Don’t Miss 2nd Annual Open Space Pace
To the Editor:
Last September, the inaugural Open Space Pace & Festival of Horses, an exhilarating day of free, family-oriented events in celebration of our state’s animal – the horse – drew over 3,000 to Freehold Raceway. This year, I urge you to experience our region’s newest and completely different outdoor fall festival when the 2nd Annual Open Space Pace & Festival of Horses returns with even more entertainment, vendors, harness racing and surprises on Saturday, Sept. 21. Mark your calendars, bring your friends and family and join the parade!
Beginning at 10 a.m., a festive parade of over 100 horses, led by costumed riders from Medieval Times will march down Route 537 (Main St.), through historic downtown Freehold, past a reviewing stand at the Monmouth County Hall of Records and on to Freehold Raceway. Last year, as a staunch supporter of the state’s equine industry, creator of our county’s Save the Horse Committee and a member of the Open Space Pace Planning Committee, I was proud to moderate the parade from the podium. This year, I am honored to have been chosen parade grand marshal. As such, I look forward to traveling the route along with some of New Jersey’s premier equine leaders and finest horsemen and horsewomen from a variety of stables and organizations.
While majestic and beautiful, horses are serious business in New Jersey, supporting thousands of jobs. The success of this event bolsters breeding and training farms, hay and grain producers, stable workers, suppliers, veterinarians and other businesses that support the state’s estimated 42,500 horses and 7,200 equine facilities. The Rutgers Equine Science Center estimates the state’s equine industry is worth about $4 billion, creating a profit of about $1.1 billion each year.
At the track, you will discover a car show, food trucks, children’s activities, a petting zoo, DJ music, demonstrations, celebrity amateur races, under-saddle races, giveaways, face painters and much more! A rousing jousting demonstration by Medieval Times will add to the pageantry and excitement. The “Babe Ruth of Harness Racing,” retired Canadian harness racer Hervé Filion will be among the celebrity guests.
In addition to over 30 vendors, participants in the Open Space Pace include the Monmouth County Park System and Office of Public Information and Tourism, Rutgers Extension Service, 4-H, Boy and Girl Scouts, the Horsemen’s Association of Millstone, the Horse Club of Central New Jersey, the Pleasure Horse Club of Central New Jersey, Coyote West Equestrian Stables, the Colts Neck Trail Riders, corporate sponsors and more.
Twelve Under-Saddle races will each benefit a different nonprofit organization involved with horses, agriculture and open space preservation. Checks will be presented at the end of each race in the Winner’s Circle. Last year, over $14,000 was raised for these groups. Photo opportunities will be plentiful, so don’t forget your cameras.
The popular Eddie Testa Band will perform following the day’s last race at about 5 p.m. Rock ‘n’ roll icon and New Jersey native Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes will play again this year. Tickets are $35 each – quite a bargain! Those who attend the day’s events are welcome to remain outside the paid seating area and enjoy the show. A spectacular 27-minute fireworks display will light up the sky following the concert.
Open Space Pace President Sam Landy, owner of Congress Hill Farm in Monroe Township, notes, “Anything that’s good for horse racing is good for open space and New Jersey. As this event grows over time, it will fill hotels, restaurants and local businesses. We want to expose the public to Standardbred horses and racing and attract new fans to rejuvenate and perpetuate the industry.”
It is essential to our traditions and quality of life to support horse racing, farming and equestrian activities. Please join us and your neighbors as we celebrate the horse, keep horse-related operations viable and provide individuals and families a fabulous, memorable day that can be enjoyed by all ages.
For more information, visit www.Open SpacePace.com. See you there!
Lillian G. Burry
Monmouth County Freeholder
Women and the New Health-Care Law: Perfect Together
To the Editor:
To imitate the old New Jersey slogan “Perfect Together,” the new health-care law will be a wonderful opportunity for women in New Jersey and elsewhere in the United States.
Women of all ages who are uninsured will have the opportunity to enroll in health-care coverage. In New Jersey, more than 900,000 women, between ages 19 and 44, are uninsured. These are women of childbearing years. Now these women have the chance to be covered by health insurance which will include preventive care, such as birth control and wellness exams, without a co-pay. The added good news is that financial help will be available for many, making insurance affordable. This is part of the new law.
Open enrollment for Obamacare will start on Oct. 1. Encourage the uninsured to sign up. The new plan will go into effect Jan. 1, 2014.
Women and the new health-care law are perfect together.
Joan Gotti
Rumson
September is World Alzheimer’s Month
To the Editor:
I would like to applaud the New York Yankees for their efforts in helping to increase awareness during World Alzheimer’s Month. They are holding awareness events for 14 games played at their home stadium.
Six other Major League Clubs have joined the Yankees in support – the Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Cincinnati Reds, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and Los Angeles Dodgers – which are also holding events at their home stadiums during September.
As avid Yankee fans may already know, former University of Tennessee women’s basketball coach Pat Summit was in attendance on Sunday, Sept. 1 for a pregame ceremony where she and her son, Tyler, received the 2012 Sargent and Eunice Shriver Profiles in Dignity Award from the Alzheimer’s Association for their inspiring work through the Pat Summit Foundation. The Yankees have committed to giving even more exposure to this mission by playing a video public service announcement at every home game throughout the month of September.
This month also marks the start of our annual nationwide Walk to End Alzheimer’s season, which offers six walks in New Jersey, including those in Jersey City, Point Pleasant, Princeton, and Paramus.
In addition to individuals with the disease, their family members and friends, teams are comprised of businesses and concerned citizens who recognize the impact of this illness on all of us.
We are inspired every year by the growing sense that the business community and our citizenry is stepping up to show their support of what is now the most costly health condition in the country.
We are behind the curve in educating the public on the ever-increasing tolls Alzheimer’s disease takes on individuals, families and society as a whole. Organizations, like the Yankees, can play a vital role in helping to raise the public consciousness. The visibility afforded this cause by a great organization like the Yankees can go a long way toward summoning the collective concern and awareness required to sufficiently meet the challenges posed by Alzheimer’s disease.
Lawrence Brooks
President & CEO
Alzheimer’s Association Greater New Jersey Chapter
Two River Moment
Sixty years ago Wharf Street in Red Bank looked very different. Today, only the building on the far left, where the Chetkin Gallery is located, remains. In place of the other structures is the four-story Union Square Village building.
