Chiropractor in Shark River Hills, NJ

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What is a Shore summer without a picture perfect sunset?

Get ready to take out your phones at some of our favorite spots to watch the sunset:

9th Ave Pier, Belmar

If you've ever crossed the Belmar bridge at the right time, you've been lucky enough to catch some of the Shore's most stunning sunsets.

Make the moment last at Belmar Marina.

The marina's latest addition, 9th Ave Pier, offers delicious dining, cocktails and live entertainment, as well as views overlooking Shark River.

Be sure to head over in the evening to catch the sun's reflection over the river.

Visit 9thavepier.com or call 732-749-3800 for more information. 9th Ave Pier is at 905 Route 35, Belmar.

Biergarten roof, Asbury

Stop by the 9,000-square-foot rooftop deck at Asbury Festhalle and Biergarten, where you can experience views of Wesley Lake, Ocean Grove, the Asbury Park Casino and the ocean.

WATCH: Baby ducks fly from the Biergarten roof

"People often feel as if they have been transported to Europe," Jennifer Lampert, partner at the Biergarten, said. She added that the rooftop is covered in trees and horizontal gardens to enhance the al fresco experience.

Chris Brown started working as the assistant general manager at the Biergarten for a year, but he's been going to the Austro-Hungarian bar since its soft opening.

"The roof deck is one of my favorite places to hang anywhere," Brown said. "The views and sunsets are gorgeous, and the vibe transports you to an oasis away from all of the hustle and bustle of day to day life. It has a very backyard atmosphere, which lends itself to camping out at one of the tables with friends and maybe making some new ones."

Visit asburybiergarten.com or call 732-997-8767 for more information. The Biergarten is at 527 Lake Ave., Asbury Park.

Manasquan Reservoir, Howell

Immerse yourself in nature at Manasquan Reservoir, where you can enjoy a day full of fishing, boating or walking some of the most beautiful trails.

The reservoir features 1,204 acres of land and water, and a 5-mile perimeter trail.

Nothing beats the sunsets over the water — be sure to rent a kayak or rowboat to capture the beauty of the area.

Visit monmouthcountyparks.com or call 732-919-0996 for more information. Manasquan Reservoir’s visitor center is at 311 Windeler Road in Howell.

Island Beach State Park

This preserved barrier island features 10 miles of beautiful sandy beach with a stunning shoreline along Barnegat Bay, maritime forests, sand dunes, tidal marshes, and views of the ocean.

Catch beautiful views of the sunsets over this natural island, which was voted the best beach by our readers.

Visit islandbeachnj.org for more information.

Barnegat Lighthouse

Located on the northern tip of Long Beach Island, Barnegat Lighthouse once operated as a crucial change of course point for vessels.

Vessels heading to and from New York depended on the lighthouse to avoid hitting the shoreline. It was first lit in 1859.

Today, the lighthouse can serve as a beautiful backdrop for sunset pictures that set over the Barnegat Bay.

The surrounding area, Barnegat Lighthouse State Park, also provides plenty of wildlife spottings and serenity.

Visit state.nj.us for more information.

New Jersey has a new but controversial system that graded every school on a 0-100 scale. Find out how your school did, and how it ranks.

|Updated Thu, Feb 1, 2018 at 5:42 am ET

New Jersey has a new but controversial rating system that graded every school on a 1-100 scale — a system educators say paints an incomplete picture of the state's 2,100 schools (see entire list below).

The ratings for high schools are based on graduation and absenteeism rates and PARCC scores, while elementary and middle school scores are based on absenteeism, PARCC and student progress on PARCC tests, according to the state Department of Education.

The new ratings were established to comply with the federal Every Student Succeeds Act, which replaced the controversial No Child Left Behind Act. ESSA was enacted in 2015, and it was intended to "build on key areas of progress in recent years, made possible by the efforts of educators, communities, parents, and students across the country," according to the U.S. Department of Education.

Frank Belluscio, a spokesman for the New Jersey School Boards Association, said a single number or letter grade by itself "draws an incomplete picture of school performance and the quality of education provided to its students."

On the other hand, New Jersey PTA president Rose Acerra said her group is "excited about the new performance reports."

