Toms River is featured in various TV and news media, including MTV's Made and Jersey Shore (seasons 1, 3, and 5), HBO's Boardwalk Empire, and the original The Amityville Horror movie. In 1998, Toms River East Little League won the Little League World Series. The township has what is said to be the second-largest Halloween parade in the world.[26]
In 2006, Toms River was ranked by Morgan Quitno Press as the 15th safest city in the United States, of 369 cities nationwide.[27] In 2007, Toms River was again ranked as the 14th-safest city in the United States of 371 cities nationwide.[28]
Founding and early history
Much of the early history of the settlement of Toms River is obscured by conflicting stories. Various sources list the eponym of the township as either English captain William Tom,[29][30] or farmer and ferryman Thomas Luker. In 1992, as part of celebrations commemorating the township's 225th anniversary, official recognition was granted to the tradition that the "Tom" in "Toms River" was for Thomas Luker, who ran a ferry across Goose Creek (now the Toms River).[31] During the 19th century, Toms River became a center for shipbuilding, whaling, fishing, and iron and lumber production. The settlement and the river were usually spelled "Tom's River" in its early days, though its current spelling has been standard since the middle of the 19th century.
Located in the southern section of the Shrewsbury Township, a royal charter was granted on March 1, 1768, and Dover Township was formed.[32] During the American Revolutionary War, Toms River was home to a strategically important salt works that supplied colonial militias, as well as a base for privateer vessels that plundered British and Tory ships off the coast. In March 1782, a group of British and loyalist soldiers attacked a blockhouse along the river that housed the colonial militia and captured Captain Joshua Huddy, who was later hanged at Sandy Hook. Also destroyed were the salt works and most of the houses in the village.[33] The incident greatly complicated the tense relationship between the British, loyalists, and colonists, and was a factor in prolonging the peace negotiations that were then in progress in Paris until 1783.[31]
Dover Township was incorporated as one of New Jersey's first 104 townships by the Township Act of 1798 of the New Jersey Legislature on February 21, 1798. The township's original name was for Dover, England.[34]
The village of Toms River is listed on both the national[35] and state registers of historic places.[36]
Mid-19th and early 20th centuries
Map of Toms River in 1878
In 1850, Toms River became the county seat of the newly created Ocean County when it was formed out of southern Monmouth County. During the second half of the 19th century and the early decades of the 20th, many new towns were carved out of Dover Township, including Brick, Jackson, Lakewood, and Berkeley. The Village of Toms River attempted twice—in 1914 and 1926—to secede from Dover Township, but residents were unsuccessful. The part of Toms River on the south side of the river stretching down to Berkeley Township incorporated as South Toms River in 1927, but the core of the original village on the north side remains part of the wider township to this day.[37]
In the last two decades of the twentieth century, the demographics of the township changed substantially, adding over 20,000 residents just in the 1990s alone. While the village is still the center of municipal and county government, the population in the area exploded in the decades after World War II, due in part to the completion of the Garden State Parkway. Whereas the village was the largest and most densely populated section of the township for over two centuries, the vast majority of residents now shop and work in other sections of the town.
In the mid-1990s, state and federal health and environmental agencies identified an increased incidence of childhood cancers in Toms River from the 1970–1995 period. Multiple investigations by state and federal environmental and health agencies indicated that the likely source of the increased cancer risk was contamination from Toms River Chemical Plant (then operated by Ciba-Geigy), which had been in operation since 1952. The area was designated a United States Environmental Protection AgencySuperfund site in 1983, after an underground plume of toxic chemicals was identified. The following year, a discharge pipe was shut down after a sinkhole at the corner of Bay Avenue and Vaughn Avenue revealed that it had been leaking. The plant ceased operation in 1996.[39][40][41]
A follow-up study from the 1996–2000 period indicated that while there were more cancer cases than expected, rates had significantly fallen and the difference was statistically insignificant compared to normal statewide cancer rates.[42]
Since 1996, the Toms River water system has been subject to the most stringent water testing in the state and is considered safe for consumption.[43]Dan Fagin's Toms River: A Story of Science and Salvation, the 2014 Pulitzer Prize winning book, examined the issue of industrial pollution in detail.[44]
Toms River Township
"Toms River" at one time referred only to the rural farming community of Toms River, a small part of the vast Township of Dover that included several other distinct settlements. With the United States Postal Service's adoption of Toms River mailing addresses for Dover Township, coupled with demographic changes in the other sections, those inside and outside began referring to all of mainland Dover Township as Toms River.[37][45] In the 1990 census, the census-designated place called "Toms River" only included the downtown village area that included fewer than 8,000 residents in 1990. Due to complaints of confusion, the CDP was broadened to include all of mainland Dover Township to better reflect the more common usage for the area.[31]
Over the years, confusion over the name of the township had become an issue for many residents. A movement organized around the Dover Township Name Change Committee,[46] founded by Mayor Paul Brush and supported by the Ocean County Chamber of Commerce, collected signatures to put a name change question on the ballot in November 2006. On Election Day, November 7, 2006, over 60% of residents voted to approve changing the name from the Township of Dover to the Township of Toms River.[47] The name change campaign featured the slogan "Toms River YES", signifying a yes vote for the name change, and the name was officially changed on November 14, 2006.[48]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 52.89 square miles (136.98km2), including 40.55 square miles (105.03km2) of land and 12.34 square miles (31.95km2) of water (23.32%).[2][3] Toms River is 70 miles (110km) south of Manhattan and 55 miles (89km) east of Philadelphia.
While most of Toms River is on the mainland, Dover Beaches North and South are situated on the Barnegat Peninsula, a long, narrow barrier peninsula that separates Barnegat Bay from the Atlantic Ocean. Dover Beaches South adjoins the independent municipalities of Lavallette to the north and Seaside Heights to the south.[49]
Dover Beaches North (2010 Census population of 1,239[50]), Dover Beaches South (1,209[51]) and Toms River CDP (88,791[52]) are census-designated places and unincorporated communities located within Toms River Township.[53][54][55] Other unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Andrew Point, Andrews, Bay Shore, Cattus Island, Cedar Grove, Chadwick, Coates Point, East Dover, Gilford Park, Gilmores Island, Green Island, Long Point, Normandy Beach, Ocean Beach, Ortley Beach, Pelican Island, Pine View, Pleasant Plains, Shelter Cove, Silverton, Tilton Point, West Dover, and White Oak Bottom.[56]
Toms River includes the ZIP Codes 08753, 08754, 08755, 08756, 08757, and 08739.[15] Ortley Beach (Dover Beaches South) shares ZIP Code 08751 with Seaside Heights. Manchester does not have its own post office, and parts of Manchester use a Toms River mailing address under ZIP Code 08757.
