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 Sea Girt Lighthouse 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 Sea Girt, 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.
“I just started using always best care for my dad The certified aids that came from”
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“It is a pleasure to work for someone that genuinely respects caregivers for the job”
“I am a current client of this provider I can’t begin to tell to you how”
“I cannot thank Always Best Care enough for helping us find an ideal Assisted Living”
“I am a current client of this provider Your manager is always nice and flexible, and”
“I am a current client of this provider We are very happy with Always Best Care.”
“I am a current client of this provider We have hired Always Best Care. We have”
“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 Edgemere 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 Fratello's Italian Restaurant & Lounge or visit Historic Sea Girt Station, 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 Sea Girt, 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 Sea Girt, 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 Sea Girt, 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.
You've heard of the bar where everyone knows your name, but what about the place where everyone falls in love?Well, according to People magazine, that could just be The Parker House in Sea Girt."What’s the most romantic place in America? It might just be a New Jersey beachside restaurant and bar," the article begins. "Take ...
You've heard of the bar where everyone knows your name, but what about the place where everyone falls in love?
Well, according to People magazine, that could just be The Parker House in Sea Girt.
"What’s the most romantic place in America? It might just be a New Jersey beachside restaurant and bar," the article begins. "Take a stroll down Beacon [Boulevard] ... and you’ll come across a Victorian-style beach house [at the corner of Beacon and First Avenue] that's always bustling [during the season], complete with a long line of eager visitors.
"Ask anyone in town about The Parker House, and they’ll stop you in your tracks, likely calling it legendary. This restaurant by day, bar by night, has been serving up great food and music since 1878 — and sparking hundreds of love stories along the way."
The article then highlights some of the couples who met at Parker House, which is currently closed (there's a countdown to opening day on the website — now at 84 days).
But you don't have to read the article to learn about the love stories; just visit parkerhousenj.com/parker-house-love-stories.
"The Parker House has been the source of memorable experiences for thousands, and for some, it has been the beginning of a beautiful relationship," the site says. "For young and old alike, the magic is always here and every story is unique. Share your story and be a part of our story."
The first couple on the site is Kerri and Alex L., who were married in 2021.
“My husband and I met at Parker House in June of 2016," the story states. "He asked me if I wanted to dance … and the rest is history. We will always remember “God’s Basement” with fond memories. We can still point out the exact spot on the basement dance floor where we first met."
Melissa and Brendan D. tied the knot in 2016.
“Brendan and I 'officially' met at the Parker House in July of 2013," their story begins on the site. "He was down at his family’s house in Sea Girt for the weekend, and I was meeting up with some friends on the back porch. We were introduced by mutual friends and spent the afternoon on the porch and that evening down in the basement singing, dancing and having a blast.
"At the end of the night, after agreeing that dating in your 30s is not as fun as it sounds like it should be, I asked HIM on a date! Three years later he proposed on Beacon Boulevard beach, where we had spent many summer days — and went right to the Parker House to celebrate. We were married eight days later ... "
The Parker House story is itself romantic. It was one of the first buildings erected in Sea Girt, even before Sea Girt was officially a town.
It's run by three families "who see themselves more as curators rather than owners of an 1878 building," the site states, " and who are deeply committed to preserving this important piece of Sea Girt history for future generations."
Go: The Parker House, 290 1st Ave., Sea Girt, currently closed; 732-449-0442, parkerhousenj.com.
GARDEN STATE CLASSICAL ACADEMY HOSTS FREE STORY HOUR IN SEA GIRTAPRIL & MAYThursday, April 3,10,17,& 24thThursday, May 1,8,15, 22 & 29th10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.RSVP: www.gsclassical.org/news-events Garden State Classical Academy, located in Sea Girt, New Jersey, invites families to attend a FREE Story Hour on Thursday, April 3, 10, 17,...
