Category: Independent Opinion

  • Keyport students create solar art

    Projects aim to encourage wider use of solar power Top: Art teacher Christina Cellas helps Anthony Kilroy and Bridget Roos make a model for a Dumbo-like ride. Above: Vimal Singh and Hector Rivera work on a design for a clock powered by solar panels that radiate from the clock like sunrays. KEYPORT — Seventh-graders at…

  • Nonprofits will face a year of challenge in 2009

    Guest Column • James Abruzzo The financial crisis of 2008 will have a serious negative effect on the nonprofit sector in New Jersey in 2009. The sector is comprised of many organizations that are often taken for granted until they are no longer there: after-school programs, food banks, homes for children with aids or organizations…

  • Marie Kanter

    Mrs. Kanter, 94, of Holmdel, died Jan. 26, 2009, at Arnold Walter Nursing Center, Holmdel. She worked in the family business of Grand Cleaners, New York City. She was predeceased by her husband, Philip Kanter, in 1991; a sister, Eleanor Hanson; and a brother, John Slangan. Mrs. Kanter is survived by a daughter, Linda Puccia…

  • ‘If you want your wish’

    PHOTOS BY CHRIS KELLY staff Above: Robert Christie, a student at William R. Satz School in Holmdel, rehearses his role as The Wolf in the school’s production of the musical “Into the Woods, Jr.” on Jan. 27. Below: Danielle Habiloy (l-r) tries a glass slipper on Dominique Balsamo while Isabella DeGregorio looks on as they…

  • George W. Bush: at least he has good taste in books

    Coda • GREG BEAN Besides hanging out at his Texas ranch since vacating the White House, George W. Bush has apparently been spending some of his free time planning his presidential library. The library, projected to cost between $200 million and $500 million, will sit on about 25 acres at Southern Methodist University in Dallas,…

  • Sydney Francis Keiser

    Mr. Keiser, 98, of Middletown, died Jan. 25, 2009, at Bayshore Community Hospital, Holmdel. He was a retired account executive at Josephthal & Company Inc., Brooklyn, N.Y., here he was employed more than 40 years. He was predeceased by his wife, Catherine Keiser, in 1991. He is survived by two sons and daughters in-law, Jim…

  • Honori ng service

    PHOTOS BY ERIC SUCAR staff Above: Fifth-graders at St. Mary School in Middletown sing the national anthem on Jan. 29 during an assembly honoring U.S. troops on active duty. Left: Science teacher Richard Muhlenbruck thanks the school community for the proclamation awarded to his son, James, who is deployed in Iraq.

  • District seeks to define discretionary spending

    Commissioner: Preschool expansion funding uncertain BY JAMIE ROMM Staff Writer MIDDLETOWN — The school district is looking for specifics in order to comply with a broad mandate from the state commissioner of education to freeze all nonessential and discretionary spending. The problem for school districts, Middletown Superintendent Karen Bilbao said at the Jan. 28 Board…

  • Ingrid Marie Nelson Singer

    Mrs. Singer, 98, of Smithfield, N.C., and formerly of Middletown and Rahway, died Dec. 25, 2008, at Carolina House, Smithfield, N.C. She taught in the Mountainside School District, retiring in 1973. She was predeceased by her husband, Austin L. Singer, in 1995; a son, Don Singer; and two brothers Ralph and Andrew Nelson. She is…