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

"Parents now have more information than ever before," she said. "They have the tools to ask questions of their teachers and other stakeholders such as the superintendent, principal, and Board of Education."

Based on the reports, it appears that schools that finished with at least a 50 score could be considered average, falling within the 50 percentile. Anything above 70 appeared to be around the top 20 percent.

Patch obtained the "summative determination" scores from the state Department of Education, which shows Merritt Memorial Elementary School in Cresskill, Bergen County; Dr. Ronald McNair High School in Jersey City; and Central Jersey College Prep in Franklin Township, Somerset County getting the highest scores (100).

Three schools got zeros: Knowledge Advanced Skills in North Bergen; Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary in Trenton; and South Amboy Middle/High School.

Here is the complete list:

Shutterstock Photo

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NEPTUNE TOWNSHIP, NJ — Everyone loves to check out houses decorated for Halloween. And one home in Shark River Hills not only has one of the largest displays in the area, but also collects money for kids fighting cancer.

The home is located at 113 Highland Avenue in Shark River Hills in Neptune and it's owned by Jim and Laura Granelli.

Jim said he always loved to decorate for Halloween, but he started collecting money for pediatric cancer research seven years ago, after he himself was diagnosed with cancer.

Last year, one Jersey Shore family gave a private anonymous donation to the Halloween display in memory of their son, Colin, who was born with a rare brain tumor and passed away. The Granellis shared a note from the family who said their display made them smile and "helped with the healing" of Colin's death.

Jim and Laura also have a QR code if you simply would like to donate to the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation.

This year's theme is Bizzaro Circus & Midway, and the Granellis say their home is most likely the biggest and most elaborate Halloween display in the area. The couple says they've added new additions and more haunted spirits this year, with nearly 3,000 square feet dedicated to the display. They have fog machines, spooky music and more than 14 animatronics as well as lively ghosts "who may even be visiting on Halloween night."

"And, if the spirits are feeling generous, there might be a surprise or two," said Laura Granelli. “We’ve been doing Halloween big for some 13 years now, especially after Hurricane Sandy to thank volunteers who helped us after the storm and to give back. Jim’s really built it up over the years and many of the display pieces are handmade. Not only will two animatronics be returning this year after being asleep in the crypt for a couple of years, but all the old standbys are also back along with new ones. And to be sure there will be new items to haunt our visitors."

"It’s a lot of work to set up and maintain, but it’s worth it considering the laughter from children and adults alike," she said. "Even our dearly departed Labradors, Jessie and Delia will be showing up.”

Their home also just happens to be located right next door to a "haunted" graveyard.

Two long-running New Jersey EMS organizations merged on Jan. 1 to create a stronger operation to serve their communities, it was announced by the leadership of Shark River Hills First Aid Squad, Inc. and Hamilton First Aid & Rescue Squad.

To start 2021, Hamilton First Aid & Rescue Squad will officially become part of the Shark River Hills First Aid Squad, creating a more sustainable entity to provide volunteer Emergency Medical Services within Neptune Township, a community of more than 27,000 people overall.

“The community will benefit from the strengthening of the volunteer EMS program,” said Michael Bascom, chief of the Shark River Hills First Aid Squad. “By combining with Shark River Hills, Hamilton First Aid & Rescue Squad’s members will be teamed with Shark River members to provide expanded coverage to the region.”

The merger has been months in the works and is a reflection of the changing demographics, the evolving volunteer EMS workforce and a dedication to the needs of the community by both squads, Bascom said.

“To maintain the best possible community service, you must change with the times,” said Mike DiLeo, captain of Hamilton First Aid & Rescue Squad. “Increased call volume and responsibilities, along with changes in the way the community volunteers, require changes to the way we deliver prehospital care. The constant improvements in technology and training provide for better prehospital care and outcomes. These must be combined with the ability to provide timely, quality care.”

Facing the challenges of meeting the increased call volume, the leadership of the Hamilton First Aid & Rescue Squad agreed that a merger with Shark River Hills was in the best interest of the community. As of Jan. 1, all of Hamilton First Aid’s assets, including its building, were transferred to Shark River Hills First Aid.

“They recognized the need and came up with a plan to make sure their residents get the coverage they expect when they dial 911 for help,” said Bascom.

