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FAIR HAVEN CO. IN THE FABRIC OF COMMUNITY

cozmeena_1Press release from Cozmeena Enlightened Living

To Lisa Luckett, founder of Cozmeena Enlightened Living, the Fair Haven-based business is “a metaphor of the beauty and grace my kids and I received after the loss of my husband on 9/11…My children and I have been showered with love and support that continues to this day. Cozmeena is my way of giving back for all we have received.

“I want to share with people tangible, tactile ways to feel better again,” she continues. “Knitting is one of them.”

Described as a “lifestyle brand centered around knitting for those experiencing hardship,” Cozmeena Enlightened Living has expanded its outreach efforts in the local community. This past holiday season, Cozmeena was approached by Cathy Alescio and Marie Noglows, after the Fair Haven residents spent time volunteering at the Asbury Park facility of Covenant House and saw a need to comfort the organization’s homeless, runaway and at-risk youth. More than 30 Cozmeena knitters created “infinity” and straight-fringed scarves for hundreds of children and adults served by Covenant House, and presented the scarf donations to the Covenant House staff on December 11. In addition, the team of knitters created scarves for dozens of people served by the AIDS and homeless shelter The Center in Asbury Park, as well as Mary’s Place by the Sea, the Ocean Grove-based respite center for women undergoing treatment for cancer.

The effort is now being expanded to encourage others in New Jersey to join, and here in 2016 Cozmeena will act as the distribution arm for the seven New Jersey Covenant House programs, with a planned move to the New York programs as the project expands. The organization will serve as a distribution center for knitters and knitting ministries, helping them to organize and connect creators with people in need.

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RUMSON: ON THE ROAD TO CANTERBURY FAIR

The_Ruthie_n'_Junie,_Belford,_NJ_by_Michael_ScherfenMore than 90 artists — including Michael Scherfen, whose award winning painting “The Ruthie ‘n Junie, Belford NJ” is pictured above — are expected to participate in this year’s Canterbury Art Show in Rumson. The annual event returns to St. George’s Church in September, with advance tickets now available.

Returning for the fourth consecutive year to St. George’s by the River Episcopal Church in Rumson — and relocated once more to Labor Day weekend — the annual Canterbury Art Show…A Tapestry of the Arts event brings one of the area’s largest exhibitions and sales of juried and non-juried artwork back to the banks of the greater Green.

Hundreds of attendees and art patrons have enjoyed the show, in which more than 600 works by artists from all over New Jersey and beyond are displayed each year. All proceeds from the Art Show directly benefit St. George’s-by-the-River and its Outreach Grants to more than 30 local agencies serving the needy of Monmouth and Ocean Counties, including Lunch Break, Parker Family Health Clinic, Family Promise, HABcore, The Center in Asbury Park, and more.

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