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.
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 Squan Village Historical Society 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 Manasquan, NJ is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 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.
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“I cannot thank Always Best Care enough for helping us find an ideal Assisted Living”
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“I am a current client of this provider We hired Always Best Care two weeks ago”
“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”
“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.”
“It is a pleasure to work for someone that genuinely respects caregivers for the job we do!”
“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!!”
“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.”
“I am a current client of this provider Your manager is always nice and flexible, and the caregivers are sweet and wonderful”
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
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.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
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.
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.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home 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:
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:
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 Mallard Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
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 Blend on Main or visit Glimmer Glass Bridge, 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.
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:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
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.
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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.
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 Manasquan, 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.
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:
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 Manasquan, 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.
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.
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:
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:
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.
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
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
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 Manasquan, 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.
MANASQUAN -- Growing up in an artistic family in Freehold and Howell, Tym Roth loved to draw and appreciated the particular brand of creativity involved in tattooing — so much so that as an adult, he left the security of a successful corporate career in order to combine those two passions and launch The Dark Matter Tattoo Co.Opened in 2022, this Manasquan ta...
MANASQUAN -- Growing up in an artistic family in Freehold and Howell, Tym Roth loved to draw and appreciated the particular brand of creativity involved in tattooing — so much so that as an adult, he left the security of a successful corporate career in order to combine those two passions and launch The Dark Matter Tattoo Co.
Opened in 2022, this Manasquan tattoo shop specializes in a range of “permanent tattoos for your temporary vessel” and prides itself on celebrating each client’s individuality.
“My mother loves to remind me that I used to draw on the walls as a kid,” said Roth, 38, a Howell resident. “Art was one of the few subjects in school that I took seriously.”
But while Roth had an affinity for drawing, he opted for a more formal career after high school when he accepted a position at Procter & Gamble’s manufacturing facility in Rahway, where he worked for the next 12 years.
“Over time, I became their union secretary and traveled the world with the company negotiating union contracts and dealing with arbitration,” he said. When it was then announced in 2018 that his facility would be relocating to another state, he found himself at a professional crossroads.
“I was offered a separation package and officially accepted a transfer to California, but I ultimately elected not to go because I didn’t want to leave my home at the Jersey Shore,” he said. “I saw the moment as an opportunity to do something else and decided that I’d either open a tattoo shop or a food truck.”
The appeal of being a tattoo artist won out.
“I got into tattooing at age 31 and had no formal training prior to that,” said Roth, who began pursuing a path to the required 2,000 hours of training under a mentor that he needed to get his state license.
“I called a couple of tattoo shops and set up an appointment with a local tattoo artist named Lauren who I knew from growing up and she agreed to meet with me about becoming an apprentice," Roth said. "I shared my appreciation for the art, my ability and willingness to learn, and my years of professional experience in the corporate arena and was lucky and grateful to get an apprenticeship with her.
“I learned so much from Lauren, who at that point had been a tattoo artist for 16 years, and I completed my hours and got my license in just under a year because I was so motivated,” said Roth, who accepted a job working at her shop full-time.
While he enjoyed being his beloved mentor’s right-hand man for the next several years, the need for greater flexibility soon became paramount. “I became a father during that time," he explained, "and I decided that I wanted to go into business for myself."
In February 2022, Roth opened a Sola salon suite in Wall under the name Kno Good Art, “but I soon outgrew the space and missed the walk-in shop experience and camaraderie of a town,” he said. “As an avid surfer and skateboarder, I knew I had to go to the Shore, and Manasquan was one of the few towns that didn’t have a tattoo shop,” he said of the space he eventually found on Curtis Avenue.
When it came to establishing his brand, “I do pretty much every type of tattooing, but I’m known for a lot of black and gray and geometric work, so Dark Matter Tattoo Co. felt like a good name and embodies who I am,” he said.
Three years later, in his 900-square-foot shop with a “gothic tropical” vibe, “what sets me apart from other shops is my structure and the respect I have for tattooing and for my clients, for whom tattoos are an important reflection of their individuality,” Roth said. “Clients can share random words with me regarding the tattoo they want and what I design and draw is exactly what they envision.