The merger completes a circle of sorts. Hamilton First Aid was launched on Jan. 1, 1956 as a way to meet the growing needs of the Hamilton section of Neptune Township.

The squad launched with help from Neptune First Aid, which loaned Hamilton a 1939 La Salle ambulance.

In 1960, Hamilton First Aid & Rescue Squad bought land on Rt. 33 and built its own headquarters.

Then, 50 years ago in 1970, members of Hamilton created the Shark River Hills First Aid Squad.

Now, together, Hamilton and Shark River Hills will become one operating under the Neptune Township Emergency Medical Services umbrella, a career and volunteer operation, which also includes the Ocean Grove First Aid Squad and Neptune First Aid Squad. Neptune Township Emergency Medical Services employs career EMS providers to respond to calls Monday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Volunteer responders cover the rest of the hours and all day Sunday.

“Hamilton First Aid & Rescue Squad had a strong 65 years of service,” said Bascom. “They have an illustrious history responding to local calls and some of the major disasters that have hit this area, including Superstorm Sandy and participating in the response to 9/11.”

Initially, Bascom said Shark River Hills First Aid will provide service to the Hamilton portion of the township by operating a crew out of the Hamilton First Aid building at 3600 State Route 33 in Neptune.

Bascom also says the township is early in the process of developing an extensive volunteer recruitment and retention program to enhance the membership of the Neptune Township EMS operation across the board.

As for residents of the Hamilton section of town, Bascom says the expectation is the change from Hamilton First Aid & Rescue Squad to Shark River Hills First Aid Squad will be seamless and undetected by most residents.

“The merger will ensure the residents continue to get the best emergency medical service provided by highly trained members when they need it, whenever they need it,” said Bascom. “The combination of these two organizations is a good thing for our community, for the membership of these two legendary EMS operations, and for the future of volunteer EMS in New Jersey.”

To learn more about how you can become a member of the Shark River Hills First Aid Squad, visit www.srhfas.org or follow SHFAS on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SRHFAS/.

Ocean Grove seems to be quite the bucolic town with its quaint Main Avenue and balmy boardwalk.

Except, it's not. Ocean Grove — as town-like as it may seem — is but a small subset of the larger Neptune.

Don't snicker, Lincroft. Similarly, you are a part of Middletown, right alongside Leonardo, Navesink and some 27 other localities — unincorporated areas that may have a name, but aren't their own towns.

Want to test your knowledge? Take the quiz in the video at the top of the page to see if you can tell a real New Jersey town from those that just appear to be.

New Jersey has plenty of incorporated municipalities — 565, to be exact. And quite a few have multiple names, in some cases dozens, for various sections of their communities. In fact, there are more than 3,300 unofficial place names that the state of New Jersey lists on a website to sort it all out.

These are some of the "towns" at the Jersey Shore that just aren't and how they came to be.

Shark River Hills (Neptune)

Like Ocean Grove, Shark River Hills is also a subset of Neptune that can feel a bit cut off from the rest of the township. The neighborhood is bordered on three sides by the Shark River and is cut off from the rest of the township by Route 18. Add to it the fact that you enter Shark River Hills either through Neptune City or Wall.

Shark River Hills is actually a newer name for the community, formed when the Shark River Hills company purchased 728 acres to develop in 1913, according to a history of the area by Peggy Goodrich.

The area was known in the 17th century as Nolletquesset and was an area where Lenni Lenape and Delaware tribes fished, clammed and gathered oysters in the summers.

It was named Hogs Pond in 1781 for the hog farming that took place on the banks of the Shark River. In 1800, Monmouth County Freeholders bought land here for a County Poor Farm.

Wanamassa (Ocean Township, Monmouth County)

The history behind Wanamassa is a little messy to pin down. One version notes that an early landowner Gawen Drummond purchased 500 acres that now makeup Wanamassa, additional parts of Ocean Township and neighboring towns from three Native American chiefs, one of which was named Wanamassa.

The supposed price? One gun, five matchcoats, one kettle and two pound weight of powder, according to one undated news article describing a centuries-old deed found in an Asbury Park home.

But some Monmouth County historians urge caution with that story. While the details were revealed on a deed, some landowners weren't exactly scrupulous in their interactions with local Native Americans, who may not have known they were signing off on a land sale.

