Raising Peppers   Here are a few pepper raising tips gleaned from veterans: When transplanting peppers, place about three paper matchsticks around the plant's rootball. The sulpher will help the plant. After transplanting peppers, mix a mild Epsom Salt solution and spray it on the leaves. It results in larger, crispier fruits. Except in very hot climates, cover the soil surrounding chili pepper plants with black plastic to increase the soil temperature. Chilis thrive on hot soil temperatures 10/21/2008

  Lights out. Over a period of time, leaving lights on when they are not needed can add up to a considerable waste of energy. Good habits are just as easy to form as bad habits and turning off lights is a habit. Yes, it takes a little effort and discipline, but it can be done. Sometimes problem areas, such as closets, are more difficult to control by habit. This problem can be overcome by installing time delay light switches in closets. They can be set for automatic turn-off after being on for a specified period of time. Also, timers can be placed on lamps that are often neglected. Window leaks. During periods of cold weather, run your hands around the edges of your windows to see if you can feel cold air coming through. If so, there are a number of steps to be taken to minimize the pr... 10/21/2008

    3 sticks of softened butter 3 cups of sugar 5 eggs 3 cups of all purpose flour 1 teaspoon Lemon extract 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract Three-quarters cup of 7-Up Cream butter. Add sugar, then one egg at a time. Add flour gradually, then add extracts. Add 7-Up on low speed. Pour into greased tube pan. Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for one hour. When cool, sprinkle with 10x powdered sugar. This cake can be frozen even with powdered sugar on it. Wrap in foil, freeze and thaw when company's coming. 10/21/2008

Several hundred customers participated in the 18th Annual Vest-a-Cop held at Pizza Hut on Route 37. Township police officers teamed up with the restaurant staff to help raise money for the township's bullet proof vest fund. The officers served as waiters for the evening, jockeying trays of hot pizza and cold drinks. They said they enjoyed the change of pace from their everyday duties as a police officer and took the hustle and bustle of the restaurant in stride. 10/17/2008

TOMS RIVER - Mayor Thomas F. Kelaher is proud to announce Toms River's Community Response Team is one of the best in New Jersey. "I have seen Toms River's CERT members in action by attending one of their exercise drills in August," said Mayor Kelaher of the emergency drills members performed at Toms River Fire Academy to better prepare for the September 21 state-wide drill. "Not only did they perform emergency exercise drills with great efficiency, they treated faux victims as if they were real-life citizens in dire need." During the month of September, which is National Preparedness Month, the state office of emergency management conducted seven different training scenarios at the New Jersey State Police Academy, drawing out up to 800 state-wide CERT volunteers, who gave the best they ... 10/17/2008

TOMS RIVER - Greenbriar Woodlands, an upscale, gated community of 1250 homes in Toms River, celebrated their 21st anniversary on July 19 and 20. A committee of 14 residents orchestrated this tremendous endeavor, under the direction of Chairperson Marcia Rubin. The community residents enjoyed a sit-down meal, from appetizer to dessert, served at three seatings over two days, which was necessary to handle the nearly 1200 people who attended.   The committee worked together for nine months planning special events and raising funds to cover all the costs by selling journal ads and boosters, soliciting gift certifi- cates and prizes from local businesses and researching the growth of the community, from its inception to the present time, with articles printed in the community monthly publica... 10/17/2008

The Silverton Volunteer Fire Company Number 1 kicked off the fall season with a roar last weekend. Under a sunny sky, 159 motorcycles rode through Ocean County on a 100-mile poker run to open festivities for a Fall Family Festival held at the fire company's Kettle Creek Road station. The festival brought families together to say thank you to the men and women who serve them throughout the year. Chairman John Addalia said Silverton station hopes to make the event an annual tradition 10/17/2008

    Few plants are more difficult among the more popular garden plants than roses. They can be as problematic as they are beautiful. However, following a few good guidelines can make rose cultivation a little easier and rewarding. Starting with the right species of rose is important. Having a friend give you one of their own root roses can often lead to inferior quality. It is usually better to get a rose that is budded or grafted from your local independent nursery or garden center. Also, the rosarian at your local nursery or garden center can often be the best source of information about the right species choice for your part of the country. Roses usually prefer direct sunlight for a good portion of the day. Make sure you select an open spot, or at least one that gets morning sun. Th... 10/15/2008

