Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How Asbury Park honored a police captain’s 26-year career

Coming up on the Asbury Park Patch calendar: 2025 What A Wonderful Year Music Festival - Sunday

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Hi there, Asbury Park! We've got your morning read ready! Read on to stay connected. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How Asbury Park honored a police captain’s 26-year career
  • Why Asbury Park’s top LGBTQ+ group is under independent review now
  • Why Asbury Park’s theater season topped New Jersey arts headlines this week

Also on today's calendar: New Years Eve 2026- A New World 4 a New Year.

Find out what's happening in Asbury Parkfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: What did the windowsill say to the glass? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Asbury Parkfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Monday: Windy and cooler, with a high of 41 and low of 33 degrees.
  • Tuesday: A bit of rain and snow, temps: high: 39, low: 36.
  • Wednesday: Mostly sunny and windy, with a high of 45 and low of 32 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Asbury Park Police Honor Captain Daniel Kowsaluk at Retirement Ceremony (tapinto.net) — Asbury Park residents and officers recently gathered to celebrate the retirement of Police Captain Daniel Kowsaluk, closing out more than 26 years of service to the city. The emotional ceremony featured his final radio call, a ceremonial walk-out, and tributes to his role in mentoring younger officers and shaping future police leadership in town.
   

2. Garden State Equality Announces Independent External Review Amid Leadership Change (tapinto.net) — An Asbury Park–based LGBTQ+ advocacy group, Garden State Equality, has launched an independent external review and named an acting executive director after its longtime leader resigned following criminal charges. The board says outside investigators will examine operations and report back with recommendations aimed at rebuilding trust among members, donors, and community partners.
   

3. Top 15 Most Read Stories At New Jersey Stage from December 14-20, 2025 (newjerseystage.com) — Asbury Park readers helped make news about the Asbury Park Theater Company’s newly announced 2026 season the most-read story on New Jersey Stage this week. The roundup also spotlights other popular arts and music coverage from around New Jersey, underscoring how strongly local cultural news resonates with Monmouth County audiences.
   

4. Asbury Park's iconic Ferris wheel spins back to life — just not in New Jersey (palivingnews.com) — Longtime residents will remember the towering Ferris wheel that once greeted families arriving in Asbury Park, a beloved symbol of summers on the boardwalk from 1895 to 1988. That same wheel is being rebuilt as a $2 million illuminated sculpture in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, using original steel components and detailed historical signage. Locals are encouraged to make the 90‑mile trip to revisit a key piece of Asbury Park history when it’s unveiled in spring 2026.
   

5. Greetings from Riverside, California: From the APP archives (app.com) — A turn-of-the-20th-century Asbury Park family’s letter from Riverside, California offers a vivid snapshot of their cross-country journey and new life among orange groves. The archival piece contrasts Riverside’s climate and scenery with familiar Asbury Park seasons and imagines the Jersey Shore city decorated for Christmas while they bask in sunshine out West.
   

📸 Around Asbury Park

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Fulfill Expands Fresh Food Access with Donation of Refrigerated Vans to Local Pantries —NJNews4You Read on Patch
  • A second alarm fire with two life safety officers is reported at 128 Therese Ave in Keyport, Monmouth.
    10:37AM on Dec 20: Box alarm transmitted for heavy smoke from a two-story dwelling at 128 Therese Ave in Monmouth-Keyport. (Nextdoor )
  • New Jersey Staffing posted a job opening for Customer Service - Self Storage Manager in Asbury Park. Apply here.
  • Dribbler LLC posted a job opening for Private Soccer Coach in Asbury Park. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Asbury Park here.

Ok Asbury Park! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I feel your pane.
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