More:NJ Lottery: winning Cash 5 ticket sold at Ocean Township liquor store

Morganville (Marlboro)

Morganville as well as other unincorporated communities like Robertsville and Hulsetown, were all stops for travelers as they made their way along what is now Route 79, according to Marlboro Township: A Rich History. A Bright Future," a commemorative history book the township published in 1999 to coincide with its 150th anniversary.

All of these little communities had inns, where travelers would stay overnight. Those innkeepers are how the communities got their names. Jonathan Morgan ran the inn in what's now considered Morganville. Innkeepers Matthew Roberts and John Hulse are the namesakes of Robertsville and Hulsetown.

All of those places that are really just Middletown

Middletown was formed in 1693 as one of the three original townships that made up Monmouth County. Of course, centuries ago, residents couldn't quite zip across town like they could today.

Communities formed within the township, often anchored around churches and post offices, some of which still exist today. As many as 30 of these place names are still going strong in Middletown.

But even over time, the names of these places have changed. Lincroft, one of the place names frequently touted, was once known as Leedsville, named after William Leeds, the man who settled the area near Brookdale Community College in the 1720s.

Leedsville was the prominent name of this area until around 1900 when Lincroft became the favored community name. Likewise, the now-posh area of Navesink was once called Riceville.

More:Middletown's One River Centre could get facelift if town OKs it

Brick Town (Brick)

Brick Town — or Bricktown, depending on who you talk to — was never actually a place. Rather it was a misnomer created by the U.S. Postal Service, Brick Township historian Gene Donatiello said.

The postal service consolidated all of Brick's post offices in 1959 and called the new overarching district "Brick Town."

When the new post office was built in the 1970s, local historians went to the postal service asking the name to be switched back simply to Brick, which has been the township's official name since it incorporated in 1850, Donatiello said.

That effort was not successful until then Congressman Edwin B. Forsythe intervened and the post office area name was changed to Brick.

Yet some people still refer to the township as "Brick Town."

Forked River (Lacey)

Forked River is a nice way to tell if you're a native from the area or not since locals pronounce the town name as FOR-kid River.

But Forked River, technically, isn't a town. As a place name, however, it actually precedes Lacey, dating back to a time when Forked River was a community in Monmouth County, before land was split off to form Ocean County.

Lacey Township was incorporated in 1871 and named for Continental Army General John Lacey.

More:Do you know your Jersey Shore towns? Take this quiz

Whiting (Manchester)

Whiting, a section of Manchester, was formed in 1861, about four years before Manchester became the seventh municipality of Ocean County.

It was named for Nathan C. Whiting, who was originally from New Haven, Connecticut and built a sawmill here, according to a history compiled by Manchester for its 150th anniversary.

Waretown (Ocean Township, Ocean County)

Waretown was settled by Abraham Waier somewhere around 1739, according to Ocean Township history. Waier built a mill here in the community, which went by various names including Waier Creek, Waier Mills and Wiretown, Waretown and Weartown.

At the time, Waretown was part of Dover Township and later Union Township, said Adele Shaw, president of the Waretown Historical Society. Waretown eventually partnered with Brookville to form what is now Ocean Township in 1876.

Some people question Ocean Township's name when it sits on the mainland on Barnegat Bay, not the Atlantic Ocean. Shaw says the name is an homage to Ocean Township's maritime heritage.

The vast majority of its residents worked in the coasting trade, shipping goods to ports up and down the coast. The residents would leave through the inlet directly across Barnegat Bay from Ocean Township.

Manahawkin (Stafford)

The origin of the name Manahawkin is somewhat murky, but its status as a town is not: It's part of Stafford Township.

Manahawkin is a Lenape word that means either "Land of Good Corn" or "fertile land sloping into the water," according to Stafford Township website. It also could have gotten its name from the Hawkins family or the honking from geese migrating through town.

Meanwhile, the community's official name, Stafford Township, has a much more clear history to it. According to the township website, Stafford is named after Staffordshire in England. It incorporated in 1749 after splintering from what was at the time an expansive Shrewsbury Township in Monmouth County.

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Get to know the APP.com team, send a news tip, learn about our events and more at connect.app.com. Susanne Cervenka: @scervenka; 732-643-4229; scervenka@gannettnj.com