Darryl J. Reid of Prestige Travel Services, Howell, has achieved Commodore status in the Cunard Academy training program, certifying him as a Cunard Line expert for booking travel on the company’s flagship Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and new liner Queen Elizabeth. As a Commodore, Reid joins an exclusive group of travel professionals who are now recognized by Cunard at the academy’s highest level for their qualifications and knowledge as a voyage planning professional. Reid earned this distinction after completing the minimum 25 courses necessary to graduate.
Bonefish Grill, which is due to open its doors on Jan. 27 at 55 Route 9, Manalapan, is accepting applications for 120 positions, including server, host, bartender and kitchen staff. Applications can be made through Jan. 27 at www.bloominbrandscareers.com. Interviews will be conducted with qualified candidates who apply online. Details: http://www.bonefishgrill.com.
Drive Safer, a provider and advocate of driving safety for teenagers and adults, will host its inaugural central New Jersey training program on Dec. 15 at Raceway Park, Old Bridge. The program gives drivers of all ages a hands-on “crash course” in car control and defensive driving. The one-day event, which combines hands-on, behindthe wheel training with classroom instruction in vehicle dynamics and car control, goes beyond traditional driver’s education, enabling participants to experience a range of real-life situations. Details: Visit the website www.drivesafer.com.
Seven home health aides from Preferred Home Health Care and Nursing Services (PHHC), Eatontown, a company that provides home care for individuals in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, recently received awards for “Going the Extra Mile” at the 2013 Home Health Aide Recognition Day, sponsored by the Home Care Association of New Jersey, at the PNC Bank Arts Center, Robert B. Meyner Reception Center, Holmdel.
The Home Health Aide of the Year is awarded to certified home health aides who have demonstrated excellence, leadership and compassion throughout his or her career. The HHAs of the Year from PHHC are Marsha Ciali, Brick Township; Jen Blair, Eatontown; Princess Walker, Galloway; Roslyn Harris, Mount Laurel; Yina Charlot, North Brunswick; and Denise High, South Orange.
PHHC aide Rubin Boamah, North Brunswick, was named Rookie of the Year, an award given to an individual who has been a certified home health aide for less than two years but has already exhibited excellence and growth in the role.
In November, all 23 offices of Amboy Bank collected food and household items for food banks in their branch area. Every Amboy office manager selected a food bank to collect for in the community. In many cases Amboy has a strong relationship with the organizations, including Elijah’s Promise in New Brunswick, the Old Bridge Food Bank, and the Samaritan Center in Manalapan.
Gregory Scharpf, chief retail banking officer, said, “Thanks to the support of our generous clients and neighbors, the program has been a huge success. We were able to distribute our collectables in time for Thanksgiving.”
Kristin H. Fee, CPA, of Howell, has joined the Mironov Group Certified Public Accountants and Consultants as quality control assistant in the Edison office. Fee has nearly 20 years of professional accounting experience that spans private and public accounting, serving most recently as a senior manager with a regional firm where she was a technical reviewer and preparer of corporate and individual tax returns. She also supervised staff and managed audit, review and compilation engagements.
The Orchards at Bartley assisted living residence, 100 North County Line Road, Jackson, is offering Virtual Dementia Tours for the community by appointment. The tour is a hands-on, experiential tool kit that shows professional and family caregivers what it is like to suffer from the physical and mental challenges of dementia. The tour can be completed in less than 20 minutes. Details: 732-370-4700.
A Marine Corps Reserve Toys For Tots program, sponsored by Bartley Healthcare, 175 Bartley Road, Jackson, is being conducted through Dec. 17. Community members are encouraged to bring new, unwrapped gifts for children ages infant through 15 to the main lobby of Bartley Healthcare or to The Orchards at Bartley assisted living residence, 100 North County Line Road, Jackson. Details: 732-370-4700.
The National Association of Health Underwriters has announced that the Monmouth Ocean Chapter of the New Jersey Association of Health Underwriters has received Silver Certification for the second year in a row. The chapter represents health insurance brokers and other industry professionals in Monmouth and Ocean counties. The group was recognized for this award as part of NAHU’s Chapter Certification Program, which recognizes excelling chapters throughout the calendar year.
Manasquan Savings Bank has announced that after serving on the bank’s board of directors for more than 34 years, Thomas W. Applegate retired Nov. 1. Applegate also served as chairman of the board for eight years. Applegate’s service as president of the Bay Head Building and Loan Association fostered what would come to be a legacy of involvement with Manasquan Savings Bank. Upon the group’s acquisition by the bank, Applegate was appointed director in 1979 and chairman in 1997. He will continue to advise the bank in his new designation as director emeritus.
Harmony Bank recently reported the results for the quarter and the nine months ending Sept. 30, 2013.
For the quarter, which ended Sept. 30, the bank reported net income of $379,109 or 25 cents per share, compared to $240,268 or 15 cents per share for the same period in 2012, an increase of $138,841 or 57.8 percent.
For the nine months, which ended Sept. 30, the bank reported net income of $797,637 or 52 cents per share, an increase of $256,576 or 52.4 percent over the $541,061 or 34 cents per share reported for the same period in 2012.
On Sept. 20, Harmony Bank paid a 5 percent common stock dividend to shareholders of record as of Sept. 6.
As of Sept. 30, the total assets of Harmony Bank were $199.1 million, an increase of 39.1 percent over the $143.1 million reported Sept. 30, 2012. Total loans were $131.0 million as of Sept. 30, compared to $113.6 million as of Sept. 30, 2012, an increase of 15.3 percent. Total deposits at the bank increased 43.2 percent to $180.0 million at Sept. 30, compared to $125.7 million at Sept. 30, 2012.
Harmony Bank is a state-chartered FDIC-insured commercial bank that opened in September 2008. Its headquarters are in Jackson, and additional branch offices are in Lakewood and Toms River.
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