GARDEN STATE CLASSICAL ACADEMY HOSTS FREE STORY HOUR IN SEA GIRT
APRIL & MAY
Thursday, April 3,10,17,& 24th
Thursday, May 1,8,15, 22 & 29th
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
RSVP: www.gsclassical.org/news-events Garden State Classical Academy, located in Sea Girt, New Jersey, invites families to attend a FREE Story Hour on Thursday, April 3, 10, 17, and 24th and Thursday, May 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29th. The events will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at 219 Philadelphia Blvd. in Sea Girt. To pre-register for the Children's Story Hour, RSVP: www.gsclassical.org/news-events
Garden State Classical Academy will open this Fall as a PK-grade 4 tuition-based private Christian school, adding one grade each year until it serves PK-12. The Academy will offer a classical education through an affiliation with the Hillsdale College K-12 Education Office. The school's mission is to cultivate academic and moral integrity in each student through a content-rich classical curriculum, paired with intentional character development within a lifelong learning environment grounded in a Biblical worldview.
Our curriculum covers phonics, grammar, math, science, history, literature, and philosophy. Garden State Classical Academy will also emphasize physical education, music, and art daily and begin teaching Latin courses in the fourth grade. The Academy emphasizes core virtues that serve as its educational approach's foundation. By focusing on these moral and civic virtues, Garden State Classical Academy aims to prepare students to face challenges beyond the classroom.
“There is a growing movement favoring a strategic, limited use of technology alongside traditional teacher-led classrooms, a focus on objective Truth, and a respect for parental authority in educational and health-related decisions." Anne Poppen, the Head of School at the Academy, stated, "We believe that a classical curriculum is the best way to restore the purpose of education. We look forward to introducing this program to new families who share our commitment to revitalizing American education, upholding traditional family values, and fostering a Biblical foundation in the Christian faith."
The Academy's location and program allow local families to choose a high-quality classical education for their children, aiming to guide students in doing the Good, knowing the Truth, and loving the Beautiful.
Enrollment for the 2025-26 school year is now open. The process begins with an introductory phone call and the completion of an admissions application, which can be found at GSClassical.org/admissions.
About Garden State Classical Academy:
Garden State Classical Academy is a private, Christian Classical American school in Sea Girt, New Jersey. It combines a content-rich curriculum with the belief that classical and civic virtues are essential for forming responsible American citizens. Grounded in the objective Truth of the Christian faith, the Academy aims to serve over 85 students from Pre-K to grade 4 and will add one grade each year until it serves grades Pre-K to 12. For more information, visit GSClassical.org or call 732.330.2557
What’s the most romantic place in America? It might just be a New Jersey beachside restaurant and bar.Take a stroll down Beacon Avenue in Sea Girt and you’ll come across a Victorian-style beach house that's always bustling, complete with a long line of eager visitors. Ask anyone in town about The Parker House, and they’ll stop you i...
What’s the most romantic place in America? It might just be a New Jersey beachside restaurant and bar.
Take a stroll down Beacon Avenue in Sea Girt and you’ll come across a Victorian-style beach house that's always bustling, complete with a long line of eager visitors. Ask anyone in town about The Parker House, and they’ll stop you in your tracks, likely calling it legendary. This restaurant by day, bar by night, has been serving up great food and music since 1878 — and sparking hundreds of love stories along the way, like that of Larry and Valerie Doyle.
In the summer of 1985, Larry and Valerie exchanged glances across The Parker House bar, but then Larry worked up the courage to walk over and strike up a conversation. However, it didn’t take long for the sea of people at the bar to separate the pair, almost ending their story right then and there.
“That was that, possibly never to be seen again,” Valerie, 62, tells PEOPLE about the abrupt ending to their initial interaction.
Both spent the following days wondering what could have been. “I was thinking about her a lot, like, ‘How could I have not gotten her last name and phone number?,’ ” Larry, 64, remembers. Valerie adds, “I went on a date with a lifeguard and remember wishing it was Larry.”
Then, as fate — or perhaps The Parker House — would have it, two weeks later, the pair locked eyes across the bar once again. This time, neither was willing to let the opportunity slip away.
“I made a beeline and said, ‘We’re going out,’ ” Larry recalls.
Forty years of marriage, four kids and one grandchild — with another on the way — later, the pair has never questioned falling in love at The Parker House, and even celebrated Valerie’s 60th birthday there in 2022. “We’re soulmates,” Larry says. “I knew right then and there she was the one for me.”
While countless love stories have unfolded within the walls of the New Jersey hotspot, its magic doesn't just work on the inside. One summer afternoon in 2021, Kurt and Ashley Naslonski both found themselves standing in the hour-long line to enter the bar.
