National Night Out attracts
crowd in Freehold Borough
By clare MARie celano
Staff Writer
FREEHOLD — Friends and families came together with local police and community organizations to celebrate National Night Out 2003 on Aug. 4.
Mother Nature, who had relentlessly dumped buckets of rain, during the day, gave the borough a break between 6-9 p.m. and allowed all those who came to the Monmouth County Hall of Records Annex parking lot time to enjoy the fun and festivities the Freehold Borough Police Department had planned for them.
This year’s event topped last year’s in terms of attendance, which pleased Patrol-man Craig Dispenza, who has organized the event for the last three years.
"It gets bigger and better every year," Dispenza said, adding that last year’s event drew about 200 people. This year, Dispenza said, the tally was more than 300. He said the event is meant to bring members of the community together to meet with police and to introduce residents to community organizations.
This year’s National Night Out had attractions lined up that were bigger and better than last year’s.
Children of all ages played on giant inflatable rides donated by local businesses. La Palma grocery store donated the Hide and Slide Dragon; El Meson restaurant provided the Fire House Bounce; Oaxaca’s grocery donated the Moon Walk; and Niko’s Lawn and Landscaping donated the T-Summi Slide.
Children were treated to pony rides, sponsored by Central Dental Care/Dr. Fred DePekary. A section of the parking lot was sectioned off for two ponies to carry around the little ones.
Youngsters didn’t seem to mind waiting in line for the ponies or for the swirling blue cotton candy that many indulged in. Face painting and animal balloons made by a clown were also on tap for youngsters, made possible through the sponsorship of the Mehr, La France and Basen law firm.
Freehold’s finest men and women were seen in nontraditional roles at the event. Popcorn, donated by Party Towne, was made fresh by Freehold Borough police officers Maribel Mora and Walter Perski.
Other officers donned different "hats," like Lt. Phil Ecks, who pumped helium into balloons all night. Ecks also gave away plenty of whistles, toys and T-shirts.
Police Chief Michael Beierschmitt welcomed residents and introduced himself to children. Sgt. Andrew DeMuth showed off a police car, complete with all of the lights and sirens, along with Lt. Mitch Roth.
Volunteers from the Freehold First Aid and Emergency Squad and the Freehold Fire Department were also in attendance, displaying their vehicles and explaining how they work.
Stan Koba of the Half Brothers performed and was joined toward the end of the evening by Mission Dance’s Lee Deedmeyer. Koba’s regular singing partner, Heshy Moses, was unavailable.
Representatives of community groups handed out information and spoke with visitors.
Jayne Carr, executive director of the Freehold Center Partnership, was also in attendance. The partnership helped build the stage and assisted with the advertising, according to Dispenza.
Also represented were George Long of the Freehold Community Alliance to Prevent Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, and CentraState Medical Center’s health awareness van which conducted health screenings. Representatives from the YMCA of Western Monmouth County, Freehold Township, the YMCA Commun-ity Center, Freehold Borough, and the Sunrise Optimist Club were also in attendance.
Karen Burst arranged for Sponge Bob Squarepants to make a visit as part of the evening’s events. Led around by Amanda Heege, 14, of Jackson, the character strolled the parking lot, greeting children, collecting smiles and posing for pictures.