic is unmatched,” he said. “He can play in the paint or on the wing; his versatility is just outstanding.”

Mike Kinney can be reached at mkinney@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) @MikeKinneyHS.

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A house in Colonia that sold for $1.1 million tops the list of the most expensive residential real estate sales in Woodbridge area in the past week.

In total, 19 residential real estate sales were recorded in the area during the past week, with an average price of $451,411, $345 per square foot.

The prices in the list below concern real estate sales where the title was recorded during the week of Aug. 7 even if the property may have been sold earlier.

10. $409,505, single-family residence at 22 N. Oak Ave.

The sale of the single-family residence at 22 N. Oak Ave., Iselin, has been finalized. The price was $409,505, and the new owners took over the house in July. The house was built in 1961 and has a living area of 1,238 square feet. The price per square foot was $331. The deal was finalized on Jul. 24.

9. $420,000, single-family house at 10 Universal Ave.

The property at 10 Universal Ave. in Iselin has new owners. The price was $420,000. The house was built in 1947 and has a living area of 997 square feet. The price per square foot is $421. The deal was finalized on Jul. 25.

8. $430,000, detached house at 86 Bridge Street

The 1,024 square-foot single-family home at 86 Bridge Street in Sewaren has been sold. The transfer of ownership was settled in July and the total purchase price was $430,000, $420 per square foot. The house was built in 1959. The deal was finalized on Jul. 31.

7. $435,000, single-family home at 510 Rahway Ave.

The 1,779 square-foot single-family residence at 510 Rahway Ave., Woodbridge, has been sold. The transfer of ownership was settled in July and the total purchase price was $435,000, $245 per square foot. The house was built in 1934. The deal was finalized on Jul. 25.

6. $438,000, single-family house at 217 Bergen Street

The property at 217 Bergen Street in Woodbridge has new owners. The price was $438,000. The house was built in 1943 and has a living area of 1,113 square feet. The price per square foot is $394. The deal was finalized on Jul. 21.

5. $575,000, single-family residence at 2 Chase Ave.

The sale of the single family residence at 2 Chase Ave. in Avenel has been finalized. The price was $575,000, and the new owners took over the house in July. The house was built in 1964 and has a living area of 1,548 square feet. The price per square foot was $371. The deal was finalized on Jul. 26.

4. $605,000, detached house at 123 Larch Street

A sale has been finalized for the single-family house at 123 Larch Street in Port Reading. The price was $605,000 and the new owners took over the house in July. The house was built in 1916 and the living area totals 1,756 square feet. The price per square foot ended up at $345. The deal was finalized on Jul. 28.

3. $655,000, single-family home at 153 Bucknell Ave.

The 1,954 square-foot detached house at 153 Bucknell Ave., Woodbridge, has been sold. The transfer of ownership was settled in July and the total purchase price was $655,000, $335 per square foot. The house was built in 2012. The deal was finalized on Jul. 21.

2. $700,000, single-family house at 220 Florence Ave.

The sale of the single-family house at 220 Florence Ave., Colonia, has been finalized. The price was $700,000, and the house changed hands in July. The house was built in 1954 and has a living area of 2,096 square feet. The price per square foot was $334. The deal was finalized on Jul. 27.

1. $1.1 million, single-family residence at 64 Stratford Drive

The 2,781 square-foot detached house at 64 Stratford Drive in Colonia has been sold. The transfer of ownership was settled in July and the total purchase price was $1,100,000, $396 per square foot. The house was built in 1964. The deal was finalized on Jul. 28.

Real Estate Newswire is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to generate analysis of data from Propmix, an aggregator of national real-estate data.

Here’s resident Loretta Krason Catino’s vintage Iselin Fair poster that became the model for an integral part of the new Green Street murals.