The township was severely affected by Superstorm Sandy in October 2012. Many low-lying areas of the township, including Silverton and the downtown area, saw their worst flooding ever when the storm surge overwhelmed the Barnegat Bay up and down the Jersey Shore. The barrier islands, just across the bridge, suffered even worse devastation from the storm surge brought by the hurricane.[62] Extremes range from a record high of 105°F on both July 19, 1999, and August 9, 1896, to a low of −24°F on January 16, 1988.[citation needed]
More information Climate data for Toms River, Month ...
This section needs expansionwith: examples with reliable citations. You can help by adding to it. (September 2021)
More information Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic), Pop 1990 ...
Toms River Township, New Jersey – Racial and ethnic composition Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
The 2010 United States census counted 91,239 people, 34,760 households, and 24,367 families in the township. The population density was 2,253.5 per square mile (870.1/km2). There were 43,334 housing units at an average density of 1,070.3 per square mile (413.2/km2). The racial makeup was 89.91% (82,035) White, 2.70% (2,465) Black or African American, 0.17% (156) Native American, 3.58% (3,266) Asian, 0.02% (17) Pacific Islander, 1.96% (1,785) from other races, and 1.66% (1,515) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.93% (7,231) of the population.[23]
Of the 34,760 households, 28.2% had children under the age of 18; 54.4% were married couples living together; 11.7% had a female householder with no husband present and 29.9% were non-families. Of all households, 25.1% were made up of individuals and 12.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.10.[23]
21.3% of the population were under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 23.8% from 25 to 44, 29.7% from 45 to 64, and 17.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43.0 years. For every 100 females, the population had 92.3 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 89.6 males.[23]
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $71,934 (with a margin of error of +/− $2,094) and the median family income was $83,924 (+/− $2,842). Males had a median income of $59,860 (+/− $2,733) versus $42,192 (+/− $2,081) for females. The per capita income for the township was $33,423 (+/− $926). About 4.5% of families and 5.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.4% of those under age 18 and 4.6% of those age 65 or over.[80]
2000 census
As of the 2000 United States census[17] there were 89,706 people, 33,510 households, and 24,428 families residing in the township. The population density was 2,189.5 inhabitants per square mile (845.4/km2). There were 41,116 housing units at an average density of 1,003.5 per square mile (387.5/km2). The racial makeup of the township was 93.57% White, 1.75% African American, 0.13% Native American, 2.46% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.95% from other races, and 1.12% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.54% of the population.[74][75]
There were 33,510 households, out of which 31.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.1% were married couples living together, 10.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.1% were non-families. 22.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.09.[74][75]
In the township the population was spread out, with 23.3% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 27.2% from 25 to 44, 25.1% from 45 to 64, and 17.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.1 males.[74][75]
The median income for a household in the township was $54,776, and the median income for a family was $62,561. Males had a median income of $47,390 versus $30,834 for females. The per capita income for the township was $25,010. About 4.0% of families and 5.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.7% of those under age 18 and 6.1% of those age 65 or over.[74][75]
Downtown Toms River
Toms River has many shopping malls including Ocean County Mall (the only enclosed mall in Ocean County[81]) and Seacourt Pavilion, located across Bay Avenue from the Ocean County Mall. It is home to the corporate headquarters of EGM Green, as well as the headquarters for OceanFirst Bank.
The RWJBarnabas Health Arena (formerly Pine Belt Arena), a 3,500-seat public arena connected to Toms River High School North, is used for concerts, sporting events, and some small local events throughout the year to raise money for the school district. Starting in January 2018, the name was officially changed to the "RWJBarnabas Health Arena" after the district signed a five-year deal with RWJBarnabas Health under which the district would be paid a total of $637,500 for the naming rights.[82]
Toms River Fest was held during the summer in Toms River, bringing many people from in and out of the area, with 25,000 attendees at the 2008 event.[83] Originally planned to be an annual event, it has not been held since 2008.
Toms River made national headlines in the 1990s when their Little League Baseball team, nicknamed "Beast from the East", competed in the Little League World Series three times in five years. The team won in 1998, after defeating Japan by a score of 12–9.[84] More than 40,000 people lined Route 37 for a parade following their victory.[85]
Toms River Little League made it back to the 2010 World Series, giving the town its record fourth Mid-Atlantic championship, returning as regional runners-up in 2021.[86] In 2022, the team again took the New Jersey State title, but lost to Massapequa in the Metro Region championship, in Bristol, Connecticut.[87]
Toms River is also home to many National Champion Pop Warner Cheerleading titles, with the Toms River Angels taking home championships in several divisions in 1995, 1998–2003, 2007, 2008, 2016, 2018, and 2019; the Toms River Indians winning in 1999, 2003, and 2007; and the Toms River Little Indians taking titles in 1993, 1994, 1997, 1998, and 2005–2009.[88] The Toms River Raiders won the Division 1 Jr., Pee Wee football title in 1996.[89]
Sports complexes
John Bennett Indoor Athletic Center
Known locally as "The Bubble", the center is one of three indoor athletic complex's in Ocean County and one of the largest in New Jersey. It is located just south of Intermediate School East, and named after John Bennet, TRSD superintendent from 1960 to 1977.[90] It was severely damaged as a result of Hurricane Sandy, reopening in January 2013, after repairs were completed.[91]
The facility was damaged again in 2022, when over a foot of ice and snow fell during a January nor'easter, causing portions of the dome to collapse in on itself.[92]
In May 2022, the complex was rebranded as part of a multi-year naming rights agreement. The facility is now called the Rothman Orthopaedic Sports Complex at the John Bennett Athletic Center.[93]
RWJBarnabas Health Arena
A 3,204-seat multi-use center was opened to the public in 2004, attached to Toms River High School North. The sports, music, and convention center has gone by a number of different names, including: the Ritacco Center, Poland Spring Arena, and Pine Belt Arena.
The building also serves as the location for HS North graduation ceremonies, with the inaugural event held for the Class of 2004.
