Renovations spruce up Plumsted softball field

PLUMSTED - The girls softball field at the township's Recreation Park is being improved to tournament play standards at no taxpayer expense as the result of a corporate sponsored "Athletic Field Maintenance Day" on Aug. 23, according to Mayor Ron Dancer.

Local resident and recreation committee member Marc Russo organized the Lesco/John Deere Landscapes Athletic Field Maintenance Day as a hands-on demonstration for constructing, renovating and maintaining athletic fields with the girls softball field being the model recipient of improvements.

The Lesco/John Deere Landscapes Athletic Field Maintenance Day provided opportunities for business vendors from around the state to participate in lectures and demonstrations to earn New Jersey Continuing Education Certification credits, Dancer said.

With the girls softball field being the model for demonstrations, professionals provided for a full day's working agenda that included Bill Buttler, head groundskeeper for the Trenton Thunder; Brad Parks, from Rutgers University, speaking on weed control; and James Gavigan, certified sports turf manager, providing expertise on grass seed selection for sports fields, according to the mayor.

The girls softball field now has a new outfield warning track and an all-weather infield mix surface through the generosity of Steve Ohnsman, representative for The Pro's Choice Products. Mike Reed, of Lesco/John Deere Landscapes, provided calibration training for granular and liquid field applications. Rich Hawks, of Sustane Natural Fertilizer of America, instructed on using organics for turf renovation.

Dancer said the value of products and services for the improvements to the girls softball field during the Lesco/John Deere Landscapes Athletic Field Maintenance Day was in excess of $20,000. Many local residents and business people donated time and resources to assist in the project, including: Mike Manger (Kodiak Construction); Rick Rodriguez (R&D Electric); Bob Martin Construction; the Jerman Family; Kirk DeVitis (Scenic Source); and members of the Plumsted Recreation Committee.

Dancer said the Township Committee has enlisted the volunteer efforts of local resident Leigh-Ann Vinciguerra, who is also a volunteer member of the first aid squad, to assist in organizing Plumsted's newest initiative, the Senior Outreach Search (SOS) to bring federal, state and Ocean County representatives into Plumsted on a monthly basis to heighten awareness of the availability of more than 100 senior services.

Initially, the Ocean County Office of Senior Services; Ocean County Board of Social Services; and Community Services will provide representatives, referral information and services to assist Plumsted seniors. Notices about SOS will be placed in doctors offices, offices and pharmacies.

Two site locations for the SOS program will be offered. On Sept. 12 from 10 a.m. to noon, at the 31 Main St. Welcome Center, representatives from Ocean County Community Services will be present to provide information on many services available to seniors, including Meals On Wheels, medical transportation services and much more. The second site will be at the Jensen's retirement community clubhouse with the date to be announced. Anyone who is interested in volunteering for Plumsted's SOS program and assisting Vinciguerra may call the Township Clerk's office.