“I saw an old friend in line, and he introduced me to [his friends], including Kurt,” Ashley, 29, recalls. After passing each other “at least 10 times” in the snaking line, the pair grabbed a drink inside, spending the rest of the night dancing together to the Jersey Shore-famous Pat Roddy Band, which went on to perform at their wedding welcome party at The Parker House in October.
“We’ve had so many good memories there,” Kurt, 31, tells PEOPLE, as Ashley adds, “We just love doing life together.”
5 Real-Life Love Stories That Will Warm Your Heart This Valentine's Day
Of course, some Parker House love stories are still being written.
On her 21st birthday in 2018, Carley Gatta stepped into the bar's basement looking to celebrate. What she found instead was Matthew Golden, a fellow gluten-free bargoer with drink recommendations, like the bar’s quintessential drink, the “Spring Laker.”
“We hit it off right away,” Matthew, 28, says.
Six years later, to the day, the pair got engaged, and are looking forward to their July wedding as well as the “whole next chapter of life.”
“There’s so much history,” Gatta, 27, says about The Parker House, where they also took their engagement photos. “It just attracts so many people.”
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When it comes to the bar's influence, well, let's just say it doesn't stop at just bringing couples together.
Pamela and Matt Cleaves grew up as friends and slowly fell in love, spending much of their time together biking to The Parker House for lunch and participating in the establishment’s annual “fun runs.”
After getting married there in 2019 — “It was something special,” Matt, 39, tells PEOPLE about what the venue means to them — they had a son in 2021, and it is no surprise what they named him. “When we found out it was a boy, we were like, ‘Yeah, he’ll be named Parker,’” Pamela, 36, says.
Matt adds, “He’ll have the best opening line for whoever he wants to talk to.”
If their kids — the couple had a daughter earlier this year — went on to fall in love at The Parker House, Pamela says they’d be “so happy.”
She adds, "I’d make them have their wedding there, too."
What’s the most romantic place in America? It might just be a New Jersey beachside restaurant and bar.Take a stroll down Beacon Avenue in Sea Girt and you’ll come across a Victorian-style beach house that's always bustling, complete with a long line of eager visitors. Ask anyone in town about The Parker House, and they’ll stop you i...
What’s the most romantic place in America? It might just be a New Jersey beachside restaurant and bar.
Take a stroll down Beacon Avenue in Sea Girt and you’ll come across a Victorian-style beach house that's always bustling, complete with a long line of eager visitors. Ask anyone in town about The Parker House, and they’ll stop you in your tracks, likely calling it legendary. This restaurant by day, bar by night, has been serving up great food and music since 1878 — and sparking hundreds of love stories along the way, like that of Larry and Valerie Doyle.
In the summer of 1985, Larry and Valerie exchanged glances across The Parker House bar, but then Larry worked up the courage to walk over and strike up a conversation. However, it didn’t take long for the sea of people at the bar to separate the pair, almost ending their story right then and there.
“That was that, possibly never to be seen again,” Valerie, 62, tells PEOPLE about the abrupt ending to their initial interaction.
Both spent the following days wondering what could have been. “I was thinking about her a lot, like, ‘How could I have not gotten her last name and phone number?,’ ” Larry, 64, remembers. Valerie adds, “I went on a date with a lifeguard and remember wishing it was Larry.”
Then, as fate — or perhaps The Parker House — would have it, two weeks later, the pair locked eyes across the bar once again. This time, neither was willing to let the opportunity slip away.
“I made a beeline and said, ‘We’re going out,’ ” Larry recalls.
Forty years of marriage, four kids and one grandchild — with another on the way — later, the pair has never questioned falling in love at The Parker House, and even celebrated Valerie’s 60th birthday there in 2022. “We’re soulmates,” Larry says. “I knew right then and there she was the one for me.”
While countless love stories have unfolded within the walls of the New Jersey hotspot, its magic doesn't just work on the inside. One summer afternoon in 2021, Kurt and Ashley Naslonski both found themselves standing in the hour-long line to enter the bar.
“I saw an old friend in line, and he introduced me to [his friends], including Kurt,” Ashley, 29, recalls. After passing each other “at least 10 times” in the snaking line, the pair grabbed a drink inside, spending the rest of the night dancing together to the Jersey Shore-famous Pat Roddy Band, which went on to perform at their wedding welcome party at The Parker House in October.