There are 13 parks located within and maintained by Toms River Township.[95] Two of the newest recreational areas include the Toms River Skatepark, a 7,000 square feet (650m2) outdoor skatepark completed in 2021,[96] and Field of Dreams Playground, a 3.5 acres (1.4ha) gated playground opened in 2022 and designed for children with varying physical or developmental disabilities.[97]
Joshua Huddy Park, which opened in 1905, is located in Downtown Toms River and is host to a replica constructed in 1931 of the Revolutionary War fort that was once standing near the site. The town played host to a short skirmish during the Revolution in which Captain Joshua Huddy was captured by a group of Loyalists while defending the Toms River Blockhouse and hanged without trial. The trail of Captain Huddy can be followed throughout the town.[98]
In 1992, improvements to the park were made to mark the 225th anniversary of the township, during which time Luker Bridge was dedicated, named for Thomas Luker, the 17th century ferryman who is believed to be the river's namesake.[99] In 2017, a $1.6million renovation of the park was completed to commemorate the township's 250th anniversary.[100]
Local government
Since 2002, Toms River Township has operated within the Faulkner Act (formally known as the Optional Municipal Charter Law) under the Mayor-Council form of New Jersey municipal government.[4][101] The township is one of 71 municipalities (of the 564) statewide that use this form of government.[102] The governing body is comprised of the Mayor and seven-member Township Council. The council includes four members who each represent one of four wards of the township and three who are chosen at-large. The mayor and the seven council members are chosen on a partisan basis as part of the November general election in odd-numbered years to serve four-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with the mayor and three at-large seats elected together and the four ward seats chosen simultaneously two years later.[103]
In December 2017, the Township Council appointed Don Guardian, the former Mayor of Atlantic City to replace Paul J. Shives; Guardian was given an annual salary of $175,000, while Shives had been paid $223,000.[104]
As of 2024[update], the Mayor of Toms River is Republican Daniel T. Rodrick, whose term of office expires December 31, 2027.[5] Township Council members are Council President Craig Coleman (R, at-large, 2027), Council Vice President Lynne O'Toole (R, at-large, 2027), Thomas Nivison (at-large, 2027), Justin Lamb (R, Ward 1, 2025), George Lobman (R, Ward 2, 2027), James Quinlisk (R, Ward 3, 2025), and David Ciccozzi (R, Ward 4, 2025).[105][106][107][108][109][110]
Ocean County is governed by a Board of County Commissioners composed of five members who are elected on an at-large basis in partisan elections and serving staggered three-year terms of office, with either one or two seats coming up for election each year as part of the November general election. At an annual reorganization held in the beginning of January, the board chooses a director and a deputy director from among its members.[122] As of 2024[update], Ocean County's Commissioners (with party affiliation, term-end year and residence) are:
Constitutional officers elected on a countywide basis are:
Clerk Scott M. Colabella (R, 2025, Barnegat Light),[130][131]
Sheriff Michael G. Mastronardy (R, 2025; Toms River)[132][133] and
Surrogate Jeffrey Moran (R, 2028, Beachwood).[134][135][136]
Politics
As of November2023[update], there were a total of 71,672 registered voters in Toms River Township.[137] Among the township's 2010 Census population, 65.7% (vs. 63.2% in Ocean County) were registered to vote, including 83.6% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 82.6% countywide).[138][139]
In the 2016 presidential election, Republican Donald Trump received 64.7% of the vote (28,545 cast), ahead of Democrat Hillary Clinton with 32.4% (14,287 votes), and other candidates with 3.0% (1,315 votes), among the 44,147 ballots cast by the township's voters. In the 2012 presidential election, Republican Mitt Romney received 57.0% of the vote (22,773 cast), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 42.0% (16,776 votes), and other candidates with 1.0% (408 votes), among the 40,235 ballots cast by the township's 62,614 registered voters (278 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 64.3%.[140][141] In the 2008 presidential election, Republican John McCain received 57.2% of the vote (25,881 cast), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 40.8% (18,439 votes) and other candidates with 1.3% (600 votes), among the 45,215 ballots cast by the township's 62,909 registered voters, for a turnout of 71.9%.[142] In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 60.7% of the vote (26,203 ballots cast), outpolling Democrat John Kerry with 38.1% (16,467 votes) and other candidates with 0.6% (360 votes), among the 43,170 ballots cast by the township's 59,544 registered voters, for a turnout percentage of 72.5.[143]
In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 74.5% of the vote (19,317 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 24.2% (6,269 votes), and other candidates with 1.3% (330 votes), among the 26,470 ballots cast by the township's 61,593 registered voters (554 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 43.0%.[144][145]
In the 2017 gubernatorial election, Republican Kim Guadagno received 62.3% of the vote (15,744 cast), ahead of Democrat Phil Murphy with 35.3% (8,929 votes), and other candidates with 2.3% (593 votes), among the 25,266 ballots cast by Township's voters.
In the 2021 gubernatorial election, of the 32,686 ballots cast by Township voters, Republican Jack Ciattarelli received 69.5% of the vote (22,728 cast), ahead of incumbent Democrat Phil Murphy with 29.8% (9,732 votes), and other candidates with 0.7% (226 votes).[146]
Students in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade attend the Toms River Regional Schools, a regional public school system (centered primarily in Toms River Township) that is the largest suburban school district in New Jersey. In addition to students from Toms River, the district also serves the adjoining boroughs of Beachwood, Pine Beach and South Toms River.[147] It is the largest suburban school district in the state, and the fourth largest school district in New Jersey (after Newark, Jersey City and Paterson).[148] It is also the largest school district in the state that is not an Abbott District. As of the 2018–19 school year, the district, comprised of 18 schools, had an enrollment of 15,472 students and 1,171.6 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 13.2:1.[149]
Seats on the district's nine-member board of education are allocated based on the population of the constituent municipalities, with six seats assigned to Toms River.[171][172]
Ocean County College, a two-year college that offers four-year options in cooperation with other New Jersey colleges and universities, is located on Hooper Avenue in Toms River.[175] In May 2014, The Jay and Linda Grunin Foundation announced a $5.7million donation (equivalent to $7 million in 2023) to establish The Jay and Linda Grunin Center for the Arts, the largest single donation received in OCC's 50-year history.[176]
The Asbury Park Press provides daily news coverage of Toms River Township, as does WOBM-FM radio. The township's government provides columns and commentary to The Toms River Times, which is one of seven weekly papers from Micromedia Publications.[177]
WOBM-FM radio started broadcasting from the Bayville section of Berkeley Township in March 1968. The station relocated to studios in Toms River in 2013.[178]
As of May2010[update], the township had a total of 453.89 miles (730.47km) of roadways, of which 351.13 miles (565.09km) were maintained by the municipality, 72.45 miles (116.60km) by Ocean County, 24.04 miles (38.69km) by the New Jersey Department of Transportation and 6.27 miles (10.09km) by the New Jersey Turnpike Authority.[179]
Two of the most congested roads are Hooper Avenue (CR 549) and Route 37, which sees extra traffic from travelers to the Jersey shore during the summertime, due to it being a main artery to the shore from the Garden State Parkway at interchange 82. The township is also home to one of the state's only at-grade cloverleafs, at the intersection of Hooper Avenue (CR 549) and Bay Avenue (CR 571).[180]
The New Jersey Turnpike Authority proposed in 1971 to build the Driscoll Expressway which was to start from exit 80 of the parkway and end 3 miles (4.8km) north of exit 8A of the New Jersey Turnpike in South Brunswick. This project was killed in 1980.[181]
Ocean Ride local service is provided on the OC1 Whiting, OC1A Whiting Express, OC2 Manchester, OC3 Brick – Lakewood – Toms River, OC3A Brick – Point Pleasant and the OC10 Toms River Connection routes.[187][188][189]
Toms River is home to many beaches located along the Jersey Shore, including Ortley Beach, Normandy Beach, Monterey Beach, Ocean Beach, Chadwick Beach, and Silver Beach.