Artists Melissa LoCascio (left) and Kimberley Zadigian (right) in front of their rendering of a vintage Iselin Fair poster that resident Loretta Krason Catino posted on social media.Photo Credit: KIMBERLEY ZADIGIAN

Photo Credit: KIMBERLEY ZADIGIAN

Photo Credit: KIMBERLEY ZADIGIAN

Artist Kimberley Zadigian, a Woodbridge High School art teacher since 2012, works up close to outline a new section of the mural under the Amtrak railroad bridge.Photo Credit: MELISSA LoCASCIO

Iselin resident Susana Monteiro snapped this photo from her car. It racked up over 325 “Likes,” and nearly 130 positive comments on the“I Love Iselin NJ” Facebook page.Photo Credit: SUSANA MONTEIRO/FACEBOOK

Melissa LoCascio works on more lettering for the new Green Street murals.Photo Credit: KIMBERLEY ZADIGIAN

Here’s resident Loretta Krason Catino’s vintage Iselin Fair poster that became the model for an integral part of the new Green Street murals.Photo Credit: LORETTA KRASON CATINO/FACEBOOK

Artists Melissa LoCascio (left) and Kimberley Zadigian (right) in front of their rendering of a vintage Iselin Fair poster that resident Loretta Krason Catino posted on social media.Photo Credit: KIMBERLEY ZADIGIAN

By TONY GALLOTTO

Last UpdatedAugust 17, 2023 at 4:22 PM

WOODBRIDGE, NJ — Two artists are bringing ‘Iselin of yesteryear’ back to life.

The duo, Kimberley Zadigian and Melissa LoCascio, are working on huge, colorful murals under the Amtrak railroad bridge along busy Green Street.

The murals depict scenes from Iselin in 1960s and ‘70s, and the iconic Iselin Fair from those days.

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Still underway, the murals are rekindling a flood of fond memories for hundreds of passing motorists who have been watching the artists’ progress and have voiced appreciation on social media.

Zadigian and LoCascio are painting on sweltering days, and even on rainy days, with good reason. They are Woodbridge High School art teachers and hope to finish before school starts Sept. 5.

“It’s been challenging, but it is coming together,” Zadigian said. “People have been so kind. A few brought us water or sodas so we stay hydrated, some even offered us lunch.”

Woodbridge commissioned Zadigian and LoCascio for these sizable murals as part of its ongoing beautification effort, Mayor John E. McCormac said, noting these murals have been on the town’s drawing board since 2021.

“We went through many versions of drawings, and did extensive research for old pictures before settling on final designs for these murals,” McCormac said.

Woodbridge negotiated their appearance with Amtrak, the railroad bridge’s owners, before the town green-lighted the project in June. “We’ve started working June 30, and it’s going really well,” Zadigian said.

There are challenges, mostly due to rain. “Water comes down the walls from train tracks above, sometimes smearing the paint. So, we must redo it or it touch up,” LoCascio said. “Frustrating, but it’s just part of the job.”

FOND MEMORIES

Even unfinished, Zadigian and LoCascio’s work evokes heartfelt memories of Iselin’s bygone days and the iconic Iselin Fair.

Many passersby are posting remembrances on the “I Love Iselin NJ” Facebook site. And Mayor McCormac gave TAPinto Woodbridge some fond childhood memories of growing up in Menlo Park Terrace.

“We were directly tied to the Iselin community through St. Cecelia’s Church and school, and its downtown,” McCormac said. “Growing up, the Iselin Fair was iconic. For a week, every July, we would ride the Bullet, the Scrambler, the Octopus, the Ferris Wheel and Tilt-a-Whirl. We played (carnival) games for just a dime.

“Our moms prepared food during the days. Dads worked nights, grilling ribs, shucking clams and pouring beer. Kids could walk around by themselves and be safe because other parents were always on the lookout,” the mayor said.

“Downtown Iselin, in those days, had everything,” McCormac continued. “There was no reason to go anywhere else. We had the Iselin Theater, Eagle Hardware, Jimmy’s Meat Market, Harry Kline’s, the Esso gas station and, of course, Flip’s, Hank’s, Jack & Earl’s and The Pioneer.”

“It’s a thrill to recreate those memories with these murals smack in the middle of Iselin,” the mayor said.