“I understand what a big deal tattoos are to people, and I’ve talked some clients out of getting a tattoo if I felt it wasn’t right for them,” Roth said. “What you get from me is a responsible tattooist who’s going to be honest with you and set realistic expectations.”
As for his services, “I do everything from simpler lettering pieces which involve handwriting all the way up to complex sleeve and back tattoo sessions that take hours,” Roth said.
“Walk-in lettering pieces typically take under 90 minutes and start at $100, while hand or palm-size tattoos take two to four hours depending on their level of detail and placement and generally range from $300 to $700. For bigger jobs involving multiple sessions, I charge an hourly rate of $150 per hour,” he said of tattoo jobs that can take up to 10 or 12 hours.
But regardless of the ease or complexity of the client’s tattoo, “everyone gets my undivided attention, and my dark geometry holds up over time,” he said.
According to Roth, his clients run the gamut.
“My youngest client is a 16-year-old and my oldest is a woman in her eighties,” he said. “I have clients who have been coming to me since I was an apprentice giving free tattoos, some from as far away as Connecticut, Washington, D.C. and Florida. And I have many local clients through word of mouth because I’ve become ingrained in this community.”
Among trends, Roth said that much has changed in the tattoo industry, even within the eight years he’s been in the profession.
“It used to be that people walked into tattoo shops and picked a design off a wall, but today, with the internet, people know exactly what they want and direct message me with images,” he said. “There’s still strong demand for geometry and traditional tattoos — religious images, skulls and roses are still very popular themes — and there’s also a big trend towards more delicate work such as ornamental finger and hand tattoos.”
With data showing that some 40% of people ages 18 to 34 possess at least one tattoo, “I also think that tattoos have become more socially acceptable over time,” he said. “Tattoos used to be associated with gangsters and criminals, but now they’re body art.”
Whatever design people choose, however, “tattoos represent a snapshot of a time, place, and emotion in life,” Roth said. “I give clients tattoos, and they share life lessons with me.”
Among challenges, “it’s amazing to see how fast the boundaries of this field get pushed,” Roth said of the competitive and saturated tattoo industry. “You have to keep up or you’ll get left behind, which is why I don’t focus on fads but rather on the foundation and art.”
And while his busy season (spring through Christmas) often keeps him tattooing from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. 5 to 6 days a week, “I see tattooing as a privilege and am grateful that business is so strong and growing.”
Looking ahead, he hopes to move to a more customer-facing location on Main Street in downtown Manasquan. Until then, however, “I want to keep the tradition of tattooing alive and give it to the next generation,” said Roth, who himself sports over 24 tattoos and currently mentors an apprentice in his shop.
“Tattooing is a sacred art, and I want to protect and care for it and give that experience to someone else, just as it was given to me,” he said. “And I hope to open my own taco truck one day too!”
Roth said he never expected all of the blessings he’s enjoying today.
“I used to wear a suit to work, and many people don’t know that previous version of myself,” said Roth, who credits his success in the tattoo field to “effort, time and belief in myself.”
As for his favorite part of his job, “I love seeing a client’s face when we do their ‘big reveal’ — it’s very fulfilling to see how much clients feel like themselves with a great tattoo, and I love making someone feel more comfortable in their own skin in whatever way they define it,” he said.
“I’ve tattooed people all over the world and multiple generations within the same family and I appreciate the beauty in all of it,” Roth confirmed. “I love creating images that outlive me and knowing that these tattoos will be walking the earth long after I’m gone.”
Location: 105 Curtis Ave., Manasquan
Phone: 732-759-5204
Owner: Tym Roth
Opened: 2022
Instagram: www.instagram.com/thedmtcompany
HOOK LINE & SINKERAsbury Park PressThe ocean temperature is creeping up to 60 degrees, which is starting to attract more fish, like the very bullish cownose rays, which are known to pull the occasional unmanned fishing rod out of a sand spike.The bay temps are spiking up more quickly than the ocean. During the peak of Wednesday's heat, the weather buoy at Barnegat Light hit 69.1 degrees....
