abc-logo
Taking care of your Loved One Is What We Do BEST!

It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always

Please submit form to schedule a

Personal Care Consultation

Local Magic Personal Care Consultation

Please submit this form below and we will chat shortly!

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Home Care In Leonardo, NJ

Home Care Leonardo, NJ

They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.

However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Leonardo's Horse Sculpture gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.

Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Leonardo, NJ is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

 In-Home Care Leonardo, NJ

location Service Areas

The Always Best Care Difference

Since 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.

Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.

The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.

×
TESTIMONIALS

“I just started using always best care for my dad The certified aids that came from the agency were fantastic This situation is new for myself and my dad For having no complaints from my dad is a plus So ty again for such an easy transition for my dad Much appreciated Susan”

susan A.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“Such an amazing company with employees who truly care about their business and those they take care of. Caretakers are top notch and customer service is great and they are available whenever you need them.”

Josie J.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“I am a current client of this provider I can’t begin to tell to you how pleased I am with Always Best Care. Not only have they placed the perfect caregiver with my mother they also take care of the billing and when I need to speak to a receptionist they are always available. Thank you!!”

Pamgoldberg
×
TESTIMONIALS

“I cannot thank Always Best Care enough for helping us find an ideal Assisted Living Facility for my mother. We moved to the city a month ago and had little idea about the local senior living communities. I’d like to thank the highly experienced and knowledgeable caregivers of Always Best Care for helping our family during the difficult time.”

Theodore S.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“I am a current client of this provider Your manager is always nice and flexible, and the caregivers are sweet and wonderful”

Leta J.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“I am a current client of this provider We are very happy with Always Best Care. They do 24hr care, and the caregiver is excellent. I would recommend them.”

Carla500226
×
TESTIMONIALS

“I am a current client of this provider We have hired Always Best Care. We have them for 5 to 6 weeks now. My mother practically does everything herself, but sometimes they might fix her her lunch, there might be a little bit of shopping, and they take her to her appointment. My mother is fine. The hours are fine. She got the hours that she requested. I know she is being billed on her credit card. They have been very helpful and very cooperative. The women always call back.”

Judy367738
×
TESTIMONIALS

“I am a current client of this provider We hired Always Best Care two weeks ago for my mom. The woman comes in three days a week to assist my mother with doing the wash, keeping the house picked up, and just talking to her. She’s wonderful. We interviewed several people, and there was just something about the way they were organized in their presentation and their follow up. that impressed us. They were a level above the other ones that we spoke to. They really listen to you about your needs and work very hard to match the caregiver up with what you’re looking for. We were very impressed with them.”

Nancy176801

What is Non-Medical Senior Care in Leonardo, NJ?

lm-check

Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.

lm-check

When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.

lm-check

The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.

lm-check

At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.

 Senior Care Leonardo, NJ

Types of Elderly Care in Leonardo, NJ

To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:

Personal Care

Personal Care Services

If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.

Common personal care services include assistance with:

  • Eating
  • Mobility Issues
  • Incontinence
  • Bathing
  • Dressing
  • Grooming

Respite Care Leonardo, NJ
Home Helper

Home Helper Services

Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.

Common home helper care services include assistance with:

  • Medication Reminders
  • Meal Preparation
  • Pet Care
  • Prescription Refills
  • Morning Wake-Up
  • Walking
  • Reading
 Caregivers Leonardo, NJ
Companionship Services

Companionship Services

Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Poricy Park Nature Center with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.

Common companionship services include:

  • Grocery Shopping
  • Transportation to Appointments
  • Nutritional Assistance
  • Conversation
  • Planning Outings
  • Completing Errands
  • Transportation to Community
  • Events and Social Outings
Home Care Leonardo, NJ
Respite Care

Respite Care Services

According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Pizzeria De Leonardo, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.

At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.

If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.

 In-Home Care Leonardo, NJ

Benefits of Home Care in Leonardo, NJ

Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:

Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.