The New Jersey Chili and Salsa Cook-Off, as well as the New Jersey Ice Cream Festival are held in Toms River.[195]
The Toms River Branch of Ocean County Library is the headquarters of the Ocean County Library system and the largest public library in Ocean County. In January 2006, a renovation project was completed that doubled the size of the facility.[196]
The 1979 movie The Amityville Horror was filmed in Toms River, rather than Amityville on Long Island. Local police and ambulance workers played extras. The Toms River Volunteer Fire Company Number One was used to provide the "rain" during one of the exterior scenes. If you look closely, you can see that it is sunny and not "raining" in the background, the next street over.[199]
Downtown Toms River hosts many community events, including festivals such as Toms River Pride and the second largest Halloween parade in the world. The official logo is a 'T' with a river, forming an 'R', through it. The slogan is "Great Places. Familiar Faces."[200]
Judith Hird (c.1946), ordained as the pastor of the Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Toms River in 1972, making her the first woman pastor of a Lutheran church[246]
Gary Jobson (born c.1951, class of 1969), sailor, television commentator and author who is Editor at Large of Sailing World and Cruising World magazines and President of the National Sailing Hall of Fame[251]
Robert O. Marshall (1939–2015), businessman whose 1980s conviction for the contract murder of his wife was the subject of a controversial 1989 book and 1990 television miniseries[263]
Sergey Padyukov (1922–1993), architect, engineer, sculptor and human rights activist, best known for his work designing churches and other houses of worship[279]
"Toms River Community Profile"Archived August 28, 2008, at the Wayback Machine, Ocean County Library. Accessed May 26, 2017. "Most believed it was named for Thomas Luker, who came to the area around 1700 and married Princess Anne, daughter of the local Indian Chief. Only in 1992, with the dedication of a small footbridge in Huddy Park to his memory, was Thomas Luker officially recognized as the source of the 'Tom' in Toms River. Over 40 of Luker's direct descendants and their families attended the ceremony where Ocean County Historian Pauline Miller laid to rest the other stories."
The 2014 Pulitzer Prize Winners – General NonfictionArchived December 23, 2014, at the Wayback Machine, Pulitzer Prize. Accessed December 18, 2014. "In an astonishing feat of investigative reporting, prize-winning journalist Dan Fagin recounts the sixty-year saga of rampant pollution and inadequate oversight that made Toms River a cautionary example for fast-growing industrial towns from South Jersey to South China."
Romano, Jay. "Ortley Beach Journal; Secession Drive Brings Criticism"Archived December 20, 2017, at the Wayback Machine, The New York Times, February 12, 1989. Accessed July 11, 2012. "Ortley Beach is one of several small communities on the barrier island that runs from Point Pleasant to Seaside Park and separates Barnegat Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. Centered on this island, Ortley Beach is bordered on the north by Lavallette and on the south by Seaside Heights, both independent municipalities."
Wilson, Harold Fisher. The Jersey Shore; a social and economic history of the counties of Atlantic, Cape May, Monmouth, and OceanArchived March 19, 2022, at the Wayback Machine. New York: Lewis Historical Publishing. 1953. Vol. 2. Appendix B: Population Statistics. Ocean County Population Statistics. p. 1132. "Dover Township reported 1,882 in 1810; 1,916 in 1820; 2,898 in 1830 and a drop to 2,752 in 1840. In 1846 Union was created from Dover and Stafford, reporting a population of 1,759 in 1850, and Dover's population dropped in that year to 2,385.
Larsen, Eric. "Pine Belt Arena in Toms River renamed a second time in 5 months: RWJBarnabas Health Arena"Archived July 14, 2023, at the Wayback Machine, Asbury Park Press, December 21, 2017. Accessed January 18, 2018. "The Pine Belt Arena, which was to have been renamed the Hackensack Meridian Health Arena at the start of the new school year, will now be called the RWJBarnabas Health Arena at the start of the new calendar year.... RWJBarnabas, which owns Community Medical Center in Toms River and Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, will pay the Toms River Regional School District $637,500 over five years to have its name emblazoned upon the 3,500-seat complex on Old Freehold Road."
Kile, III, William H. "Indoor Track: 'Bubble' finally ready for action"Archived March 4, 2016, at the Wayback Machine, Medford Central Record, January 11, 2013. Accessed August 14, 2014. "The familiar sound of the starter's pistol rang out from the John Bennett Indoor Athletic Complex on Jan. 2 and it was a welcome sound for track coaches and fans in the area.The South Jersey indoor track and field season finally got underway last week after the Hooper Avenue facility, also known fondly as 'The Bubble,' was repaired after sustaining damage when Hurricane Sandy arrived at the end of October."
Joshua Huddy ParkArchived January 19, 2018, at the Wayback Machine, Crossroads of the American Revolution. Accessed January 18, 2018. "A park was erected in 1931 which includes a replica blockhouse and a memorial of Captain Huddy and his men."
