JEFF GRANIT James Bedell, 6, and Gina Neyhart, 5, both in kindergarten, clap and laugh during the Officer Phil Puppet Show at the Betty McElmon School in West Long Branch. The program educated children about safety, prevention, values and responsibility.

Long Branch Detective Antonia Ahart, a juvenile detective with the city’s police department, has resigned to pursue a career with the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office. Ahart served a total of six years as an officer for Long Branch and has been hired as an inspector with the county.

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The city of Long Branch has announced a schedule of summertime events that begin in May and run through August. The first event, scheduled for May 24, is an annual Art in the Park which is sponsored by the Long Branch Historical Association. The event, displaying more than 50 pieces of artwork from a variety of artists, will be held on West Park Avenue and Brighton Avenues from noon to 8 p.m. The rain date is May 25.

The Historical Association has reported that they have more than 26 artists entered for the event. The highlight of the event will be television personality Suze Anderson who will do free antique appraisals. The entire West End business district will also have sidewalk sales.

JEFF GRANIT Anna Giordano, 4, of Monmouth Beach gets a closer look at a milk snake during a snake exhibition at the Monmouth Beach library.

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The Long Branch Historical Association is in the possession of old photographs from the 1940s and 1950s which were recently found at the Paramount Theater. The association needs help in identifying the people in the photos, which were taken by local photographers Harry Trezoglow and R. Barry Kamm. One of the photos may be of actor Ray Bolger, best known for his role as the Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz. For more information contact Joe Reale at (732) 229-2396.

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At a recent New Jersey Recreation and Parks Association conference, the city of Long Branch was chosen to receive the NJRPA excellence in design award for the design of the Jerry Morgan Park. Out of 12 submissions by other municipalities, Jerry Morgan Park impressed the judges the most because of the number of activities that the park offers for its size. What was also noticed by the judges is the state of the park before it was remediated to its present form. The award was presented to Mayor Adam Schneider during last week’s council meeting by Carl Jennings, director of recreation for Long Branch.

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Sometime in June an Old Timers softball game will be scheduled. Howard Marlin, chairman of the Planning Board is arranging the game with a date to be announced. Plans include inviting local ice cream vendors for an ice cream social.

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The Long Branch Housing Authority in conjunction with Long Branch recreation will hold its annual college bus tour from April 21-25. High school students will have the opportunity to visit several colleges in Virginia, Maryland and North Carolina. The program was implemented by the former Director of the Housing Authority David A. Brown (not to be confused with Councilman David Brown) in 1991. Since the inception of the program statistics have shown that more than 65 percent of students now attend colleges. The colleges that are on the tour are: in North Carolina, Winston Salem University, North Carolina A&T University, Bennett College, North Central University, Shore University and St. Augustine University; in Virginia, Norfolk State and Hampton University; and in Maryland, Bowie State University and Morgan State University.

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Mayor Adam Schneider will now be hosting a television show on the local public access station channel 20. Monmouth University will produce the show, which will be aired Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 11 a.m., 3:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. The first show, which is expected to be aired in May, will focus on the city’s centennial celebration. Every week a new show will be taped.

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The 14th annual Business and Retail Expo sponsored by the Greater Ocean Township Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Long Branch Chamber of Commerce will be held on May 29 at the Sheraton Hotel and Conference Center, Eatontown from 5 to 8 p.m.

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On March 20, the Long Branch Housing Authority held the first of a series of meetings for Seaview Manor residents seeking to identify solutions to the existing contamination on-site. At the meeting a relocation plan was outlined and questioned were answered for residents who are affected by the relocation.

Addressing some misconceptions that have arisen, Tyrone Garrett, executive director of the authority, assured residents that both the New Jersey Natural Gas Company and the authority are working diligently toward a final remediation plan which will dispel rumors that residents would not be given the opportunity to return to public housing once the remediation is complete.

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The Long Branch Elks at 150 Garfield Ave. have scheduled a country western dance April 26 from 8 p.m. ‘til the party ends. The cost is $10 per person which includes chicken, ribs and all the trimmings. To purchase tickets in advance call the lodge at (732) 222-9742.

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Other events may come and go, but the Long Branch Council No. 335 Knights of Columbus breakfast is a tradition that always remains. This month’s all you can eat spread of pancakes, eggs and sausages, plus hot coffee, will be April 6. All are invited as guest chef for the day is Ed Day who will be assisted by Rich Tucker and Buddy Sponenberg. Breakfast will be served from 8 a.m. to noon at 670 Route 36, across from Conte’s Car Wash. The cost is $4 for adults and $2 for children under 12.

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Sgt. Pat’s 5K Race is scheduled for April 19 starting at the Windmill on Ocean Avenue in North Long Branch. Formerly the St. Paddy’s race, the race benefits Holiday Express and the Patrick King Scholarship Funds, PBA Local 10 and PBA Local 364. If you’re not up to running, you can opt for a 2-mile fitness walk and kids can participate in the kids’ races. More information can be found at www.jsrc.org or by calling (732) 542-6090.

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A spaghetti dinner will be sponsored by the Long Branch Elks handicapped children’s committee every second Friday of the month. Dinner will be served between 6-8 p.m. The price for all you can eat is $6 or $5 for the early bird special between 5-6 p.m. For more information call (732) 222-9742.

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The Westwood Players of the Long Branch High School under the direction of Vincent Borelli will present Guys and Dolls April 9-12 beginning at 7:30 p.m. at the high school auditorium. A Sunday matinee is scheduled for April 12 at 2 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the door at a cost of $5 for seniors and students and $6 for adults.

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The Township of Ocean School District will present an overview of the preschool disabilities program on May 16 at the Wayside Elementary School from 1-2:30 p.m. The program is intended for 3- and 4-year-old children who experience difficulties with speech, behavior, coordination or getting along with others. For more information call (732) 531-5600, ext. 3300.

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The Long Branch Senior Center, at 85 Second Ave., will be offering assistance with income tax and or homestead rebate forms to registered center members. A volunteer from Tax Counseling for the Elderly will be at the center on Tuesday during the first two weeks in April.

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Crafter and vendors are wanted for the IAMA craft show scheduled for April 12 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., rain or shine. Table donations are $20. For information call Chris at (732) 229-1450 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. or Ceil at (732) 229-3135 from 5-9 p.m.

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The Firemen’s Mutual Benevolent Association Local 10, Long Branch has scheduled their first annual golf tournament on May 12 at the Old Orchard Country Club, Eatontown, starting at 9 a.m.

Registration for the tournament begins at 8 a.m. The fee of $125 per person includes a continental breakfast, lunch, a golf cart, green fees and door prizes. Sponsors are also needed for tees each costing $100. One 2002 Mercedes-Benz and one 2002 Corvette will be given to those who shoot a hole-in-one.

Proceeds of the event will be collected into the FMBA Local 10 Community Trust and disbursed at a later date to local charities, sporting teams and for scholarships.

For more information contact Tim Somers at (732) 870-0207 or download the an application from www.fmba68.
com.

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The Ocean Township Police De­partment will hold a public auction of accumulated property on April 12 at 10 a.m. at Joe Palaia Park on Whalepond Road.