Iselin resident Susana Monteiro has seen the murals’ progress on her way to work each morning. “They look amazing. Those (artists) are out there constantly,” Monteiro said.

Her daughter, Ashley, a JFK High School senior, hopes to study art in college. “I brought her by so Ashley could see what these women accomplished … it’s really great work.”

Monteiro also snapped a photo from her car window one morning to post on the “I Love Iselin NJ” Facebook page. It racked up over 325 “likes,” and nearly 130 appreciative comments from others who shared their memories of Iselin and the Iselin Fair from back in the day.

Here are a few excerpts from the many Facebook posts:

● “When I saw the Iselin fair panel under the bridge, for a moment, I thought the fair was back in town. Although it is just a memory now, it’s a wonderful memory. Bravo to those artistic ladies, who are bringing some history back to Iselin.” — Lorraine Davis

● “Ladies (you) should have had a tip jar or a bucket. All residents of Iselin, past and present, should leave (you) monetary thanks for your beautiful work.” — Patrick J. Moran

● “The young ladies who are painting the murals on the underpass at Route 27 and Oak Tree Road/Green Street are doing a beautiful job!” — Gail Rezmerski

● “Cool! Never in a million years would I think they'd memorialize the Iselin Fair.” — Deborah Paloti

● “This looks great and brings back memories!” — Glenn Nier

● “They are doing an awesome job!” — John Miele

NOT FIRST–TIMERS

The two hard-working artists are experienced mural-makers.

LoCascio has done a few murals elsewhere, including for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Lodi/Hackensack/Teaneck.

“I have never done anything outdoors. Nothing as big as these in Iselin,” she said. “It’s been a good learning experience.”

Zadigian, on the other hand, is a veteran. A high school teacher here since 2012, she was first commissioned by Woodbridge in 2015 to work on murals under the Avenel Street train bridge. That turned into a three-year endeavor.

First, she and her friend Amanda Hatzikyriakou, a Cedar Grove art teacher, spruced up an existing ocean-themed mural there.

The following year, they spent six weeks painting and directing more than 50 youngsters, teens and adult volunteers to create a farm-themed mural, with a “Greetings From Avenel” logo.

And, in 2017, Zadigian and Hatzikyriakou painted and supervised more local volunteers for a large, zoo-themed Avenel Street mural. Those projects also got an outpouring of positive community attention.

“People would stop by with water, or with Dunkin' Donuts. Many came to support us. It was so nice to be a part of something that brought so many (people) together,” Zadigian said at that time.

In 2019, Zadigian and local art teacher Becky Schwartzstein created a Main Street veterans mural featuring the Statue of Liberty, a Bald Eagle, the American flag, five military flags and six historic American flags.

Contact Tony Gallotto at tgallotto@tapinto.net with news tips or interesting feature ideas.

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By TONY GALLOTTO

PublishedJanuary 5, 2024 at 11:40 AM

WOODBRIDGE, NJ — The once-bustling TGI Friday on Gill Lane in Iselin is among seven New Jersey restaurants that its Dallas-based parent company suddenly shut down this week, calling them “under-performing.”

Iselin’s TGI Friday, at 401 Gill Lane, has been a fixture at The Plaza at Woodbridge for nearly two decades.

“I stopped by at (TGI Fridays, Iselin) on Wednesday to make (arrangements) for my son’s 14th birthday party. It was locked up at lunchtime. A sign on the door said it was closed. How awful,” area resident Helen Wright told TAPinto Woodbridge in an email.

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Another unidentified reader’s email said, “This stinks! Guys I work with … we ended many work-weeks and had good times (there) on Fridays.”

Fans of this casual dining chain’s signature whiskey-glazed burgers, loaded potato-skins, and frozen daiquiris can still find them at 16 other TGI Friday New Jersey locations, the closest in Piscataway, North Brunswick, Old Bridge and Linden.

