LAKEHURST – The Borough’s first Fall Festival had picture perfect autumn weather, pumpkin painting, music, a beer garden, lemonade, various food offerings and a chance for community organizations to showcase their services and solicit for new members.
A good sized crowd came out to Horicon Lake recently to enjoy the fun that included support from the borough’s first aid squad, police department and elected officials. Sadly, absent was the community’s 113-year-old fire department which disbanded in the spring due to a lack of active membership.
That is something that the Lakehurst First Aid Squad is also addressing and members were present to meet and greet residents. Along with hosting pumpkin painting, they wanted to make sure the public was aware of their mission to help the community and that they also need volunteer support to keep operating.
“We have our volunteers here. We are trying to get more membership. Getting volunteers is tough. Everyone has multiple jobs and less people have time to volunteer but if anyone wants to join, we need people,” Squad Captain Tim Sinkewitz. “We have eight members out here today out of about 10 members.”
Volunteers man the building and operate two ambulances, backed up by regional mutual aid and career personnel when necessary. Anyone wishing to volunteer can contact the Municipal Clerk’s Office at 732-657-4141.
“We could definitely use some help,” Sinkewitz added. “There is a lot of training involved and we understand that for some that can be difficult but we are trying to find volunteers.”
Council President Jeffrey Emmons, Councilmen Brian DiMeo and Robert McCarthy and Councilwoman Bernadette Dugan were enjoying the day and glad to see so many residents come out for it. Also, present was Police Chief Matthew Kline who joined other members of the department at their table.
Youth and Recreation member Michele DiMeo said “this was set up by Jeff (Emmons). This was his brainchild as he wanted to do something for the community and bring everyone together. The Fire Department used to have their event (Food Truck and Firepit) at Horicon Lake. We just wanted to bring the community together. We didn’t have fireworks on the Fourth of July weekend (due to the weather) so this was a perfect time to bring the fireworks in and have a fun event for everybody.”
Members of the borough’s Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10061, a non-profit veterans-helping-veterans organization based at 20 Union Avenue were busy running the beer truck fundraiser held under the pavilion at the lake.
“The weather held out so nice,” VFW bartender and borough resident Tina Sloan said. She has been the bartender at the Post for 29 years and was assisting with two other bartenders. “We are a local organization that has been here for a very long time. We are located right on Union Avenue. We have a great organization and we are always looking for new members and new help.”
“We support the veterans. We are always looking for helpers. Even those who don’t have the ability can join. We have a Facebook page Lakehurst VFW please look it up it will tell you about all our upcoming events,” she added.
“We sponsor the Veterans Day program here at the lake on November 11 at 11 a.m. After that everybody comes back to our post and we serve them lunch. Anything to help out the community. We are big supporters of Lakehurst events, donations to help or manpower if we can do it,” Sloan said.
The Post will also be hosting an event for veterans from the Menlo Park Veterans Memorial Home providing lunch and playing bingo with them.
Sloan said she was “born and raised here and it is great to see everyone come out for something like this. It is a great activity for everybody and we couldn’t have asked for better weather.”
