BUSINESS BRIEFS

Dr. Miriam T. Furlong of Jackson Orthodontics has invited patients and the community to trade in their Halloween candy for a reward. For every pound of Halloween candy turned in, Dr. Furlong will pay participants $2, up to 5 pounds of candy per person. A matching amount will be donated to the Jackson Women of Today food pantry. Collected candy will be used to benefit military members overseas via care packages. This event is open to Jackson Orthodontics patients and the community. Dr. Furlong’s office will accept new, wrapped Halloween candy at the weigh-in from Nov. 4-30 during office hours, Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Details: 732-942-8400.

New Jersey Natural Gas (NJNG), a subsidiary of New Jersey Resources, has announced the opening of the first public access compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling station in Monmouth County at Shore Point Distributing Company, Route 33, Freehold Township.

The construction of the CNG fueling station is part of NJNG’s pilot program, the NGV Advantage. With approval from the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, NJNG invested $10 million to build, own and maintain the infrastructure for three public CNG fueling stations in its service territory. The station at Shore Point’s Freehold Township’s facility is the second to become operational.

Prior to the opening of NJNG’s stations, there had been only eight CNG fueling stations open to the public in New Jersey, which has been a major obstacle to increased use of natural gas vehicles (NGV).

The investment in the CNG station at Shore Point and other host sites is an important step in further developing the use of NGVs and, in particular, making it a viable option for area fleets to convert to a cleaner domestic fuel. According to a study prepared for the California Energy Commission, natural gas-powered vehicles produce between 20 and 30 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions than those vehicles powered by diesel.

Joy Geldart was recently appointed as a part-time local pastor to Squankum United Methodist Church in Howell. Geldart leads Bible studies, participates in vacation Bible school and has a background in marketing. She is married to John and they have two adult children, three grandchildren and their dog, Suzy. Squankum United Methodist Church was founded in 1834. The congregation supports the Joshua House food pantry and a collection of food for a Thanksgiving giveaway. Worship services are held at 9:30 a.m. Sunday and there is Sunday school for children.

In celebration of the opening of Ocean- First Bank’s 27th branch, at 10 Leesville Road, Jackson, the bank is introducing customers to new personal teller stations. This technology allows an OceanFirst teller in a remote location to complete the customer’s transaction for them. There is no ATM card or PIN required and the teller and customer see and speak with each other over a high-speed video link.