    There are two generally accepted methods of raising tomatoes. The most common is to surround the plant with a wire frame and just let the plant grow, and the other is to stake the tomato plant and pull the "suckers" to keep it growing tall and on one stem. (A "sucker" is the formation of a new stem in the apex between the main stem and a leaf. They should be removed at least twice a week.) Either way will produce good results providing you manage all other growth aspects well. Watering too little or too much is one of the primary causes of a poor tomato crop. Wrinkles and splits in the tomato skin is an indicator of improper watering. Plant you plants in a well-drained soil containing a good amount of organic material. Water adequately, without soaking, twice a week. It may be a go... 10/14/2008

Joshua Huddy, a Revolutionary War soldier who became renowned through his untimely death. He was hung by American Loyalists at Highlands in 1782, months after the Battle of Yorktown, the last major military engagement of the war. Patriot outrage over Huddy's death almost scuttled the peace talks with Britain and nearly cost the life of a young British officer whose hanging in retaliation was averted by last minute French diplomacy. Although Huddy's lynching and the subsequent furor are well documented and have often been addressed by historians, there are comparatively few records of Huddy's life. He was born in Salem County, probably on November 8, 1735, to a prosperous family; his grandfather, Hugh Huddy, was a well-known judge. In his youth, Huddy began to have problems with authorit... 10/14/2008

  Day High Tide Height Sunrise Moon Time % Moon /Low Time Feet Sunset Visible Sa 1 High 2:35 AM 0.3 7:26 AM Rise 11:09 AM 7 1 Low 8:53 AM 0.0 5:54 PM Set 8:03 PM 1 High 2:47 PM 0.4 1 Low 9:39 PM 0.0 Su 2 High 3:19 AM 0.3 6:27 AM Rise 10:59 AM 13 2 Low 8:28 AM 0.1 4:53 PM Set 7:58 PM 2 High 2:29 PM 0.4 2 Low 9:18 PM 0.1 M 3 High 3:07 AM 0.3 6:29 AM Rise 11:41 AM 20 3 Low 9:04 AM 0.1 4:51 PM Set 8:57 PM 3 High 3:15 PM 0.4 3 Low 10:01 PM 0.1 Tu 4 High 3:58 AM 0.3 6:30 AM Rise 12:16 PM 29 4 Low 9:45 AM 0.1 4:50 PM Set 9:58 PM 4 High 4:05 PM 0.4 4 Low 10:51 PM 0.1 W 5 High 4:49 AM 0.3 6:31 AM Rise 12:47 PM 37 5 Low 10:40 AM 0.1 4:49 PM Set 11:01 PM 5 High 4:56 PM 0.4 5 Low 11:51 PM 0.1 Th 6 High 5:39 AM 0.3 6:32 AM Rise 1:13 PM 47 6 Low 11:56 AM 0.1 4:48 PM 6 High 5:48 PM 0.4 F 7 Low 12:51 ... 10/14/2008

 Short History of the man who built my neighborhood and surrounding adult communities     Forty years ago last month, Doss began construction on what is now known as Silver Ridge, the first senior community in the Toms River-Berkeley area and reportedly second in Ocean County only to the Original Leisure Village community in Lakewood. Junior Doss started building homes in this area in the early 60's & he didn't stop until he had pretty much run out of useable land.Doss was friendly with Bob Schmertz, who began building the Leisure Park development right around the same time.  Schmertz died at 48 in 1975 after building Leisure Techology to a pre-eminent position in its field. He also owned at one time the NBA Celtics ,the Trail Blazers and the World Hockey Association's New England Whale... 10/13/2008

Pizza, Pasta, & Pastry Festival - Pet Parade - Bookfest - all took place in downtown Toms River, Sept.  Left & Above: The Pizza Pasta & Pastry fest was well attended.Next 4 photos, below: Pets competed in categories at the Pet Parade.Bottom 2 photos: Book authors met the public to explain their works and to sell and sign books. Be sure to check out the calendar for next year's festival. Fun for all and plenty of parking. Be sure to bring your appetite, you won't be disappointed. 10/06/2008

