Physical Therpy For Injuries and Pain in Wanamassa, NJ

MOUNT HOLLY - Thursday's snowstorm hammered parts of New Jersey, impacting residents across Monmouth and northern Ocean counties with heavy snowfall approaching 10 inches, according to preliminary reports from the National Weather Service.

Thursday's nor'easter slightly shifted overnight and is expected to be a longer lasting snowstorm then forecasters previously predicted. Monmouth and parts of northern Ocean counties received a significant amount of snow within just hours as the storm blew through Thursday morning and early afternoon.

NJ weather: 1 to 3 more inches of snow Friday morning, rain will develop this afternoon as storm exits

A second low pressure system will approach the state on Friday, although much weaker, it's expected to bring another burst of snow and sleet to most of many areas across Monmouth County before tapering off to scattered showers by the evening hours, the National Weather Service said.

Ocean County is expected to receive less than an inch of snow to accumulate on Friday and will see more of a wintry mix of light snow, sleet, freezing rain and rain in the morning and through the afternoon hours, forecaster said.

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The initial forecast projected Monmouth County to receive anywhere from 3 to 6 inches of snow on Thursday and an additional 1 to 2 inches on Friday. However, public reports sent in to the National Weather Service showed widespread amounts of between 6 and 10 inches in western Monmouth.

Mixing with sleet and freezing rain kept amounts lower in Ocean County, but the storm still left an icy mess on the roads and up to 4 inches in northern areas.

School closings: Schools go virtual, delay opening ahead of winter snow storm

Here are the current snow totals across the Shore, according to the National Weather Service:

Monmouth County:

Ocean County:

Check back later for further snow totals across the Shore.

Joshua Chung is the 9-5 breaking news and weather reporter. A lifelong Jersey Shore resident, he is a recent graduate of Michigan State University. Contact him at jchung@gannettnj.com, 917-703-9373 or on Twitter @Joshchunggg

A little over a year ago, Alex Mazzucca and Cara Pescatore of Seed to Sprout, a vegan eatery located in Avon since 2012 and Fair Haven since 2015, found themselves struggling to frost a wedding cake in the back of their tiny restaurant kitchen. They’d recently started advertising their custom cakes more heavily and custom orders were pouring in. They quickly realized there was no way they were going to be able to keep up with the cakes if they only had two small kitchens that also needed to produce food for their restaurants and catering orders. They needed a dedicated space to create their pastries and sweets that are nourishing but still delicious–a bakery, like they’d dreamed about since the early days of their business.

In March, their dream came true as they held the grand opening for the Seed to Sprout Bakery, located on Wickapecko Drive in Wanamassa, a quiet section of Ocean Township close to Route 35 and Asbury Park. It’s a beautiful, light-filled space, even when I visit on a rainy April morning. Custom designed wallpaper covers half of the space: giant, Instagram-worthy blooms. The decor is simple but not at all boring, kind of like the food produced here.

Some people may be skeptical that baked goods produced without eggs or milk can still be satisfy a sweet tooth. Until they reached young adulthood, Alex and Cara would have been skeptical, too. Both women grew up in large Italian families. They tell me how much they loved cheese, how back then they never imagined giving it up. Both women were vegetarians before committing to being vegan, and after becoming vegan, it still took them a while to figure out how to commit to the kind of diet they wanted. They both studied nutrition as well as they educated themselves and learned a lot through trial and error.

Alex and Cara were childhood acquaintances from the same town. They reconnected when a mutual friend noticed their shared passions and thought they should get together. Since then, they’ve been inseparable—as friends and as business partners.

Vegan or not, there is something for everyone at the new bakery. Seed to Sprout Bakery offers indulgent cookies, cinnamon rolls, and other snacks, like toasts with avocado or carrot lox. They also serve a variety of coffee, hot chocolate, and tea. As I’m photographing the space, some customers come in. One of the men says, “You should put ‘Coffee and Bakery’ on the sign,” and goes on to rave about how much he likes their coffee. And, of course, they do custom cakes for weddings and parties. “These are the healthiest cakes you can probably get,” Cara tells me—but it’s still a cake. They laugh as they recall how many customers are suspicious of their baked sweets, calling to place orders and asking if the cake would taste good.

There’s a stigma surrounding vegan cuisine, even as it’s become more popular and common. (And no, food made without any animal products does not “taste like cardboard.”) Alex and Cara are passionate and picky about the food that comes out of their kitchens. They want to challenge preconceived notions and spread the message that nourishing food doesn’t have to compromise when it comes to taste. Their new bakery is proof of this.

Seed to Sprout Bakery 1405 Wickapecko Drive Wanamassa 732-361-3636

By Walter J. O’Neill, Jr.

