Rein Dancer Therapeutic Riding Center, at Laurita Equestrian Center, 31 Archertown Road, in the New Egypt section of Plumsted, will hold its first hands-on volunteer training session on April 8 at 11 a.m. Rein Dancer Therapeutic Riding Center is a new program with experienced staff and well trained horses. According to a press release, therapeutic riding provides students of all ages with physical, emotional and mental rewards. Riding can strengthen and relax muscles, improve posture, coordination and balance, increase joint mobility, develop confidence, patience, discipline and concentration. It provides students with a sense of accomplishment and self-satisfaction. This training session will be for volunteers working directly with the lesson program as sidewalkers, leaders, groomers and horse care. For more information or to register for the session, call Barbara Isaac, (609) 758- 7624.
Laurel Hester memorial scholarship announced
The domestic partner of deceased Ocean County Prosecutor’s Investigator Laurel Hester and a former co-worker have established a scholarship fund in Hester’s name. Stacie Andree, of Point Pleasant, and former co-worker Dane Wells, of Jackson, announced the creation of the Laurel Hester Scholarship Fund, to be administered by The Personal Liberty Fund (TPLF) of the New Jersey Lesbian and Gay Coalition.
The scholarship will be for the benefit of young adults who have shown leadership in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex community.
Those wishing can address contributions to the Laurel Hester Scholarship Fund/TPLF c/o The Personal Liberty Fund, P.O. Box 11335, New Brunswick 08906-1335.
Hester, a lesbian, died earlier this month of lung cancer at age 49. She rose to national prominence in recent months when she appealed to the Ocean County Board of Freeholders to extend her death benefit so that Andree, her longtime domestic partner, could receive Hester’s pension. For more information on The Personal Liberty Fund and The New Jersey Lesbian and Gay Coalition, visit www.njlgc.org.
Outstanding teachers
honored by school board
Nine teachers from the Jackson School District were recognized as teachers of the year at the March 28 meeting of the Jackson Board of Education.
Superintendent of Schools Thomas Gialanella said the annual recognition of the district’s teachers of the year is a special time to reflect on their contributions to the district.
“It’s an honor to be able to recognize our teachers of the year for all they do for our students,” Gialanella said. “They are the heart of the district, they work extremely hard and they will stop at nothing to help our children succeed. We are very proud of them.”
The teachers who were honored, and their schools, were: Linda Selitto (Craw-ford-Rodriguez), Alyssa Agoston (Elms), Carol Ann Shilan (Holman), Susan Woolverton (Johnson), Donna Mollica (Rosenauer), Christine Temple (Switlik), Adrienne Previtera (Goetz Middle School), Jamie Boccia (McAuliffe Middle School) and Maureen Craddock (Jackson Memorial High School).
Tour of Lakewood’s
historic sites May 9
The Lakewood Community School is accepting reservations for the Historic Tour of Lakewood scheduled for May 9 from 10 a.m to 4:30 p.m. Edith and Sheldon Wolpin will take participants to Lakewood recreational and municipal facilities, schools, churches, synagogues, the Strand Theatre, and more. Lunch included. The fee is $16. Details and reservations: (732) 905-3685.
Grand jury decides
not to indict teacher
Monmouth County First Assistant Prosecutor Peter Warshaw said a Land O’ Pines Elementary School, Howell, teacher who has been suspended from her job with pay since December was not indicted by a grand jury. He said the criminal matter is the case is now closed.
According to Howell school district spokeswoman Cherylyn Salerno, the female second grade teacher is in her fifth year of employment with the district. She has been suspended with pay since December.
The teacher’s suspension reportedly involved the alleged taping of a student or students to chairs.
“The Board of Education members will determine her status as soon as they receive the information from the prosecutor’s office,” Salerno said.
Women to be taught
basic self-defense
A women’s self-defense class will be held from 6-9 p.m. April 25 at the Melvin Cottrell Center for Seniors and the Disabled, 45 Don Connor Blvd., Jackson. The class is open to women of all ages and fitness levels. Girls between the ages of 13 and 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Township Committeeman Mike Kafton said, “Women need to learn what they can and cannot do if attacked. Probably one of the most important rules they can learn is to be aware of their environment at all times.”
Patrolman Fred Bauer, a 17-year veteran of the Howell Police Department, will instruct the class. He will teach basic techniques for self-protection and how to avoid becoming a victim.
“In addition to teaching women how to physically protect themselves, we also stress ways that women can psychologically talk their way out of a potential assault,” said Bauer.
Participants are advised to wear sneakers and comfortable clothing. The class is free. Donations for Providence House, which provides safe haven for victims of domestic violence, will be accepted. To register for the class, call Kafton’s office at (732) 905-7898.
Tangled Thread class
seeks yarn donations
The Howell Senior Citizens Center needs donations of yarn for its Tangled Thread class, a free knitting and crochet class. Members of the class knit and crochet items for needy children of Howell and other towns, hats for chemotherapy patients who have lost their hair, items for homebound senior citizens, and items for victims of domestic violence. Dona-tions of four-ply sport yarn or baby yarn are needed. Donations may be dropped off at the senior center, on the lower level of the municipal complex, 251 Preven-torium Road. The Tangled Thread class meets at the senior center Thursdays at 1 p.m. The class is free and open to Howell residents age 60 and over. Details: (732) 938-4500, ext. 2550.