  TOMS RIVER TOWNSHIP SENIOR CENTER652 Garfield Avenue, Toms River, NJ 08753 The Senior Center is a community facility in which older adults can meet with one another to fulfill many of their social, physical, emotional and intellectual needs. It is also a focal point for services to and by, older persons. Center programs and activities can help seniors enhance their dignity, support their independence, and encourage their involvement in and with the community. The Senior Center provides access to community resources as well as to services and activities that maintain independence and wellness.   SERVICES OFFERED: 1. Information and Referral: A service designed to furnish information to older adults concerning the availability of services and resources, and/or to assist them in securing... 10/06/2008

OCEAN COUNTY WOMEN ELIGIBLE FOR FREE OSTEOPOROSIS SCREENINGS ON OCTOBER 1 Ocean County women are encouraged to take a break from their early fall schedule and register for a free osteoporosis screening and assessment to be held Wednesday afternoon, October 1, beginning 12:30 p.m., at the Ocean County Health Department main building, 175 Sunset Avenue, Toms River. According to Ella Boyd, VMD, Public Health Coordinator, appointments are necessary and are taken on a "first call" basis. She said women may schedule an appointment by calling (732) 341-9700, ext. 7630 or (800) 342-9738, ext. 7630. "Unfortunately ‘walk-in' clients cannot be accepted," Dr. Boyd said. 10/06/2008

Toms River: The County Seat The first and original identity is historic Toms River. It is the "village" area with which most people associate "downtown" Toms River. Today its focal point is the area around Main, Washington and Water Streets and Hooper Avenue. The village is home to most of the Ocean County and Dover Township offices. Yesteryear it was a major trading center bustling with activity along the riverfront. Only a few thousand people reside in this area today. The official municipality in which Toms River is located is Dover Township, not to be confused with the town of Dover which is a municipality in northern New Jersey. 10/06/2008

  Toms River: The Post Office Address A second and different identity for Toms River has been established in modern times by the U.S. Postal Service, which is located in the area. It used the name of Toms River, too! As the population increased and spread throughout the community, the post office delivered mail beyond the county seat area to the other neighborhoods within the township -- among them, East, North and West Dover, Silverton, and Pleasant Plains. As time passed, the "Toms River" mailing address was extended into sections of neighboring municipalities. Today some residents in adjacent Manchester Township, Berkeley Township and South Toms River Borough receive their mail with a Toms River mailing address. 10/06/2008

 At one time Dover Township was part of Shrewsbury Township in Monmouth County. According to the "Township of Dover, 1767 - 1992," a booklet published during the community's 225th Anniversary, in 1767 a group of local residents petitioned the Royal General Assembly to create their own township. The 441 square mile township ranged from what is the Monmouth County line at its northern extremity to present day Oyster Creek in Lacey Township in the south and from the Burlington County line on the west to the Atlantic Ocean on the east. The township was formed more than 80 years before Ocean County was established. Entwined with the history of Dover Township is the village of Toms River. Toms River has come to have two identities, much to the confusion of new residents and visitors to the area 10/06/2008

About Downtown Toms River   Downtown Toms River is a not-for-profit organization specially designated to promote and implement the economic revitalization of the Downtown Toms River business district. Our goals are to preserve its cultural, historic, tourist and civic interests, while accessing public and private resources to improve business profitability and property values. Downtown Toms River is managed by the Toms River Business Development Corporation, a not-for-profit corporation whose members are elected by the commercial property owners, business owners and residents of the district. 10/06/2008

Downtown Toms River ~ Façade Improvement Grants The Downtown Toms River Economic Restructuring CommitteeFaçade Grant Program To encourage existing businesses to improve the appearance of their places of business and provide an incentive for new businesses to locate in Downtown Toms River. Up to $15,000 in matching façade grants annually.Maximum grants of 33% of construction cost to a maximum grant of $2,500. Allocation of grants according to the following scheme until Sept. 1. After Sept. 1 the grants will be generally available. Allocation: 50 % of grants to new businesses, 2 grants for businesses within a block of the Main and Washington intersection, 1 grant for a business in the 3% assessment area, limit of one grant per property owner per year. Rolling application for grants throu... 10/06/2008