Township of Ocean – Starting any new job, whether it’s an internal promotion or moving onto a new opportunity, can cause someone to feel anxious. It’s even more nerve-wracking when you’re taking over for someone who was very popular and liked. However, John Bosmans is doing just that, taking over the principal’s position at Wanamassa School with the retirement of Vic Milano. “I am excited and ready to get this school year underway,” said Bosmans. He knew Milano and how well liked he was. “I’m not Vic, and I know that I have big shoes to fill, but I know my personality and leadership style will have a positive effect on our students and staff.”

“I felt John had the enthusiasm and heart to create the best possible environment for the children of Ocean,” said Kelly Weldon, Superintendent of Schools. She added that Bosmans is very good coming into a new position and developing a strategic plan. “One of John’s previous positions was our district’s bilingual supervisor, and he showed how well he connected with our families.”

Bosmans is no stranger to the township school system. He grew up in Ocean and was a scholar athlete who graduated in 2002. He then attended Monmouth University where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts in History/Education. He furthered his education at Thomas Edison State University and received a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership.

In 2007 Bosmans returned home to the Township of Ocean where he was hired as a social studies teacher. “I became an educator because of the great experiences I had as a student in the township, and I wanted to give back to our community to ensure every student has the opportunity to have the best education possible.”

When he was asked to look back on his 16 years as an educator and what memories stood out, he paused. “Too many to name. However, most recently being able to award the New Jersey Seal of Biliteracy to all graduating seniors who have achieved proficiency in both English and a foreign language. It was a tremendous achievement for the students and their families,” Bosmans said .

He spent 10 years as a classroom teacher and coach before he took on the role and duties as a supervisor. “I wanted to get into administration to have an impact on a larger scale. I felt that I had a lot to give to students in the district at all levels, and I sought the opportunity to further my education and career,” he said.

Weldon, who has championed the phrase “Spartan Legacy” feels that her strength is getting everyone to operate as a team. “When everyone works together, it’s more enjoyable, and that’s something I hope becomes part of my legacy,” she said.

“My Spartan legacy will be leaving the Township of Ocean Schools/Wanamassa a better place for students than before I arrived. It isn’t about me, it’s about the community and working together to put students first in order to help them achieve their goals and dreams,” said Bosmans.

When asked what advice he has for his staff as he takes the reigns as principal for the first time, he has a clear message. “Never forget what it was like to be a student and try to tune out the outside noise as much as possible. Place your energy and focus on what is most important, putting students first,” Bosmans said. He added that regardless of a staff member’s role, custodian, bus driver, instructional aide, nurse, playground aid, cafeteria worker, or substitute, they are all key personnel that will impact the daily life of the students.

“My advice for students come every day ready to learn and try new things. Your teachers and families are here to help and support you. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes, and be the best version of yourself every single day,” added Bosmans.

Some fun facts about Principal Bosmans; he loves pizza. His favorite movie was Ghostbusters and he likes all sports, but football is on top of the list. Of course his favorite colors are red and blue. In his free time, he loves to spend it with his wife Amanda and their two sons. You can also find him in the summer on the beach between 8th Avenue Jetty in Loch Arbour and the L jetty in Allenhurst.

A condo in Long Branch that sold for $4.2 million tops the list of the most expensive residential real estate sales in Monmouth County in the past week.

In total, 202 residential real estate sales were recorded in the area during the past week, with an average price of $793,227. The average price per square foot was $372.

The prices in the list below concern real estate sales where the title was recorded during the week of Sep. 11 even if the property may have been sold earlier.

10. $2.2 million, single-family residence at 524 North Blvd.

The property at 524 North Blvd. in Belmar has new owners. The price was $2,200,000. The house was built in 2016 and has a living area of 2,024 square feet. The price per square foot is $1,087. The deal was finalized on Aug. 18.

9. $2.3 million, detached house at 23 Wanamassa Point Road

The sale of the detached house at 23 Wanamassa Point Road, Ocean, has been finalized. The price was $2,342,500, and the house changed hands in August. The house was built in 1905 and has a living area of 4,186 square feet. The price per square foot was $560. The deal was finalized on Aug. 22.

8. $2.4 million, single-family home at 17 Raintree Court

The sale of the single family residence at 17 Raintree Court in Holmdel has been finalized. The price was $2,375,000, and the new owners took over the house in August. The house was built in 2003 and has a living area of 5,854 square feet. The price per square foot was $406. The deal was finalized on Aug. 24.

7. $2.4 million, single-family house at 5 Woodmere Ave.

