Ten years ago, The Two River Times celebrated its 25th anniversary. A decade later, we aren’t even considered middle-aged – technically, we’re a Millennial! Much has happened since our quarter-century mark, so we’re taking this opportunity to look back on the stories we covered and how the Two River area has changed. We’ve reported on everything from town meetings to a global pandemic; the closing of beloved schools to the introduction of Netflix; the saving of a testament to scientific discovery; sports champions and championships; politics, galas, housing, the environment and so many other matters that affect your everyday life, from the mundane to the monumental. And we became a nonprofit, turning the paper over to the very communities we serve. To celebrate the big 3-5, we asked longtime readers, advertisers, community partners, columnists and staff to share what they enjoy about having The Two River Times as their local paper. Over the course of the next few pages, you’ll find their responses and more, including Top 10 lists, photos and essays that reminisce and look forward to the next 35.
— Gabriel Donio, executive director,
and the entire staff of The Two River Times
Readers React: Why Do You Make The Two River Times a Part of Your Life?
As we prepared to celebrate our 35th anniversary, we asked readers, advertisers and members to share how The Two River Times has inspired or informed their lives over the years. Here are just some of their responses.
“As a long-established, family-owned business, Better Housekeeping Shop values the chance to reach our neighbors directly through a publication that reflects the same sense of community pride and integrity that we do. Your commitment to covering local stories, supporting small businesses and connecting residents to trusted resources aligns perfectly with our mission to provide exceptional products and service to families throughout the Two River area. People are what make businesses thrive for decades – and in your case, 35 years is an incredible milestone! Your team has been a pleasure to work with, consistently demonstrating professionalism, creativity and expertise.”
— Diane Joy Belforti, Better Housekeeping Shop
“Local news, sports and obituaries.”
— Richard McManus, Monmouth Beach
“Our family company, M. Schwartz and Sons Inc./Schwartz Mazda, have been in business since 1919. We were the first to advertise our business and I also am still an original subscriber to this day. (I) love your paper.”
— Jane Schwartz, Juno Beach, Florida
“I like reading about local issues in news, real estate, health, business. I enjoy reading about NJ Shore events. I look forward to the weekly puzzle Boggle and Sudoku.”
— Caroline R. Scenna, Red Bank
“Important local news delivered well.”
— Donald Yates, Shrewsbury
“We need local papers. Netflix coverage.”
— Edward Poplawski, Red Bank
“Local events. Local politics. New restaurants… We love seeing the graduation roster, especially to note where graduates are heading to for college.”
— Jeanne Achille, Holmdel
“I really appreciate the recent coverage of zoning and school board races, upcoming events, and small business highlights.”
— Anonymous, Middletown
“We are all bombarded with online ads and social media posts, it’s refreshing to still have an outlet for high-quality print ads. A big plus is I know the people in the Two River area will open and read the paper, increasing our chances of engagement by a homeowner looking for in-home help with Wi-Fi, computers, TVs and more… but a bigger bonus for us is that a lot of small business owners read the paper and they are our ideal client for business IT support. So, we get to advertise to two audiences at the same time! We have been with TRT for over 10 years and value the relationships we have with Jennifer, Lynette, Judy, Tracy and Domenic. They know me and my business. During COVID, they… were concerned with their business community staying visible to their readers during lockdown. It felt more like a community service than a newspaper!”
— Tom Bull, Two River Computer, Fair Haven
“Updates on local issues.”
— Peter W. Gronbeck, Holmdel
“I’m interested in local news and politics.”
— Maggie Wells, Red Bank
“Best coverage for local news. All your coverage on local schools and organizations, especially the League of Women Voters and all the work they do to safeguard democracy and inform voters.”
— Marianne Kligman, Middletown
“Love keeping up with local citizens and friends.”
— Rose Ciaburri, Jackson
“Good coverage of local events and people. Maybe too many (memories to share). Alas those that are most memorable are those in which I’ve been directly involved.”
— Connie H. Goddard, Tinton Falls
“Provides local news (and I enjoy) the weekly pictures taken at events.”
— Edward Rosen, Lincroft
“It’s the best and most interesting source of local news I know. I appreciate well-written letters to the editor.”
— Judy McCabe, Navesink
“Real reporting, with actual research and facts, not just fluff, so that all sides of a topic are presented. This is a vital local news source to understanding what is happening in real estate, redevelopment, and government actions that are being taken around land use. And it is people-focused as well. A true capsule of what’s going on. The TRT has very generously collaborated with the Lincroft Village Green Association to cover traffic and development issues that are of concern to residents of Lincroft. The reporters go to many public meetings to give an unbiased and thoughtful summations of decisions that are being made that affect our quality of life… for better or worse!”
— Melanie Elmiger, Lincroft
“It keeps me informed about what is happening locally.”
— Carol Keating, Tinton Falls
“Best local news.”
— Charles Deitz, Tinton Falls
“Local news, tides, anything about Sea Bright.”
— Arlyne Le Schack, Sea Bright
“(The Two River Times) seems to be the only news source for credible local news, particularly related to important political issues and developments in our local towns that affect the Two River area. (I) also appreciate food and business reviews.”
— Steve Heller, Fair Haven
“Keeps me current on local news. It is as unbiased as you can get. I appreciate how hard the staff works! Reporting of Middletown news in a clear fashion with the sway of the local politicians in Middletown. Enjoy all of the Netflix updates as well (and) stories about local children and scholarships.”
— Jodi Rose, Middletown
“No other source of in-depth local news. Great reporting.”
— Emily Smith, Atlantic Highlands
“Keeps me informed about what is going on in Monmouth County.”
— Denis Farley, Union City
“Excellent coverage of local news and exceptional reporting and photography.”
— Diane Kilzen, Atlantic Highlands
“I love having a weekly local paper, actually printed, and the nonprofit coverage is of particular interest to me. I also like to see the arts and culture happenings, and big capital projects like the hospital and Netflix. When there are controversial happenings, I like seeing some balanced reporting.”
— Pat Richter, Red Bank
“I like the local news and events. I enjoy the highlights of the events in the Two River towns, even when I don’t attend.”
— Bea Hornedo, Morganville
“(I’ve) been a subscriber almost since the paper’s inception. Since leaving the Two River area in the ’90s, it’s a way of staying connected to the area I love.”
— Dan Dean, Ft. Monmouth/Shrewsbury
“We bought the TRT at Butlers Deli until our move to North Carolina in 2017. Since then, I have been a subscriber. It keeps me informed about what is going on in the area.”
— Deborah Tallman
The article originally appeared in the December 18 – 24, 2025 print edition of The Two River Times.