Request More Information vector

Aging in Place: The Preferred Choice for Most Seniors

While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.

In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.

Here are just a few of the reasons why older men and women prefer to age at home:

How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?

A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.

With the help of elderly care in Leonardo, NJ, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.

Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.

Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.

For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.

More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.

In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.

With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.

 Elderly Care Leonardo, NJ

Affordable Care

In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.

Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.

At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.

In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:

If your loved one qualifies, Medicaid may help reduce in-home care costs. Review your NJ's Medicaid program laws and benefits, and make sure your senior's financial and medical needs meet Medicaid eligibility requirements.
Attendance and aid benefits through military service can cover a portion of the costs associated with in-home care for veterans and their spouses.
Many senior care services like in-home care are included in long-term care insurance options. Research different long-term care solutions to find a plan that provides coverage for senior care.
Home care can be included as part of a senior's private insurance plan. Read over your loved one's insurance policy carefully or speak with their insurance provider to determine if in-home care is covered.
Depending on the life insurance plan, you may be able to apply your policy toward long-term care. You may be able to use long-term-care coverage to help pay for in-home elderly care.
 Senior Care Leonardo, NJ

Compassionate Care. Trusted Caregivers.

When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.

Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.

At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Leonardo, NJ understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.

Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.

Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.

Assisted Living Referral Services

While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.

Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.


Respite Care Leonardo, NJ

At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.

Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:

  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry
  • Recreational Activities
  • Social Outings
  • Emergency Medical Response
  • Medication Monitoring
  • Family Visitation
  • Personal Care
 Caregivers Leonardo, NJ

At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.

Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.

Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:

  • All American Assisted Living at Tinton Falls
  • Serravalle Senior Care Solutions
  • Middletown Twp Senior Center
  • Millennium Memory Care at Holmdel
  • The Chelsea at Tinton Falls
  • The Willows at Holmdel
Home Care Leonardo, NJ

For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.

 In-Home Care Leonardo, NJ

Taking the First Step with Always Best Care

The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:

A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way

lm-right-arrow
01

A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive

lm-right-arrow
02

Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider

lm-right-arrow
03

Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.

If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.

At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Leonardo, NJ 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.

When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.

 Elderly Care Leonardo, NJ

Latest News in Leonardo, NJ

Leonardo Vazquez Named Executive Director Of Northern New Jersey Community Foundation

Hackensack, NJ - The Northern New Jersey Community Foundation's board of trustees (NNJCF) announced the appointment of Leonardo Vazquez, AICP/PP as the organization's Executive Director. Vazquez comes to NNJCF with more than 30 years of experience working as an urban planner, community economic development professional, creative placemaker, educator, journalist, and author.The NNJCF, a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) group with its main office in Hackensack, New Jersey, was established in 1998, and this year it marks its 25th anniversary. Th...

Hackensack, NJ - The Northern New Jersey Community Foundation's board of trustees (NNJCF) announced the appointment of Leonardo Vazquez, AICP/PP as the organization's Executive Director. Vazquez comes to NNJCF with more than 30 years of experience working as an urban planner, community economic development professional, creative placemaker, educator, journalist, and author.

The NNJCF, a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) group with its main office in Hackensack, New Jersey, was established in 1998, and this year it marks its 25th anniversary. The work of the Foundation is mainly focused on public health, philanthropy, civic engagement, education, and climate action.

"Leonardo Vazquez 's long history of leadership in the fields of urban planning, community economic development, and creative placemaking will substantially benefit northern New Jersey. His impact across the region will be maximized by his extensive nonprofit management experience in building collaborative community partnerships," said Michael Shannon, President of the Northern New Jersey Community Foundation.