Mikle, Jean. "First family of Toms River reunites"Archived December 21, 2023, at the Wayback Machine, Asbury Park Press, May 16, 1992. Accessed December 25, 2023, via Newspapers.com. "Not all the people who attended a bridge dedication ceremony in Huddy Park bore the last name Luker, but most of them could trace their ancestry back to Thomas Luker, the man for whom the Toms River is believed to have been named."
Mikle, Jean. "$1M makeover for Toms River's Huddy Park", Asbury Park Press, June 10, 2015. Accessed December 25, 2023. "The township's oldest park – it was established in 1905 – was flooded during superstorm Sandy and has suffered nearly a quarter century's worth of wear and tear since it was last redeveloped in 1992. The park is the site of the popular Wooden Boat Festival in July. Toms River plans to spend approximately $1 million to replace bulkheading, install new landscaping and benches, sidewalks and benches, and reconstruct the replica of the Toms River blockhouse – a Revolutionary War fort – which is located at the downtown park on Water Street."
Oglesby, Amanda. "Atlantic City mayor Donald Guardian to be next Toms River administrator"Archived July 14, 2023, at the Wayback Machine, Asbury Park Press, December 27, 2017. Accessed January 18, 2018. "Atlantic City Mayor Donald Guardian has weathered tough economic times in his city – the reason Toms River Mayor Thomas F. Kelaher says Guardian is the right person to take over as the township's new business administrator. The Township Council approved Guardian's appointment on Tuesday night. He will replace outgoing Business Administrator Paul Shives, Kelaher said."
Biography of Bob Menendez, United States Senate, January 26, 2015. "Menendez, who started his political career in Union City, moved in September from Paramus to one of Harrison's new apartment buildings near the town's PATH station.."
"Governor – Ocean County"(PDF). New Jersey Department of Elections. January 29, 2014. Archived(PDF) from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved December 24, 2014.
Toms River Regional School District 2015 Report Card NarrativeArchived July 19, 2016, at the Wayback Machine, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed July 11, 2016. "Toms River Regional is the largest suburban school district in the state, with a population of approximately 16,000 students learning in a pre-kindergarten early learning center, twelve elementary schools, three intermediate schools and three high schools. Despite its size, the district takes enormous pride in providing a neighborhood school concept with high-quality educational programs, facilities, and services for students from our four sending towns of Beachwood, Pine Beach, South Toms River, and Toms River."
Board of EducationArchived June 17, 2020, at the Wayback Machine, Toms River Regional Schools. Accessed June 17, 2020. "The Toms River Board of Education is comprised of nine elected members. Six are elected from Toms River Township, and one each from the Boroughs of Pine Beach, Beachwood and South Toms River."
Michaels, Shawn. "WOBM Is Moving – Join Us For A Look Back At Nearly 45 Years"Archived March 21, 2023, at the Wayback Machine, WOBM-FM, January 20, 2013. Accessed March 21, 2023. "Townsquare Media has designed and constructed a new state of the art facility in Downtown Toms River (8 Robbins Street) and we are very excited to begin the new chapter for your 'Hometown' Station 92.7 WOBM. WOBM went on the air March 1, 1968 in these Bayville studios ....in the middle of a snowstorm!"
Crane, Mark via Associated Press. "What's right in 'right of way'; Roadway devours homes, farms"Archived November 19, 2015, at the Wayback Machine, The Nevada Daily Mail, March 13, 1981. Accessed September 18, 2013. "The authority finally declared the Alfred E. Driscoll Expressway project dormant last year after almost a decade of planning, legal battles and land acquisitions that totalled $17million.... Land values have increased significantly in the past seven years and some parcels have doubled or tripled in value since the authority purchased 100 tracts of land from some 30 or 40 owners along a 38-mile strip from Toms River to North Brunswick."
Bennett, Don. "County gets behind hospital's bid for heart certification", Asbury Park Press, March 3, 2008. Accessed July 11, 2012. "Three years ago, Kelly said, Community's bid was approved by all the boards that reviewed it, but was rejected by the then-commissioner of health – despite Community's being the largest non-teaching hospital in the state, with 587 beds, and its affiliation with two cardiac surgery centers: Beth Israel and St. Barnabas."
Diamond, Michael L. "Community Medical Center takes big step as teaching hospital with first class of residents"Archived July 14, 2023, at the Wayback Machine, Asbury Park Press, July 8, 2021. Accessed November 27, 2022. "Community Medical Center's leaders on Wednesday inaugurated the first class of residents in the hospital's 60-year history, placing long white coats over their shoulders and urging them to practice medicine with compassion. The ceremony put a stamp on Community's new designation as a teaching hospital.... The hospital was approved by the American College of Graduate Medical Education as a teaching hospital, and it spent millions to renovate a floor for the residents and to hire faculty, said Patrick Ahearn, chief executive officer."
Reiss, Fraidy. "Students restore cannon", Asbury Park Press, "Right there in town hall, for all the world to see, the town whose slogan boasts 'Great places, familiar faces' recently began displaying a black, functional, 500-pound swivel cannon."
Staff. "Shooting of Blind Faith Begins"Archived May 23, 2013, at the Wayback Machine, The Wichita Eagle, November 5, 1989. Accessed February 15, 2012. "Shooting has started in Los Angeles on the NBC miniseries, "Blind Faith." It is based on the Joe McGinniss book about the murder of Toms River, N.J., housewife Maria Marshall."
Edelson, Stephen. "Watch: Shore's greatest hoops players of the 90s"Archived July 14, 2023, at the Wayback Machine, Asbury Park Press, February 16, 2016. Accessed November 22, 2017. "Corey Albano, Toms River South (1993) – Albano produced a rare double as a senior for the Indians, leading the Shore in both scoring (29.8 ppg) and rebounding (15.1 rpg), to go with 4.2 blocks."
Fremon, Suzanne S. "State Has 13 on Olympic Team"Archived June 23, 2019, at the Wayback Machine, The New York Times, August 13, 1972. Accessed November 22, 2017. "Casey Bahr of Toms River, a lieutenant, j.g., in the United States Navy with the Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron, is a member of the United States Olympic soccer team."
Edelson, Stephen. "Toms River's Barnes returns to N.J. with Jets", Asbury Park Press, March 9, 2007. Accessed April 6, 2011. "Darian Barnes' professional football odyssey came full circle Thursday when the Toms River native signed a free agent contract with the Jets, nearly five years after he began his NFL career by being released by the Giants during training camp in 2002."
