The April meeting of the Township Committee was busy with the presentation of well-deserved accolades and the promotion of good causes.
Elaine Lent, historian for Old First Church on historic Kings Highway was presented with the Middletown Historic Preservation Award. She is the inaugural recipient of the award which is presented by the Township Committee to those who have made lasting contributions to historic preservation. Elaine also serves on the township’s Historic Preservation Commission.
Visitors from Oasis tlc came to accept a proclamation recognizing April 2017 as Autism Awareness Month in Middletown Township. OASIS is a non-profit organization establishing farm centers that provide meaningful work, peaceful and healthy residences and community interaction for autistic young adults between 18 and 26. Middletown Township leases seven acres of farmland at Stevenson Park to OASIS for farming, gardening and horticultural purposes as part of training and assistance programs for autistic individuals. Visit www.oasistlc.org for more information about their therapeutic learning center (tlc) located on Sleepy Hollow Road.
The dedication and support of Middletown’s many volunteers are among the things that makes Middletown a great place to live. Representatives from several of the township’s volunteer agencies – Middletown Emergency Medical Services, Emergency Management, Fire Department and Volunteer Corps – were thanked for their dedication to community service this month. The Township Committee also proclaimed April 2017 as Volunteer Month in Middletown Township in appreciation of all volunteers.
Middletown will be known as Pinktown for the month of May in support of Meridian’s Paint the Town Pink program. The program aims to raise awareness about the importance of breast cancer prevention, detection and treatment. Paint the Town Pink Chairwoman Lori Anne Oliwa was on hand to accept the proclamation issued by the Township Committee. Watch for the official Pinktown banner to be erected across from Town Hall on Route 35 at its intersection with Tindall Road.
Municipal Clerk’s Week was proclaimed by the Mayor and Township Committee as May 7-13, 2017 in appreciation of the services municipal clerks and deputy clerks perform and their dedication to the communities they represent. Call 732-615-2015 for information on the many services provide by the Township Clerk’s office.
Police Week was designated as May 14 - 20, 2017 by the governing body. The community is invited to visit Police Headquarters during this special week. Guided tours will be conducted Tuesday, May 16th, Wednesday, May 17th and Thursday, May 18th from 9:15 am to 5:15 pm. To schedule a secured and convenient time slot, you may call the Chief’s Office Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm at 732-615-2039. In addition the annual Middletown Police Memorial Service will be held rain or shine at Police Headquarters, 1 Kings Highway, on Friday, May 19th at 11a.m. The public is invited to attend. The service will be held at Middletown Police Memorial, located at the corner of Kings Highway and Route 35.
In keeping with a national tradition that dates back to 1963, May 2017 was proclaimed as Older Americans Month in Middletown by the Township Committee. This year’s theme is Age Out Loud. The Middletown Senior Center, located at 900 Leonardville Road is open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday year round with free registration to all independent Middletown residents age 60 and older. The center provides opportunities for older adults to socialize, develop new friendships and enrich their lives through a variety of programs and services. Call 732-615-2265 for information. The Middletown Senior Center’s Older Americans Luncheon will be held on May 12th at the Shore Casino, Atlantic Highlands. Tickets are $32 per person. Call for details.
The Middletown Township Committee is encouraging residents to honor the sacrifices of America’s veterans this May by supporting the Buddy Poppy drive. May 2017 has been proclaimed as Buddy Poppy Month in Middletown Township in support of the annual sale of Buddy Poppies by Middletown Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2179. The poppies are assembled by disabled veterans. The proceeds of this fundraising campaign are used for the benefit of disabled and needy veterans, and the widows and orphans of diseased veterans.
The Mayor and Township Committee also issued a proclamation declaring recognizing May 4, 2017 as the National Day of Prayer. The National Day of Prayer is an opportunity for Americans of all faiths to pray for the nation. The observance was created in 1952 by a joint resolution of the United States Congress, and signed into law by President Harry S. Truman in 1952. In 1988, legislation setting aside the first Thursday in May annually as National Day of Prayer was unanimously approved by both Houses of Congress and signed by President Ronald Reagan.
The Mayor and Township Committee proclaimed April 2017 as Alcohol Awareness Month. The Middletown Township Committee joined the Middletown Alliance to Prevent Alcoholism and Substance Abuse in calling upon the community to support efforts that will increase community awareness, understanding and action to address underage drinking in our community. Alcohol remains a primary faction in the four leading causes of death for young person ages 10-21. Crossroads provides free alcohol and drug abuse services to all Middletown residents. Services include assessment, consultation, education, and referral assistance. Call 732-615-2269 for more information.