Sign Up for FREE Hackensack Newsletter

Get local news you can trust in your inbox.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

“This is an exciting opportunity to serve northern New Jersey and to help communities through planning for climate change, creative placemaking, environmental justice and social justice initiatives. The Northern New Jersey Community Foundation undertakes many great things by promoting collaboration, bringing people and communities together to help them achieve more than they could alone. I am honored to join the Foundation and to be a part of this effort,” explained Vazquez.

As the founder and director of The National Consortium for Creative Placemaking and Creative Placemaking Communities, he used cutting-edge networking and professional development initiatives to expand the creative placemaking industry across the United States. His two organizations worked with over 8,000 individuals from the fields of cultural heritage, the arts, public policy, and other fields to investigate how to use the power of culture and the arts to improve communities.

Numerous national awards have been given to Vazquez for his work in urban planning, civic involvement, creative placemaking, and social justice. He received the National Planning Leadership Prize for Advancing Diversity and Social Justice in Honor of Paul Davidoff from the American Planning Association (APA) in 2012. Additionally, he authored or contributed to plans that were recognized with statewide honors by New Jersey Future and the APA's New Jersey Chapter.

In addition to two master's degrees in planning and public administration from the University of Southern California, Vazquez holds a bachelor of science in journalism from Northwestern University. At the following institutions: The New School, the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers State University of New Jersey, and The Knowlton School in the College of Engineering at The Ohio State University, he also taught a variety of subjects, including urban planning history and theory, economic development, creative placemaking, and planning ethics. He has written for several publications, including Leading from the Middle: Strategic Thinking for Urban Planning and Community Development Professionals and co-edited Dialogos: Placemaking in Hispanic Communities.

Vazquez, an Argentinean native who was raised in Staten Island, New York, has resided in New Jersey for more than 25 years and is a Maplewood resident. He participates in the Maplewood Arts Council and chairs the Sustainable Jersey Arts and Creative Culture Task Group. He is an advisor to the APA's Arts and Planning section as well as co-founder of the Latinos and Planning division.

Middletown Plans To Build Skate Park At Kunkel Park

Construction will start in August at the absolute earliest, or most likely in the fall of 2022. Learn more!|Updated Thu, Apr 7, 2022 at 4:33 pm ETAnother angle of the skate park (Middletown Twp.)MIDDLETOWN, NJ — At their meeting this past Monday night, the Middletown Township Committee approved a $1.3 million bond to build a new skate park at Bill Kunkel Memorial Park.This is Kunkel Park located on Brevent Avenue in Leonardo. There is currently an unused roller hockey rink there that local kids have turned...

Construction will start in August at the absolute earliest, or most likely in the fall of 2022. Learn more!

|Updated Thu, Apr 7, 2022 at 4:33 pm ET

Another angle of the skate park (Middletown Twp.)

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — At their meeting this past Monday night, the Middletown Township Committee approved a $1.3 million bond to build a new skate park at Bill Kunkel Memorial Park.

This is Kunkel Park located on Brevent Avenue in Leonardo. There is currently an unused roller hockey rink there that local kids have turned into a skate park. However, now Middletown Twp. wants to invest in the park and officially make it a skate park. The Henry Hudson Trail connects to that park.

Spohn Ranch, a skate park design firm, designed the proposed skate park and showed these renderings to the Township Committee Monday night on how it would look.

"It's an old roller rink that was not being utilized that was turned into a DIY skate park. That wasn't necessarily the best thing," said Mayor Tony Perry Monday night. "It's a great location, with the Henry Hudson Trail right there. It's something we can all really be proud of."

"The scoreboard will be turned into a cool design and really clean up that area of Kunkel Park," continued Perry.

Find out what's happening in Middletownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Middletown Twp. is still in the design stage and hopes to send this project out to bid this summer, with construction starting in August at the absolute earliest, or most likely in the fall of 2022. There are some wetlands around Kunkel Park that Middletown has to address there, too.

The bond means Middletown will borrow the money and Middletown taxpayers will pay it back.

As Patch already reported in February, Highlands is also getting a skate park at Snug Harbor; construction on that is supposed to start this spring.

