MANCHESTER – Manchester Day triumphantly returned to Harry Wright Lake recently with picture perfect weather.
The event was well attended and the occasion also rekindled a little bit of history and nostalgia for Councilman Sam Fusaro, the senior member of the council who recalled the very first Manchester Day. “It was first held in 1993 and back then the Mayor and Council wanted to bring the whole town together at one place at one time at a wonderful venue.”
It also brought back some memories for Township Clerk Sabina Martin. “I served on the first (planning) committee (for Manchester Day) so it is very close to my heart as well. There are a lot of memories throughout the years of Manchester Day.
“It is a wonderful time and a wonderful day to bring everyone together,” she added.
The recently held event drew many visitors to the lake after a two-year absence due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A variety of food and craft vendors were present. The day also included free swimming in the lake, free children’s rides and activities, a live band and concluded with some spectacular fireworks.
The event was coordinated by the Township Recreation Department overseen by director Tracey Lynch.
For Township resident Christina Serrano, her husband Nelson and daughter Jada, Manchester Day meant an opportunity to showcase their online catering, private parties and personal order business Cara Linda’s Empanadas.
She went into business during the pandemic. “I was out of work for two months and decided to play with some recipes and decided to start a business and I have members of my family helping. My husband and daughter are here with me today and its going great.”
Ocean County Sheriff’s Department SWAT team member Patrolman Pat Cerenak joined fellow officers in showing off the team’s armored vehicle and some of the tools used during incident responses. Among those who toured the vehicle and looked over their arsenal was Ortley Beach resident Joseph Tedde who joined a friend for the event. He was surprised to learn that the display item he was holding was a weapon for SWAT operations.
“That’s pretty heavy,” he remarked.
Among the scouting groups, Manchester Democrat and Republican clubs, various churches, crafters and food vendors were organizations which had a mission.
Such a group was the National Organization of Woman, Ocean County chapter, which was calling for action after Roe Vs. Wade was struck down, and abortion legalization was turned over to the states.
“I graduated high school in 1964 and college in 1968. Roe Vs. Wade became the law of the land in 1973. I grew up at a time when accessing even birth control was difficult much less safe and legal abortions,” said Lynda Fote, the group’s president.
She said she wasn’t totally surprised by the court action. “It has been coming since 2016 when women’s rights started to coming before the chopping block but as much as we knew this was coming, it was just heartbreaking.”
Tara Kownacki of Lacey said she has three daughters. “My oldest is 18 and with the makeup of the Supreme Court and their ages it is going to affect their generation.”
“It is time for Congress to do its job. Congress could fix this. They could pass the Women’s Health Protection Act which was passed by the House of Representatives but it isn’t going anywhere in the Senate. In this next election, if we can turn over the senate, we can fix this,” Fote said. “Roe Vs. Wade could become the law of the land again with the passage of the Women’s Health Protection Act so we are getting signatures on this petition that demands that our local officials protect the reproductive rights of all women.”
She added that it’s about more than safe abortion, but also affordable birth control and pre- and postnatal care.
Mayor Robert Hudak, Councilman Fusaro, Council Vice President Michele Zolezi and Council President Joan Brush met up to do a social media video reminder to residents about the event early in the day.
The post Manchester Day Returns After Two Year Absence appeared first on Jersey Shore Online.