Other New Jersey TGI Fridays, now closed, include:

● 411 Hackensack Ave., Hackensack

● 71 Route 23 South, Wayne

● 180 Route 35, Eatontown

● 40 Route 22, Springfield

● 970 Route 73 North, Marlton

● 3535 Route 1, Princeton

New Jersey had the most closures, followed by Massachusetts with six; New York with five; and Texas and Virginia with four each. There were also closings in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Maryland, New Hampshire and Pennsylvania.

Founded in New York nearly 60 years ago, TGI Fridays still has over 250 restaurants in the U.S., and 500 more 55 other countries. The chain was acquired in 2014 by TriArtisan Capital Advisors, a private equity firm that also owns P.F. Chang’s and Hooters.

Please visit TAPinto Woodbridge-Carteret for more local news and features, and follow us on Facebook.

We rely on loyal readers like you. Please sign up for our FREE daily news updates, and download our mobile app for Android or iOS. Contact our editor Tony Gallotto at tgallotto@tapinto.net with news tips or interesting feature ideas.

ISELIN, NJ -- Sophomore right-hander Ryan Leach allowed just one hit after the first inning and Woodbridge rallied with four runs in the top of the seventh inning for a 4-2 baseball victory over JFK of Iselin on Thursday.

Leach finished with a three-hitter. The Mustangs scored both of their runs against him in the first inning, and JFK right-hander R.J. Coleman made that 2-0 lead stand up for six innings before Woodbridge (14-5) broke through against him in its last turn at bat.

Jeremy Ricourt, who is batting over .500, led off the bottom of the first with a triple. Justin Rodriguez was hit by a pitch with one out, and he stole second. Cleanup hitter Donovan Claiborne followed with an opposite-field two-run double into the left-field corner.

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Leach got the next two batters with a called strike three and a flyout, and he just kept getting better from there.

He finished with seven strikeouts and four walks. Five of those seven strikeouts came on curves.

“When I start, I usually save myself so that I have the stuff in reserve for when I really need it,” Leach said. “My fastball was on, and with the curve, my go-to spot is usually on the outside corner.”

Both Leach and Coleman, who struck out six but walked seven, both had to deal with a strike zone that was on the tight side on Thursday.

“The two balls they (JFK) hit for extra-base hits in the first inning, I thought maybe our outfielders could have made those plays, but after that, Ryan was great,” Woodbridge coach Mike Monaco said. “Ryan has great stuff, and he’s only a sophomore. He has cut down his walks exponentially in his last few starts, and that’s allowed us to keep him in games for longer. Even his four walks, those were competitive pitches. He was around the zone.”

Through six innings, Coleman, throwing a slider with a tight rotation, was working on a three-hitter of his own for the Mustangs (10-9). Woodbridge’s No. 8 hitter, Rob Bunten, started the seventh by drawing a four-pitch walk. No. 9 hitter Dean Fiore followed with a double to deep left, sending Bunten to third and turning the Barrons’ lineup over.

“In the middle of the game I challenged those guys at the bottom of the order to give us more competitive at bats so we could flip it over to the top of the order,” Monaco said. “Fiore hadn’t had a good day until that point, but he hit the ball in the gap (in the seventh) when we needed it.”

A.J. Bosch was up next and jumped on a first-pitch slider and grounded it through the middle for a two-run single to tie the game. Bosch’s father, Alex, was an All-State catcher on that very same field when he played at JFK High School for coach Jerry Smith Sr. in the 1990s.

Tyler Weber singled to center, Ty Kobylakiewicz drew a walk to load the bases, and Drew Lukachyk was hit by a pitch to force in a run. Shawn Kish capped the rally against freshman reliever Myles Ulaky with an RBI single to left—his second hit of the day--before Ulaky got a grounder for a 6-2 force at the plate, and then the Mustangs escaped further trouble when center fielder Gabriel Perez caught Tim Deignan’s fly and then Perez threw a perfect strike to home plate as catcher Braden Mellage applied the tag on Lukachyk for the third out.

The Mustangs definitely brought their “A” game defensively, as third baseman Kevin Portoreal turned in two fielding gems and first baseman Claiborne also made a fine play in the field.