Also on Monday, the Township Committee voted to purchase via eminent domain a lot at Fairview Fields on Oak Hill Road for $3.2 million, as reported by the Asbury Park Press. Middletown will also take out a bond to pay for Fairview Fields as well.

There will be a public hearing April 18 on both the new skate park and the Township's purchase of Fair View Fields. All are welcome to attend and give their thoughts.

Here is Monday night's Township Committee meeting; they start talking about the new skate park at 9:57:

Prior: Highlands Borough Getting A Skatepark: See Renderings

Sign up for Patch emails: https://patch.com/subscribe and don't miss important local news. Contact this Patch reporter: [email protected]

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

Whale gets stranded at state marina in Middletown, NJ

MIDDETOWN — A whale was found dead Wednesday at the state marina in Leonardo, the 17th to strand this year along the state's coast.The Marine Mammal Stranding Center said the carcass of a 20-foot Minke whale was wedged upside down between a breakwater and the bulkhead at the marina along Sandy Hook Bay.The tide was falling, making it impossible for equipment to bring in the equipment needed to remove the whale. Middletown Township Public Works and the MMSC are scheduled to recover the carcass Thursday morning at high tide...

MIDDETOWN — A whale was found dead Wednesday at the state marina in Leonardo, the 17th to strand this year along the state's coast.

The Marine Mammal Stranding Center said the carcass of a 20-foot Minke whale was wedged upside down between a breakwater and the bulkhead at the marina along Sandy Hook Bay.

The tide was falling, making it impossible for equipment to bring in the equipment needed to remove the whale. Middletown Township Public Works and the MMSC are scheduled to recover the carcass Thursday morning at high tide.

The reason for the reddish color on the whale was not disclosed.

Whale not removed right away

It is the second Minke whale to strand itself at the Jersey Shore.

A 22-foot Minke stranded itself several times in shallow water around Barnegat Bay at the beginning of October only to be brought to deeper water by MMSC volunteers. Its body weakened with every near-stranding until it was euthanized. It was towed to Island Beach State Park for a necropsy.

Minkes are the smallest whales and are not endangered or threatened. They are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.

Wind farm controversy

As New Jersey continues to push forward with wind power development off the coast, opponents have asked for a pause in work in order for an investigation into a possible connection to the strandings.

Their requests have been rejected by the Murphy administration, whose officials say there is no evidence linking the deaths to the work of mapping the ocean floor to prepare for construction.

Cape May County and several local groups filed a lawsuit against the federal government, hoping to bury plans to erect a wind farm off of New Jersey's southern coast.

At the same time, an ocean advocacy group is calling on leaders in New Jersey to quit green-lighting any offshore wind development for the future.

Previous reporting by Dino Flammia was used in this report

History of the M&M: How each amazing color came to be

Even the colors themselves have a fascinating backstory.

NJ bears prep for winter: Here's what attracts them to your yard

Black bears are on the move in New Jersey and all 21 counties need to be ready.

YMCA Launches Baby Pantry Drive in Leonardo

RED BANK, NJ: The YMCA of Greater Monmouth County is opening their Pop-Up Baby Pantry the first Friday of every month. Supplies are distributed on a first come, first served basis.The need for diapers doesn’t have to be overwhelming!On average, babies need 6 diapers a day and newborns need more than double that. Not having diapers can lead to less frequent changes, causing severe diaper rash, urinary tract and staph inf...

RED BANK, NJ: The YMCA of Greater Monmouth County is opening their Pop-Up Baby Pantry the first Friday of every month. Supplies are distributed on a first come, first served basis.

The need for diapers doesn’t have to be overwhelming!

On average, babies need 6 diapers a day and newborns need more than double that. Not having diapers can lead to less frequent changes, causing severe diaper rash, urinary tract and staph infections, and other health conditions.