“We’ve had so many good memories there,” Kurt, 31, tells PEOPLE, as Ashley adds, “We just love doing life together.”
5 Real-Life Love Stories That Will Warm Your Heart This Valentine's Day
Of course, some Parker House love stories are still being written.
On her 21st birthday in 2018, Carley Gatta stepped into the bar's basement looking to celebrate. What she found instead was Matthew Golden, a fellow gluten-free bargoer with drink recommendations, like the bar’s quintessential drink, the “Spring Laker.”
“We hit it off right away,” Matthew, 28, says.
Six years later, to the day, the pair got engaged, and are looking forward to their July wedding as well as the “whole next chapter of life.”
“There’s so much history,” Gatta, 27, says about The Parker House, where they also took their engagement photos. “It just attracts so many people.”
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When it comes to the bar's influence, well, let's just say it doesn't stop at just bringing couples together.
Pamela and Matt Cleaves grew up as friends and slowly fell in love, spending much of their time together biking to The Parker House for lunch and participating in the establishment’s annual “fun runs.”
After getting married there in 2019 — “It was something special,” Matt, 39, tells PEOPLE about what the venue means to them — they had a son in 2021, and it is no surprise what they named him. “When we found out it was a boy, we were like, ‘Yeah, he’ll be named Parker,’” Pamela, 36, says.
Matt adds, “He’ll have the best opening line for whoever he wants to talk to.”
If their kids — the couple had a daughter earlier this year — went on to fall in love at The Parker House, Pamela says they’d be “so happy.”
She adds, "I’d make them have their wedding there, too."
More warm air temps are in the forecast this week to compliment what has been some of the best fishing of the fall to date for striped bass, giant tuna and sea bass.Last week, the tuna hunters came back to the dock with several giant tuna wrapped in cold ice blankets from inshore fishing grounds. Capt. John Decker, of Kraken Sportfishing, which docks behind Spike's Fish Market in Point Pleasant Beach, came in with another giant, this one topping 775 pounds.Decker said they had observed the tuna breaking just a few miles east of...
More warm air temps are in the forecast this week to compliment what has been some of the best fishing of the fall to date for striped bass, giant tuna and sea bass.
Last week, the tuna hunters came back to the dock with several giant tuna wrapped in cold ice blankets from inshore fishing grounds. Capt. John Decker, of Kraken Sportfishing, which docks behind Spike's Fish Market in Point Pleasant Beach, came in with another giant, this one topping 775 pounds.
Decker said they had observed the tuna breaking just a few miles east of the Sea Girt Reef. They followed the fish out there, and just after daybreak set up a couple of Penn International reels on 130-class rods with Joe Shutes Ballyhoo Skirt spreaders. He didn't have to troll when they had a taker at about 7:30 a.m.
Crew members Ed Markiewicz and Mike Murray took turns cranking the reel and they had the fish boatside within an hour where Decker harpooned it. They finished landing it with a couple of gaffs and ropes.
The Queen Mary party fishing boat was already reporting a good striped bite by mid-morning Monday. The boat was in the neighborhood of Asbury Park. The day before the fishing was explosive in the same general area. Capt. Alan Shinn said both the Miss Belmar and Miss Belmar Princess were in on the stripers on Sunday. He said they did land a lot of big stripers that had to be released but there were also smaller, keeper size fish running with them which they caught and could keep.
The bass continue hitting the beaches but there hasn't been many bluefish to speak of in the surf lately. Quite a few of the bass caught within the last couple of days were taken on artificials, such as paddle tails, Mag Darters and AVA lures. Grumpy's Tackle in Seaside Park reported a striped bass early Monday morning on an AVA jig. There were no stripers entered into the Long Beach Island Fall Surf Fishing Classic, so George Konowal Jr still leads the contest with an 11.66-pound bass.
The yields from the bottom fishing boats remains a good value. Capt. William Egerter on the Dauntless party boat said his high hooks are catching about 40 fish of a mix variety. On any given day he's observing catches of porgies, sea bas, blackfish and winter flounder.
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 @danielradelapp; 732-643-4072; [email protected].
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