Denman, Elliott. "Shore Hall of Fame inducts 17", Asbury Park Press, May 13, 1999. "Alex Blackwell, a Toms River North and Monmouth College basketball player who spent a year with the NBA's Los Angeles Lakers and several more seasons in international professional competition."
"New Jersey Native Signs with Sky Blue FC"Archived August 13, 2023, at the Wayback Machine, Our Sports Central, December 6, 2010. Accessed August 13, 2023. "The team formally announced today that midfielder Carolyn Blank, who is a native of Toms River, New Jersey, will be joining the organization in 2011 when it aims to return the league championship to the Garden State."
Makin, Bob. "Skid Row guitarist Dave 'Snake' Sabo returns home to Sayreville to rock Starland Ballroom"Archived September 24, 2020, at the Wayback Machine, Courier News, November 3, 2017. Accessed November 22, 2017. "After more than 30 years of making music together, Skid Row's three original members – guitarists Dave 'Snake' Sabo and Scotti Hill and bassist Rachel Bolan – never take their success for granted, Sayreville-raised Sabo said.... But when that opportunity went to Richie Sambora, the childhood friends from Robin Place and Robin Hood Drive in Sayreville became management mates at McGhee Entertainment soon after Sabo formed Skid Row with Toms River-raised Bolan in 1986."
Munson, John. "America's Cup racing comes to Hudson River with N.J. native on Team USA"Archived September 12, 2016, at the Wayback Machine, NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, May 6, 2016. Accessed November 22, 2017. "'As a boy from Toms River sailing in the Barnegat Bay Yacht Racing Association, Campbell learned "to be adventurous and self reliant sailing with myself or one other person and exploring, getting stuck capsized in the river, and figuring out how to problem solve with sailing as the mechanism for that learning'.... At age eight his family moved from Toms River to San Diego where the weather is nearly perfect year round."
Sean CashmanArchived July 13, 2019, at the Wayback Machine, The Baseball Cube. Accessed September 23, 2019. "Born Date: 1987 [32.???] Place: Toms River, New Jersey High School: Toms River North (Toms River, NJ)"
Eichel, Molly. "Temple grad Syma Chowdhry officially joins CBS3"Archived August 14, 2014, at the Wayback Machine, Philadelphia Daily News, October 2, 2013. Accessed August 14, 2014. "Originally hailing from Toms River, N.J, Chowdhry began her career in 2004 in Raleigh, N.C., and was a familiar face on "News 12 New Jersey" in Edison and a reporter for The University Network in Jersey City."
Snyder, Kayla. "Kathy Voytko and John Cudia Q&A"Archived September 23, 2019, at the Wayback Machine, USA Today High School Sports, February 15, 2016. Accessed September 23, 2019. "John: I grew up in Toms River, NJ. I think it made pursuing my dreams easier because I was so close to New York City."
Lyon, Nancy. "The Last Days of a Blue-Collar Resort"Archived December 1, 2017, at the Wayback Machine, The New York Times, September 16, 1973. Accessed November 22, 2017. "Marguerite de Angeli, who summered on Money Island with her family for many years, in 1947 wrote Jared's Island, a book about a Scottish boy who is shipwrecked, rescued by an American sea captain and taken to Money Island."
Sielski, Mike. "Heard on the Field"Archived June 27, 2019, at the Wayback Machine, The Wall Street Journal, October 29, 2011. Accessed June 27, 2019. "Jerry DiPoto, a native of Toms River, N.J., who pitched for the Mets in 1995 and 1996, will be named the general manager of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim during a news conference Saturday, a person with knowledge of the situation has confirmed."
Stump, Scott. "7-Foot-1 Pitcher Cut By Team In Minors Is Next Big Thing In Beach Volleyball"Archived September 6, 2015, at the Wayback Machine, The Pst Game, November 19, 2013. Accessed October 12, 2015. "Doherty grew up in baseball-mad Toms River, N.J., home of the two-time Little League World Series champions and a trio of strong high school programs. After starring as a hard-throwing right-handed starter at Toms River High School East, Doherty became an All-Big East closer at Notre Dame in 2004."
Feitl, Steve. "Back To His Roots: Frank Edgar part of fight card in UFC's return to New Jersey"[permanent dead link], Home News Tribune, November 15, 2007. Accessed December 28, 2007. "After an accomplished wrestling career – one that saw him place twice at states while at Toms River High School East and qualify for nationals all four years as an All-American at Clarion University in Pennsylvania – Edgar chose to train for the combat sport that merges numerous disciplines from wrestling to jiu-jitsu to kickboxing."
Christopher, Chris. "Frazier to Cincinnati; 34th overall"Archived August 12, 2007, at the Wayback Machine, Ocean County Observer, June 8, 2007. "She had to do something to honor her cousin, Todd Frazier, the former Toms River High School South standout selected 34th in the supplemental first round of the 2007 First-Year Player Draft yesterday by the Cincinnati Reds.... Todd Frazier of Toms River, right, was picked by the Cincinnati Reds yesterday."
Brian Geraghty, The New York Times from Allmovie. Accessed April 6, 2011. "After viewing that performance, Geraghty – unclear after high school about where he wanted to go or what he wanted to do – made a beeline from his home of Toms River, NJ, to New York City's Neighborhood Playhouse, where he plunged headfirst into classical theater – and subsequently received a bid to audition for HBO's organized crime drama The Sopranos."
Kurland, Bob. "Metrostars Minus Two – Donadoni, Ramos To Miss Opener", The Record, April 12, 1996. "Kearny native Ted Gillen, who grew up in Toms River, was placed on injured reserve due to a slow-healing hamstring."
Hagenmayer, S. Joseph. "A. Goullet, A Legend In Bike Racing"Archived April 16, 2016, at the Wayback Machine, The Philadelphia Inquirer, March 14, 1995. Accessed August 14, 2014. "Alfred T. 'Alf' Goullet, 103, whose world-record-setting performances in bicycling races on three continents prompted sportswriters to compare him to baseball's Babe Ruth and boxing's Jack Dempsey, died Saturday at a retirement home in Toms River... He resided in Newark for 75 years and lived in Red Bank and then Toms River for the last eight years."
"The Sandlot TV series With The Original Cast Is Coming Soon"Archived September 23, 2019, at the Wayback Machine, WPST, March 5, 2019. Accessed September 23, 2019. "If you're a fan of the movie then maybe you already knew that one of the main characters has roots in New Jersey. Tom Guiry, who played Scotty Smalls in the film, was born in Toms River, NJ, and grew up in the Mercer County area."