HOOK LINE & SINKER
Asbury Park Press
The ocean temperature is creeping up to 60 degrees, which is starting to attract more fish, like the very bullish cownose rays, which are known to pull the occasional unmanned fishing rod out of a sand spike.
The bay temps are spiking up more quickly than the ocean. During the peak of Wednesday's heat, the weather buoy at Barnegat Light hit 69.1 degrees.
On Monday, Greg Cudnik, at Fisherman's Headquarters in Ship Bottom, said he observed a school of cownose gliding through Barnegat Inlet. Later in the day, Cudnik was drifting for fluke in Barnegat Bay, and spotted more of them cruising through. Nick Honachefsky also bumped into them on Island Beach State Park when a cownose ate a clam bait he had set out to catch a black drum or striped bass.
Blowfish and kingfish are starting to appear in the surf on Long Beach Island. The blowfish have also begun to funnel into Barnegat Bay. Cudnik said he first noticed blowfish on May 29, when they were knawing at his Gulp baits. The Asbury Park Press hasn't received any reports of kings or blowfish north of LBI, yet.
Small cocktail size bluefish have been in and out of the surf and inlets. The Queen Mary party boat stopped on a pile of them in Manasquan Inlet early Tuesday morning on its way out to reefs and rockpiles for sea bass. The Dave and his son Cole Riback, have added a new boat, the 75-foot Point Princess to their operation. Dave said they're going to use that one for private charters and family friendly trips that will run this summer from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Speaking of sea bass, that remains the most bang for the buck for fishermen looking to fill a cooler. Alan Shinn said the Miss Belmar got into a mess of fish on Wednesday. The main target was the sea bass and he said many of his fares caught their 10-fish bag limit, but they also landed fluke, ling and some Boston mackerel which have showed up. How long the macks stick around for is anyone's guess.
The ocean temps are starting to get into the neighborhood where the fluke like it. Capt. Jerry Postorino on the Fish Monger II, said they scouted for them a couple of times this week after cleaning up on the sea bass. His drifts were all off the coast of Monmouth County. He's observed a decent amount of bites, lots of short fish but some nice keepers mixed in especially for the short amount of time they've tried it.
If you're looking for fresh lobster, the Riddler, which docks near the Norma K III in Point Pleasant Beach is gearing up for a new season. The boat is getting ready to soak their traps and customers can buy them right at the dock when they come in.
The Big Jamaica went offshore for tilefish for a 36 hour trip. Capt. Howard Bogan Jr. said they wound up with a solid catch of good size fish up to the 38-pound pool winner caught by Danny Ciaburri from Oak Ridge. Several of his fairs caught their limits. The catch include golden and blueline tiles. The boat has two more trips leaving 10 p.m. on June 22 and 29.
When Jersey Shore native Dan Radel is not reporting the news, you can find him in a college classroom where he is a history professor. Reach him at [email protected].
PISCATAWAY – Four days after a storybook result a year in the making, Manasquan produced an historic win for the record books.It would have been impossible to top the drama of Manasquan’s Griffin Linstra’s game-winner in the final seconds to beat Camden in Wednesday’s NJSIAA Group 2 semifinal, some 12 months after Linstra’s apparent winning score in the final second against Camden was incorrectly called off by game officials.The next challenge was avoiding a letdown at Jersey Mike’s Arena Sun...
PISCATAWAY – Four days after a storybook result a year in the making, Manasquan produced an historic win for the record books.
It would have been impossible to top the drama of Manasquan’s Griffin Linstra’s game-winner in the final seconds to beat Camden in Wednesday’s NJSIAA Group 2 semifinal, some 12 months after Linstra’s apparent winning score in the final second against Camden was incorrectly called off by game officials.
The next challenge was avoiding a letdown at Jersey Mike’s Arena Sunday. And Manasquan was determined to continue the program’s historic rise, defeating Madison, 67-56, to win its second Group 2 title in three seasons, the first two in school history.