Sign Up for FREE Red Bank Newsletter

Get local news you can trust in your inbox.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Supporting Families

The Bayshore Family Success Center is excited to continue our monthly Pop-Up Baby Pantry. Inventory is based on community donations and includes diapers, wipes, rash cream/ointment, and formula. We have been fortunate to have a caring community continuously support us, and we are currently well-stocked!

For more information, contact the Y at [email protected].

What: Monthly Baby Pantry

Where: Bayshore Family Success Center, 945 State Route 36 Leonardo For more information, please contact 732.497.3811 or [email protected].

When: Every First Friday

Time: 10:00 - 12:00pm

Support Red Bank Small Businesses!

Please Support our Sponsors!

Want to Grow Your Business? Of course, You Do!

TAPinto Red Bank is free to read, funded entirely by business marketing partnerships – 43% of our readers have purchased a product or service from a TAPinto advertiser!

If you enjoyed this article, please “Like” and “Follow” us on the TAPinto Red Bank Facebook page, and sign up for our daily e-news, so you’ll never miss what’s happening in Red Bank!

And please share this article with your friends and family!

Know a local story we should share with readers? Email Editor E. Scott Wingerter and tell him about it

Leonardo's TST BBQ Adds Hazlet Location

HAZLET, NJ — Charles and Joanne Mule opened TST Country Bar & Grill in Hazlet in November, after starting TST BBQ & Mini Golf in Leonardo back in 2017.TST stands for Top Shelf Gate, which hearkens back to the origins of the business: Tailgating for concerts and football games."We grew rapidly and couldn’t handle the amount of business from home so we were just looking for a kitchen to run tailgating and catering from. Then we came across our Leonardo location," Charles Mule told Patch.A year...

HAZLET, NJ — Charles and Joanne Mule opened TST Country Bar & Grill in Hazlet in November, after starting TST BBQ & Mini Golf in Leonardo back in 2017.

TST stands for Top Shelf Gate, which hearkens back to the origins of the business: Tailgating for concerts and football games.

"We grew rapidly and couldn’t handle the amount of business from home so we were just looking for a kitchen to run tailgating and catering from. Then we came across our Leonardo location," Charles Mule told Patch.

A year after opening in Leonardo, they bought the adjacent gold course.

"We did all this with no restaurant experience, just a love of BBQ, family, friends and community," Mule said.

Find out what's happening in Holmdel-Hazletwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

As the name indicates, TST BBQ is all about the meats — everything from pulled pork to racks of ribs. Among other dishes in the menu, Mule also highlighted the Texas Twinkies, which is bacon-wrapped jalapeño stuffed with cream cheese and brisket.

"We will never sacrifice product for profit," Mule said. "We always buy the best cuts of meat, we truly smoke everything ourselves in-house regardless of the conditions or time it takes. It’s a labor of love and I think our food shows that."

More recently, they have also come up with a vegan menu, which at the Hazlet location includes vegan burgers, a vegan apple crisp and a smoked tofu platter.

The fact there were so many empty storefronts with the pandemic ended up presenting an opportunity for the duo to expand.

"We came across the Hazlet location and after lots of thoughts and negotiations, it was something we thought we could make work. Hazlet itself needed something (in that location)," Mule said.

The recent uptick in COVID-19, however, was a challenge to overcome and came not long after the new location opened.

"(A) combination of this spike and Christmas and New Years falling on Fridays and Saturdays (our busiest nights) was really a tough blow," Mule said. "But we came through it and are fighting forward."

The Leonardo location has a 45-minute eating challenge called the Beast Challenge. Mule said diners could look forward to a new one coming to Hazlet in the next couple of weeks.

Have a news tip, correction or comment? Email [email protected]

Disclaimer:

This website publishes news articles that contain copyrighted material whose use has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. The non-commercial use of these news articles for the purposes of local news reporting constitutes "Fair Use" of the copyrighted materials as provided for in Section 107 of the US Copyright Law.