Larsen, Erik. "Haines appointed Ocean County freeholder"Archived July 14, 2023, at the Wayback Machine, Asbury Park Press, January 26, 2016. Accessed August 30, 2016. "Ocean County Freeholder-designate Virginia 'Ginny' Haines is surrounded by supporters and county Republican leaders following her appointment to the county's governing body on Tuesday night. Haines, 69, of Toms River, becomes only the second woman to serve on the Ocean County freeholder board since 1850."
Mikle, Jean. "New sculpture exhibit in downtown Toms River"Archived July 14, 2023, at the Wayback Machine, Asbury Park Press, June 7, 2016. Accessed November 22, 2017. "This year, the bronze works scattered throughout downtown are pieces by renowned artist Brian Hanlon, a Toms River resident who owns Hanlon Sculpture Studio. There are sports figures, military heroes, and a leader of the Civil Rights movement – Fannie Lou Hamer."
"Lutherans Updating Status Of Women"Archived May 5, 2016, at the Wayback Machine, The News-Palladium, July 5, 1972. Accessed October 12, 2015. "The denomination ordained its first woman minister only last year, and now has two of them out of 7,328 clergy—the Rev. Judith Hird, a Toms River, N.J., pastor, and the Rev. Elizabeth Platz, campus pastor at the University of Maryland."
Hopkins, Kathleen. "Taxes key in 10th District;Hopefuls spar over millionaires surcharge", Asbury Park Press, October 24, 2011. Accessed August 14, 2014. "'I think we've done an excellent job in representing the interests of our district,' said Holzapfel, 67, a Toms River resident who served as Ocean County prosecutor from 1987 to 1992 and who is senior partner in the Toms River law firm of Citta, Holzapfel and Zabarsky."
Anthony W. IvinsArchived November 29, 2017, at the Wayback Machine, Washington County Historical Society. Accessed November 22, 2017. "Anthony Woodward Ivins was born September 16, 1852 in Toms River, New Jersey. He and his family emigrated to Salt Lake City, arriving in August 1853 after a 140-day journey."
Stone, Drew. "The NYHC Chronicles LIVE! Ep. #58 Jeff "JJ" Janiak (Discharge / Broken Bones / Dead Heros") YouTube, uploaded by stonefilmsnyc, Streamed live on 9 Sept 2020, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oExCPVUjUYkArchived April 24, 2022, at the Wayback Machine . Acsessed March 26, 2021
Kuperinsky, Amy. "Former WWE star Marty Jannetty elaborates on claim he made a man ‘disappear’"Archived April 10, 2022, at the Wayback Machine, NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, August 6, 2020. Accessed April 10, 2022. "The pro wrestler, who has lived in Lakehurst and Toms River, posted the claim about making a man disappear on his Facebook page Wednesday, saying he had fought back after a man allegedly tried to sexually assault him in his native Columbus, Georgia as a teen."
Edelson, Steve. "Konopka right at home, in Ireland"[permanent dead link], Asbury Park Press, March 12, 2008. Accessed April 8, 2008. "Since stepping off a plane at Dublin Airport on Jan. 15 and signing a contract with storied Bohemian Football Club two weeks later, Chris Konopka has experienced a side of soccer he could barely have imagined growing up in Toms River."
Tan, Michelle. "Survivor's Stephenie LaGrossa Gets Married"Archived January 13, 2016, at the Wayback Machine, People, July 7, 2006. Accessed October 12, 2015. "LaGrossa, a former pharmaceutical sales rep who now models and makes TV and personal appearances, grew up in a suburb of Philadelphia and now lives in Toms River, N.J. "
Anastatisa, Phil. "Scout reflects on baseball love affair", Courier-Post, June 7, 2004. Accessed October 23, 2007. "Lynch mentions former Cherry Hill West left-hander Shawn Senior, Lenape left-hander Scott Schoeneweis and Toms River brothers Al Leiter and Mark Leiter among the local athletes who best caught his eye."
Vogt, Erin. "Phillies call up NJ's Mark Leiter Jr, Unicorn Fraps arrive"Archived April 23, 2017, at the Wayback Machine, WKXW, April 19, 2017. Accessed May 10, 2017. "Another NJ pro ball player has been called up to the Phillies! The Jersey roots don't get any deeper than pitcher Mark Leiter Junior. The NJIT grad from Toms River is the son of former MLB pitcher Mark Leiter and nephew of Al Leiter."
Boulard, Garry. Louis Prima, p. 145. University of Illinois Press, 1989. ISBN9780252070907. Accessed October 12, 2015. "Following the newspaper coverage from Toms River, New Jersey, was twenty-year-old Gia Maione, a waitress at the local Howard Johnson's who studied voice and piano in high school."
Dremousis, Litsa. Demetri MartinArchived October 20, 2006, at the Wayback Machine, The Believer, February 2006. Accessed June 23, 2007. "The son of a Greek Orthodox priest (note: Orthodox priests can marry prior to ordination) and a nutritionist, Martin grew up with his brother and sister in Toms River, New Jersey."
Manual of the Legislature of New Jersey, Volume 189Archived April 15, 2023, at the Wayback Machine, p. 375. J.A. Fitzgerald, 1965. "William Steelman Mathis (Rep., Toms River) Senator Mathis was born in Tuckerton, December 1, 1898. He graduated from Peddie School and afterward took course at the Peirce Business College of Philadelphia."
Roberts, Sam. "Metro Matters; Rosenberg Case: Family's Struggle At Reconciliation"Archived January 30, 2018, at the Wayback Machine, The New York Times, June 20, 1988. Accessed February 15, 2012. "His nephews, Michael and Robert Meeropol, planned no special remembrance. Robert intended only to take a long walk alone near his home in Massachusetts to reflect on that afternoon in Toms River, N.J., when his older brother, then 10, was ushered outside to join him after the television broadcast of the Yankees-Tigers game was interrupted repeatedly by news bulletins about the impending execution of their parents, Julius and Ethel Rosenberg."
Spahr, Rob. "Current, former professional athletes talk drugs in sports at Ocean County event"Archived December 1, 2017, at the Wayback Machine, NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, January 17, 2015. Accessed November 22, 2017. "Tony Meola, a Toms River resident and former MLS soccer star who was the goalie for the U.S. National Team and a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame, told the room that it isn't only illegal drugs that pose problems for athletes."
