Category: Independent Opinion
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George Bakos
Mr. Bakos, 80, of Lady Lake, Fla., died Nov. 30, 2008, at home. He was a warehouseman and manager at Middletown Plumbing and Heating for 49 years, retiring in 1993. He resided in Middletown for 50 years, prior to relocating to Lady Lake, Fla., 15 years ago. He was predeceased by his first wife, Doris…
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Give to Mother Earth this holiday season
Your Turn Guest Column • Michele S. Byers As the holidays approach, many shoppers look for the elusive perfect gift. Children’s presents are easy — there’s never a shortage of new toys, games and electronics — but adults can be a challenge. How about giving a gift to Mother Earth instead? Replace frenzied, last-minute shopping…
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This season, blow up the TV and read a newspaper
Coda • GREG BEAN This is going to be a strange holiday season indeed. I knew it was off to a weird start when I stopped by the neighborhood liquor store the day before Thanksgiving to buy my annual bottle of Boggs Cranberry Liqueur. I buy one bottle of the stuff every year, and I…
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Janice J. Mahoney
Mrs. Mahoney, 71, of Holmdel, died Nov. 29, 2008, at the Laurel Bay Nursing Home, Keansburg. She was an administrator at Discovery House, Marlboro, for 10 years, retiring in 2000. She was predeceased by two brothers, John and Harry Balaney; and a sister, Grace Grabowski. She is survived by two sons and one daughterin law,…
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A Red/Blue imbroglio: one cheats, the other freaks
Red State/ Blue State • DAVE SIMPSON & GREG BEAN Dear Greg: Not far up the interstate from where I live, in a little town you’ve driven through hundreds of times, gasoline was selling for $1.39 a gallon last weekend. Pretty cool, huh? When I heard that, I thought about Peggy Joseph, the woman who…
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Neil James Callow
Mr. Callow, 51, of Carrollton, Texas, and formerly Hazlet, died Nov. 22, 2008. He was employed at JP Morgan Chase the past 20 years. He was predeceased by his father, Joseph Callow. He is survived by his wife, Sandra; his children, Anthony and Stephany; his mother, Ann Callow; a brother and sister-in-law, Wayne and Sherry…
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Eileen Thacker
Mrs. Thacker, 80, of Middletown, died Nov. 16, 2008, at home. She was predeceased by a son, John Thacker in 1989. She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Gary and Joy Thacker of Jackson; a daughter, Debra Thacker of Ocala, Fla., and two grandsons. A funeral liturgy was celebrated at St. Mary’s Chapel, Middletown.…
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Helping girls open the door of leadership
Throughout the rest of November, you may see your local Girl Scouts at various places around town selling nuts and candy. You will probably pause and say to yourself, “Since when do the Girl Scouts sell nuts and candy? They’re the cookie people.” While it is true that we’re known for cookies, Girl Scouts are…
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Robert M. O’Gara
Mr. O’Gara, 81, of Middletown, died Dec. 1, 2008. He was a retired employee at Geico Insurance Co., where he was employed several years. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Elaine F. O’Gara; two sons and daughters-in-law, Thomas R. and Patricia O’Gara, and Kenneth M. O’Gara; a daughter and son-in-law, Ann and…
