Hello 07728! Summer is hot, hot hot! I am excited for you to check out our Summer edition magazine dedicated to the lifestyle and community of Freehold.
The wealth of history in Western Monmouth County is abundant. In this issue – since School’s Out for the summer – we take a look at what schoolhouses once were. During the One Room Schoolhouse Tour of Western Monmouth County held in the spring, six historic schoolhouses were open to the public in a self-drive tour. “Due to the diligent work of several historic societies all of these buildings have been carefully restored and display many period artifacts including vintage desks, class attendance lists and photographs from bygone eras, as well as original architectural details,” Maureen O’Connor Leach explains. She is one of the commissioners on the Monmouth County Historical Commission as well as treasurer of the Country Schools Association of America. Take the tour and learn more on page 4.
After you take that self-drive historic tour, satisfy your sweet tooth at Bruno’s Bakery Gelateria addition. In June, the Settepani family expanded their bakery with the addition of the Gelateria in their adjacent room on Main Street. Incorporating his favorite flavors from his roots in Sicily, Chef Joseph Settepani is modernizing his father Biagio’s recipes to create a one-of-a-kind experience for his customers. “When you walk into the bakery, I tell customers you’ll have the experience of being in Sicily,” Settepani said. “Having a gelato, but with an American twist to it.” The shop will also offer sorbetto, baba dessert, and Brioche Con Gelato (a sandwich filled with gelato; Sicily’s version of an ice cream sandwich). Ooooh! The sweetness begins on page 8.
After satisfying that sweet tooth, enjoy a Broadway quality show at Center Players Playhouse. For two decades, The Center Playhouse has been the borough’s intimate “little theater” with 49 seats and a 14 -by-18 foot stage bringing “excitement, energy and a closeness” that comes with community theater. From its humble beginnings calling themselves the “Shopping Bag Players” because “we dragged everything all over the place” according to Artistic Director Bernice Garfield Szita, the company is on the lookout for a new place. They are optimistic, so as for now, the show must go on. Next up Center Players will present A Black and White Cookie, an original play written by Gary Morgenstein and directed by Garfield-Szita Aug. 11-27. To reserve tickets visit https://centerplayers.org/upcoming/ Learn more about Center Players Playhouse on page 12.
What would summer be without a fair? The history of Monmouth County Fair goes back 150 years showing off local farmers’ hard work. The tradition continues as the fair was held for the 48th consecutive year at the East Freehold Showgrounds from July 26-30. The fair has consistently gathered local community members to show off Jersey agriculture, stimulate appreciation for the local environment, enjoy good food and cold drinks, play games, ride rides, and appreciate talented artists’ live acts. “This is the largest multi-day event in Monmouth County and Jersey Shore area,” asserted Erika Bozza, chairperson for this year’s Monmouth County Fair. Today, the fair gives the Monmouth County Park system the chance to show off the expansive park and county land that’s available for New Jersey residents and visitors to enjoy year round. Currently the park system owns and operates over 18,000 acres of land in Monmouth County. See you at the fair on page 14.
All of this and more awaits on the pages ahead! Happy reading!
