The SandPaper

12/17/2024

At its last regular meeting of the year, the Beach Haven Borough Council paid tribute to Mayor Nancy Davis, who is stepping down after serving 14 years on the governing body. She lost a reelection bid in November.

At its last regular meeting of the year, the Beach Haven Borough Council paid tribute to Mayor Nancy Davis, who is stepping down after serving 14 years on the governing body. She lost a reelection bid in November. “As a lifelong Beach Haven resident, Nancy decided to put her love for her town, her...

12/17/2024

The story of how modern Christmas in America emerged is the result of many factors, but the influence of one New Jersey man must be conceded. Lorraine Boissoneault gave some background in a 2018 Smithsonian Magazine article.

The story of how modern Christmas in America emerged is the result of many factors, but the influence of one New Jersey man must be conceded. Lorraine Boissoneault gave some background in a 2018 Smithsonian Magazine article. “Prior to the early 1800s, Christmas was a religious holiday, plain and s...

12/17/2024

There’s a question that comes up every Christmas season: a real tree or an artificial one? It turns out that issue has been debated for centuries.

There’s a question that comes up every Christmas season: a real tree or an artificial one? It turns out that issue has been debated for centuries. The Germans are generally given credit for sparking the custom of Christmas trees. They started bringing evergreens into their homes and decorating the...

12/16/2024

Students in four majors at Ocean County College can now seamlessly transfer to Stockton University’s four-year programs as part of a new memorandum of understanding signed by the schools.

Students in four majors at Ocean County College can now seamlessly transfer to Stockton University’s four-year programs as part of a new memorandum of understanding signed by the schools. The agreement calls for a “3+1 pathway” partnership agreement for OCC majors in accounting, marketing and ...

12/16/2024

American Legion Post 493 decided to bring joy to Seacrest Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center in Little Egg Harbor with some Christmas caroling and arrived with bells on … literally. Members and local musicians brought jingle bells, Santa hats and no shortage of Christmas spirit to sing a variety of holiday classics to residents at the center on Monday, Dec. 9.

American Legion Post 493 decided to bring joy to Seacrest Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center in Little Egg Harbor with some Christmas caroling and arrived with bells on … literally. Members and local musicians brought jingle bells, Santa hats and no shortage of Christmas spirit to sing a variety...

12/16/2024

Beach Haven resident David Broughton has two major passions: art and skateboarding. Seven years ago, he put the two interests together to create his own custom-decorated skateboards, many of which feature businesses.

Beach Haven resident David Broughton has two major passions: art and skateboarding. Seven years ago, he put the two interests together to create his own custom-decorated skateboards, many of which feature businesses. “I have them displayed at 21 businesses on the Island, but overall I’m in other...

12/16/2024

The Stafford Township Recreation Department and Home Alliance Realty have joined forces once again to present the Home Sweet Home online gingerbread house competition, open to all Stafford Township residents, businesses and culinary professionals.

The Stafford Township Recreation Department and Home Alliance Realty have joined forces once again to present the Home Sweet Home online gingerbread house competition, open to all Stafford Township residents, businesses and culinary professionals. “Build it, bake it or even break it,” the invita...

12/15/2024

You have all heard the stories. Professional athletes who made millions and squandered it all away. Stars with great careers whose post-stardom years became disasters, personally and professionally. Men and women who could have used their name and their fame to have a good, productive rest of their lives but instead wasted it.

You have all heard the stories. Professional athletes who made millions and squandered it all away. Stars with great careers whose post-stardom years became disasters, personally and professionally. Men and women who could have used their name and their fame to have a good, productive rest of their....

12/15/2024

In early December each year, the American Legion Post and Veterans of Foreign Wars chapters in Barnegat Township hold a Pearl Harbor remembrance day at the municipal dock.

In early December each year, the American Legion Post and Veterans of Foreign Wars chapters in Barnegat Township hold a Pearl Harbor remembrance day at the municipal dock. But what made the Sunday, Dec. 8 event extra special was that the ritual of tossing a memorial wreath into Barnegat Bay was perf...

