From the Editor: The People Make The Two River Area What It Is

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I’m constantly being reminded of the people who make The Two River area such a great place to live. I meet them through someone, see them at events, hear from them or went to school with them. I’ve also worked side by side them in my many endeavors and I see the good they do. And it’s always touching. Just editing this edition brought that home to me again this week. Take Little Silver’s Trish McHale Apy, inspired by her dad’s Silver metal, two Bronze stars, an Oak Leaf cluster and a Purple Heart. She was only one of three among 400,000 members of the American Bar Association to be presented the prestigious Grass Roots Advocacy Award for her unrelenting leadership addressing the legal needs of military families. Or how about Bob and Joan Rechnitz, founders of the Two River Theater in Red Bank; he a truly learned man of letters and both philanthropists contributing to so many organizations including Brookdale Community College and Riverview Hospital. Consider the work of Rumson’s Ann Unterberg who has worked to support non-profit organizations critical work on health care, education and women’s rights as well as serving as a Monmouth University Trustee. She received Monmouth University Jules Plangere Jr. medal last week so let’s consider him. He’s a man of unflinching integrity, who ran a terrific paper, was a longtime chairman of the university’s trustees, and is a philanthropist to so many causes it’s hard to keep up, including his generosity to the university he loves.
And the actions don’t always have to be so grand to be meaningful.
Consider the everyday man, like Kevin Shaughnessy who made sure he and his family had front row seats at the Middletown Memorial Day Parade to honor his father’s service during World War II and to honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country. How about the Boy and Girl Scouts marching in the parade who do so much community service. Or the wonderful guys tossing candy to all the kids along the route from their ambulances and fire trucks – the vehicles they man that save our lives every day.
Consider too the animal lovers that come to the Colts Neck Pet Fair from all over the country to have fun competitions but more so to raise awareness about animal abuse and the need for adoption.
Consider too the many outstanding graduates who hail from the Two River area. Rumson’s Kevin “Pookie” Alter, who just ranked 166th out of 1070 Midshipmen graduating from the Naval Academy and received numerous leadership, community service and academic awards to cap his outstanding performance on the basketball court despite being 5’6’’, the shortest player in the Division 1 Level. He’s now a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and heading for training to defend his country.
And I’m only referring to people written about in this one issue of The Two River Times. Each one of them share vision, service, compassion and tenacity.
But mostly they share community commitment. They make me proud to live here.
So, send us your recommendations for residents you think share those traits and we’ll try to write about them. And please check out our website at tworivertimes.com. It’s soon to be launched with a whole new look and easier navigation, so keep an eye out! In the meantime, we’re listening and want your feedback.
Let’s have coffee! Jody Calendar Editor and Co-Publisher