The 3,678 square-foot single-family residence at 5 Woodmere Ave., Rumson, has been sold. The transfer of ownership was settled in August and the total purchase price was $2,400,000, $653 per square foot. The house was built in 2004. The deal was finalized on Aug. 17.

6. $2.5 million, single-family residence at 1012 Norwood Ave.

The property at 1012 Norwood Ave. in Oakhurst has new owners. The price was $2,472,000. The house was built in 1905 and has a living area of 3,320 square feet. The price per square foot is $745. The deal was finalized on Aug. 22.

5. $2.5 million, detached house at 35 Bretwood Drive

A sale has been finalized for the single-family house at 35 Bretwood Drive in Colts Neck. The price was $2,500,000 and the new owners took over the house in August. The house was built in 2004 and the living area totals 8,595 square feet. The price per square foot ended up at $291. The deal was finalized on Aug. 18.

4. $2.8 million, single-family house at 30 Grange Ave.

The 1,519 square-foot single-family house at 30 Grange Ave. in Fair Haven has been sold. The transfer of ownership was settled in August and the total purchase price was $2,816,700, $1,854 per square foot. The house was built in 1955. The deal was finalized on Aug. 22.

3. $3.1 million, single-family home at 619 Beacon Blvd.

The sale of the single family residence at 619 Beacon Blvd. in Sea Girt has been finalized. The price was $3,100,000, and the new owners took over the house in August. The house was built in 2003 and has a living area of 4,142 square feet. The price per square foot was $748. The deal was finalized on Aug. 21.

2. $3.4 million, single-family home at 92 Rumson Road

The 4,896 square-foot detached house at 92 Rumson Road, Rumson, has been sold. The transfer of ownership was settled in August and the total purchase price was $3,350,000, $684 per square foot. The house was built in 2020. The deal was finalized on Aug. 23.

1. $4.2 million, condominium at 350 Ocean Ave.

The sale of the condominium at 350 Ocean Ave., Long Branch, has been finalized. The price was $4,200,000, and the new owners took over the condominium in August. The condominium was built in 2019 and has a living area of 2,723 square feet. The price per square foot was $1,542. The deal was finalized on Aug. 17.

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.

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As New Jerseyans gear up for an unknown period without barroom chatter or dinners in restaurant dining rooms, alcohol has begun flying off of store shelves — although liquor stores have not been stripped as bare as, say, the toilet paper aisle or liquid soap section at your local supermarket.

The state has ordered restaurants to go to only takeout and delivery, and bars that do not serve food must close entirely, along with a slew of other businesses such as cinemas and gyms. Retail businesses can remain open, but the state has asked they not open for the day before 5 a.m. nor stay open past 8 p.m. and that they limit their numbers of occupants.

As a result, retail liquor has seen a corresponding spike in sales.

At Brick Liquors in Brick, manager Joe Spinelli said customers have been stocking up as a precaution against a possible closure.

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Asked if Monday had seen a rush of customers, he said, “That would be an understatement.”

The store was “pretty much busy all day. We’re up 150% in sales over this day last year. It’s been our best March ever,” Spinelli said.

Bulk items and cases of wine have been particularly popular with Spinelli's customers.

And the reason for the rush? “Everyone thinks we’re going to close so everyone is loading up,” Spinelli said.

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Many larger liquor store chains, like Spirits Unlimited, Joe Canal's Discount Liquor Outlet and Buy Rite, as well as many local liquor shops, offer delivery service at many of their locations for customers who prefer not to leave the house.

While the state has issued its overarching recommendation, some towns have added their own caveats or vowed to enforce the restrictions with disorderly persons summonses.

Red Bank issued — but later rescinded — a proclamation barring all liquor sales within the borough. That ban would have taken effect a minute before midnight Monday night. And Asbury Park put restrictions on nightlife in the city Sunday, the day before the state's announcement.

At Lush Wines - Beer & Liquor in Asbury Park, business has been up but "not crazy," according to a shop worker who preferred not to be named. He said there hadn't been more foot traffic, but that the customers who were shopping were buying more than usual.

One town over, in Ocean Township, locals have hit up Wanamassa Liquors to stock up following the announcement of bar closures in the area.

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"They're stocking up here and staying home," said cashier Linda Dzenis. "Everyone is coming once and stocking up. Between Friday night and Sunday it was droves of people coming in and stocking up.

Wanamassa got an order in over the weekend, and had recently been able to restock.

And while sales are up, at least for now, shopping has not necessarily been hectic, according to D.J. D'Onofrio, a member of the Spirits Unlimited advertising co-op.

"There's been no panic, there's no unruliness. Everybody's been polite and kind," he said.

Alex N. Gecan: 732-547-1365; agecan@gannettnj.com; @GeeksterTweets