12/15/2024

Let’s make a distinction right off the bat here. Liquid Lines is a newspaper “column.” While it is full of facts, it’s also threaded with commentary, which is the nature of a column...

Let’s make a distinction right off the bat here. Liquid Lines is a newspaper “column.” While it is full of facts, it’s also threaded with commentary, which is the nature of a column. It seems some people have a hard time differentiating between an article, which should center on facts, and a...

12/15/2024

“WTF Is My Line, Santa?” is an R-rated, holiday-themed improv show coming to Waterview Café in Barnegat next weekend, Thursday Dec. 19 through Sunday, Dec. 22.

“WTF Is My Line, Santa?” is an R-rated, holiday-themed improv show coming to Waterview Café in Barnegat next weekend, Thursday Dec. 19 through Sunday, Dec. 22. “Everything is made up, and the points … well … there are no points. There’s something even better,” according to the produce...

12/14/2024

I have to drone on from the get-go this week, based on a skyload of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) sightings seen across the state – a pinch worth spotted in our Southern Ocean County skies. I’m in the pinch.

I have to drone on from the get-go this week, based on a skyload of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) sightings seen across the state – a pinch worth spotted in our Southern Ocean County skies. I’m in the pinch. The state’s outbreak has gone viral, media-wise. Interestingengineering.com headlines,...

12/14/2024

Who needs Hallmark movies when you live in Beach Haven? Joy radiated from the LBI Historical Museum on Saturday night, Dec. 7, when residents donned tutus, feathers and golden rings for ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’ sing-along, a beloved Beach Haven tradition held ahead of the annual tree lighting in Veterans Memorial Park.

Who needs Hallmark movies when you live in Beach Haven? Joy radiated from the LBI Historical Museum on Saturday night, Dec. 7, when residents donned tutus, feathers and golden rings for ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’ sing-along, a beloved Beach Haven tradition held ahead of the annual tree light...

12/14/2024

To the Editor: My husband, Bert Heller, has decorated this tree on our front lawn every year for over 10 years. It was only a tiny little sapling about 6 inches tall when it survived Superstorm Sandy.

To the Editor: My husband, Bert Heller, has decorated this tree on our front lawn every year for over 10 years. It was only a tiny little sapling about 6 inches tall when it survived Superstorm Sandy. We transplanted it to the location on our front lawn where it is now. I thought I would share a pho...

12/14/2024

The Lighthouse International Film Society will screen the documentary “Every Little Thing” at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14 at the LBI Historical Museum in Beach Haven.

The Lighthouse International Film Society will screen the documentary “Every Little Thing” at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14 at the LBI Historical Museum in Beach Haven. It is a 93-minute film about a hummingbird rehabber in California. There are an estimated 366 species of hummingbirds, ranging...

12/13/2024

Weekly artoon by L. Ganss.

12/13/2024

On what was one of the coldest days of the fall around Southern Ocean County, with much-needed rain falling quickly, suddenly and then sporadically on a recent Thursday, there seemed to be no respite from the raw, bone-chilling temperature. But just off Route 9 and at the end of a winding driveway sat The Evermore Manor, cozy and warm against the gray sky and darkening clouds.

On what was one of the coldest days of the fall around Southern Ocean County, with much-needed rain falling quickly, suddenly and then sporadically on a recent Thursday, there seemed to be no respite from the raw, bone-chilling temperature. But just off Route 9 and at the end of a winding driveway s...

12/13/2024

Congressman Jeff Van Drew doubled down on his position Dec. 12 that unexplained reported drone sightings over New Jersey are the result of an adversarial government, launching the aircraft into the sky from a vessel at sea, even as a White House security adviser dismissed the idea that what residents have seen are drones at all.

Congressman Jeff Van Drew doubled down on his position Dec. 12 that unexplained reported drone sightings over New Jersey are the result of an adversarial government, launching the aircraft into the sky from a vessel at sea, even as a White House security adviser dismissed the idea that what resident...