“There was only one ending to that story and it was apropos,” Manasquan head coach Andrew Bilodeau said.
The reality is that it likely would be three straight state championships for the Big Blue were it not for the egregious error a year ago, with Camden going on to win the state title easily in the final. And that would have made Manasquan the first area team to win three straight state titles in more than 50 years, since CBA did it between 1971-73.
Still, Manasquan (25-4) closes the season having lost three times to Shore Conference foe St. Rose, which lost in the Non-Public B final to Roselle Catholic Friday, for its only losses to local opposition. The Warriors have also won six straight Central Jersey sectional titles.
Once again it was Linstra leading the way with a double-double, with 21 points and 14 rebounds, while Brandon Kunz finished with 15 points and some solid defensive work, before fouling out.
“Really, really happy for us,” Linstra said. “I feel like these seniors are great kids, 10 seniors and we get to send them off with a win in their final game.
“I feel like that as a member of the Class of 2025, I wanted to raise the standard of Manasquan basketball. I think the new standard should be you never lose your last game as a senior. I think we did that today, we played a great game of Manasquan basketball and it was really fun.”
It capped an incredible afternoon for Manasquan High School, with the girls team winning a Group 2 championship, its second straight and third in four seasons, in the first game of the afternoon.
“”The Irish Riviera – it will be bumping there tonight as they say," Bilodeau said. "It’s a great situation and to see how many fans we get on a Tuesday night let alone when the big games come along.
"(The two teams) are real close. They have pasta parties and all that stuff together. It’s great that whole situation. It’s a big deal to them. They’re very close friends a lot of them and they hang out together. It's super."
Not only did Linstra turn in an incredible performance against Camden, he was the key to Sunday's victory, as he has been so many times over the past two seasons, while playing all four seasons at Manasquan. He just missed a triple-double, finishing with seven assists.
“He came in as a defensive stopper, then (Ryan) Frauenheim gets hurt a year ago and Griff becomes our leading scorer. And this year we moved him to the point and he’s just done it all. Swiss Army knife.”
During one stretch late in the third quarter and early in the fourth quarter, Linstra scored eight straight points, allowing Manasquan to maintain a comfortable lead.
"God had a purpose for that to happen and maybe it was this in the future, but it’s an awesome feeling right now and I’m really enjoying it," Linstra said. "I was fortunate to be around this program for four years."
It was a totally different feeling a year ago, when the Manasquan boys team was in the stands at Jersey Mike's Arena, first cheering Camden as it won a state title, before supporting the Manasquan girls team as it secured a state championship.
“You’ve got to take a positive, right?," Bilodeau said. "What’s the alternative? Whine and complain the rest of your life? You’ve got to find the rainbow there somewhere."
It looked like it was going to be a similar outcome to the Group 2 final in 2023, when Manasquan stopped Caldwell 62-29. But Madison (25-6) was able to stay close throughout the second half. Manasquan was able to get off to a lead and keep Madison at arm’s length much of the game, holding off several Madison comeback attempts with some clutch shooting.
After building a 15-6 lead after the first quarter, capped by a beautiful assist from Linstra on a fast break, hitting Matteo Chiarella for a layup to close out the quarter. A 3-pointer by Kunz and with five minutes left in the first half put Manasquan up 23-12, stretching it to 30-14 on a score off an offensive rebound by sophomore forward Logan Cleveland.
Madison was able to cut it 30-18 at halftime, but Linstra and Kunz took charge in the third quarter. Linstra’s score on a short jumper gave Manasquan a 20-point lead at 43-23, before a Kunz triple made it 46-25. Linstra scored the final two baskets of the quarter to send Manasquan into the fourth quarter up 50-31.
"Brandon Kunz had a career night, he was was putting it in, five-of-six, but just a great all around effort," Bilodeau said.
“My confidence has grown since the beginning of the season,” Kunz said., “My teammates finding me and getting me open, everything worked out."
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