"Kurt Metzger talks to young people about sex, we should listen"Archived August 28, 2019, at the Wayback Machine, The Laugh Button, July 15, 2011. Accessed July 22, 2017. "Metzger kicks off the album talking about what he knows best, New Jersey and Guidos. As a Toms River native it's a subject Kurt spent most of his life learning the ways of these Jersey Shore phenomenon."
"The Mystery Novelist"Archived June 6, 2023, at the Wayback Machine, Forbes, February 11, 2009. Accessed June 5, 2023. "It had brought her a long way from the chicken farm in Toms River, N.J., where she grew up."
Schmidhausler, Gretchen. "Wall Street proves fodder for foul play"Archived June 6, 2023, at the Wayback Machine, Asbury Park Press, October 21, 1990. Accessed June 5, 2023, via Newspaper.com. "Actually, it doesn't pay quite well enough for Annette Brafman Meyers to quit her full-time job not yet, at least. After waiting patiently for almost 50 years, Ms. Meyers, a former Toms River resident who now resides in Manhattan, is working on her third mystery novel and is ready to take her place on the shelf with the likes of mystery writers P.D. James, Sue Grafton and Sara Paretsky."
Spelling, Ian. "N.J.'s River City Extension opens for Avett Brothers at PNC Arts Center"Archived January 12, 2016, at the Wayback Machine, The Record, September 22, 2011. Accessed January 25, 2015. "Joe Michelini formed River City Extension in 2007, and since then enough members have joined and left the Toms River-based band that the group's founder and lead singer considers their current tour a series of get-to-know-you shows. 'It's like we're forced to overcome a lot of obstacles at once and in a very short amount of time,' Michelini says by telephone from his Toms River home."
Steve MormandoArchived January 13, 2016, at the Wayback Machine, New York University Athletics. Accessed October 12, 2015. "A native of Toms River, NJ, Mormando resides in Dover, NJ."
"Obituary: Rocco Neri 1919-2011"Archived March 6, 2016, at the Wayback Machine, Courier News, October 8, 2011. Accessed April 20, 2020. "Rocco Neri, 92 of Toms River, died on Thursday October 6th at Fountainview Care Center, Lakewood. He owned & operated the Stuyvesant Auto Body in Irvington for 30 years. Born in Newark, he resided in Irvington from 1951 -1985 when he moved to Toms River."
"Sergey Padukow, at 70; architect, rights activist"Archived December 28, 2017, at the Wayback Machine, Asbury Park Press, October 24, 1993. Accessed December 27, 2017. "Sergey Padukow, 70, a Toms River architect known for his church designs and volunteer work on human rights issues, died Friday morning at Thomas Jefferson Medical Center, Philadelphia, after a brief illness."
Scott PalgutaArchived January 12, 2014, at the Wayback Machine, Colorado College. Accessed January 12, 2014. "Palguta, a native of Toms River, N.J., was a two-time all-Ivy League selection at Cornell University, where he graduated in 2005 with a bachelor's degree in hotel administration."
Rachinsky, Jack. "Paralympic swimmer Christie Raleigh Crossley may be close to achieving longtime athletic dream", WNKY, June 29, 2024. Accessed July 5, 2024. "Christie Raleigh Crossley’s dream of being an Olympic swimmer began at age 9, watching the Atlanta Games. The native of Toms River, New Jersey, was named an All-American twice at Florida State but later sustained injuries in two traffic accidents and in 2018 developed a brain tumor that left her partially paralyzed just as she was contemplating a final shot at the Olympics."
King, Wayne. "It's Not Us, Toms River Says of Portrayal in Book"Archived December 19, 2017, at the Wayback Machine, The New York Times, March 29, 1989. Accessed October 12, 2015. "In the book, the politician is called Raymond DiOrio. But he clearly is John F. Russo, a Toms River lawyer, president of the New Jersey Senate and, until Blind Faith, a man thinking about a campaign for governor."
Najafi, Yusef. "Saying Goodbye to CherylAfter apartment fire and battle with leukemia, local lesbian historian dies"Archived December 1, 2017, at the Wayback Machine, Metro Weekly, September 5, 2007. Accessed November 22, 2017. "During the past 20 years, Spector played an active role in Washington's GLBT community. The native of Toms River, N.J., who came to Washington to study Spanish and broadcast journalism at American University, built a reputation for attending and videotaping nearly every GLBT-related event in Washington, whether it be Capital Pride events, the funerals of the many people who died from AIDS in the late '80s and '90s, or even drag performances."
Sullivan, Al. "'Beam me up, Scotty'; Local writer makes name in Star Trek universe"Archived March 20, 2017, at the Wayback Machine, The Hudson Reporter, March 28, 2008. Accessed March 19, 2017. "A resident of Bayonne since he was 10 years old, William Stape, 39, has become a part of the Star Trek universe, both as the author of scripts for The Next Generation and Deep Space Nine TV series, but also by recently unveiling details concerning the sets of the upcoming Star Trek movie.... Born in Jersey City, Stape moved with his family to the Toms River area before relocating to Bayonne."
Staff. "Speedy Stokes' World Tour Continues in Philly"Archived January 12, 2016, at the Wayback Machine, ArenaFootball.com. Accessed October 12, 2015. " Originally from Toms River, NJ, most of Keith's extended family still resides in New Jersey and makes regular appearances at his games."
Whisman, Courtney. "Noël Valis Lecture"Archived September 9, 2015, at the Wayback Machine, Dartmouth College Department of Spanish and Portuguese, April 24, 2015. Accessed November 22, 2017. "A native of Toms River NJ, Noël Valis has lived in New Haven CT for the last sixteen years and teaches at Yale University."
Hagenmayer, S. Joseph. "Episcopal Bishop Albert W. Van Duzer"Archived March 23, 2016, at the Wayback Machine, The Philadelphia Inquirer, November 30, 1999. Accessed November 8, 2015. "Raised in Toms River, Bishop Van Duzer was a 1935 graduate of Toms River High School, where he was manager for the baseball team, a member of the football team, and in the school play."
Staff. "Renewed Pride for Seton Hall"Archived August 21, 2016, at the Wayback Machine, The New York Times, April 3, 1989. Accessed October 12, 2015. "On Saturday, Werkman had 100 people in his home in Toms River, N.J., to watch the Pirates defeat Duke in the semi-finals. He has also become a recognizable figure again, even if people do not remember that he is Seton Hall's leading career scorer with 2,273 points."