Happy Tuesday, New Jersey!

🥵🔥Weather: The extreme heat continues with a 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 96. Heat index values as high as 101.

👀What's on tap today:

• 10 things to do in Ocean City this summer

• Can you afford to insure your retirement dream home?

• It's blueberry season in NJ. Try our favorite recipe for Grandma's Blueberry Muffins!
  

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10 things to do in Ocean City this summer

There’s a reason Ocean City is known as “America’s Greatest Family Resort.” It’s because some of the absolute best under-the-sun family fun on the East Coast happens here. Here are some suggestions we think you’re shore to enjoy with the grandkids!

Get on Board– Voted the “Best Boardwalk in New Jersey in 2022” by NJ Monthly Magazine, the OC “boards” deliver nearly 2.5 miles of superior strolling. Enjoy tasty legendary restaurants, seaside boutiques, iconic boardwalk treats – cotton candy, fried Oreos, potato tornadoes, water ice and more. Oh, and all the sea breezes and surf-side views you could ask for. Dive in and discover more about the Ocean City boardwalk and other amazing boardwalks along the famous Jersey Shore.

Go For a Ride– Gillian’s Wonderland Pier is your ticket to excitement – from the log flume to the classic carousel built in 1926, sky-scraping swings super fun slides, the Giant Wheel, and other thrill-a-minute rides. But that’s not all. Look for the pirate ship to find a treasure of rides at Playland’s Castaway Cove too. Boasting more than 30 sensational rides including 10 adrenalin-pumping thrill rides, 3 mini-golf courses, go-karts and oh-so-much more. Love soaring on high-flyin’ rides? Take NJ’s 3-day Amusement Park Road Trip for a spin.

Make Waves– Surf and sun fun is yours along Ocean City’s eight miles of pristine beach. Rent (or bring) a chair, pop open an umbrella, build sandcastles, collect shells or just kick back and sink your toes in the sand. That’s everyone’s favorite pastime, isn’t it? OC is also known as a great place to bodyboard, parasail or even learn to surf – the choices are endless. Get to know more about all the surfing hotspots where you can catch a wave in New Jersey (including outstanding Ocean City) here.

Get Salty– The oldest business on the Ocean City Boardwalk, Shriver’s Saltwater Taffy also happens to be one of the tastiest. In fact, when it comes to iconic Jersey Shore tastes, this place is simply legendary. Pop in for a box of your favorite taffy, fudge, macaroons, chocolates and more sugary treats. Hungry for more? Check out our essential NJ outdoor dining guide featuring alfresco eateries up and down the Garden State.

Pedal Away– Ocean breezes, stunning views and plenty of places to stop along the way make Ocean City an excellent place to bike. Rent a cruiser bike (or bring your own) and ride the boards from 5 am to noon during the summer season. Team up with a friend on a tandem bike or rent a surrey for a fun family Get all the details on biking and more in OC here. Also, NJ has plenty of other places to bike when you feel like taking your two-wheels for a whirl.

Hello History– This summer, go back in time at the Ocean City Historical Museum. Learn about the town’s remarkable history from before its founding in 1879 to recent events. Explore heirlooms and memorabilia and hear stories of a princess and shipwrecks filled with treasure. And if history is your thing, you won’t want to miss these off-the-beaten-path historical sites in New Jersey.

Do The Twist– You know, two of your favorite soft-serve ice cream flavors twisted together. Or maybe it’s soft-serve on a waffle cone, a banana boat, a milkshake, or good old-fashioned scooped ice cream – with jimmies (or sprinkles!), of course. Places to try include: Kohr Brothers, oc GELATO, and Georges Ice Cream. Be inspired by more essential summer experiences throughout the state here.

Tune In– Take a listen and enjoy an exciting lineup of happenings on the boardwalk at the Music Pier. From crowd-pleasing concerts to amazing art shows, coastal photo ops and one-of-a-kind events, there’s always something new to see and do. Take a peek at these outdoor concert venues in NJ for entertaining ideas that’ll be music to your ears.

Be Reel– Saltwater anglers, get ready. There’s an ocean of off-shore and close-to-shore fishing and crabbing hot spots in this seaside town. Head out to one of the most popular locales, Corson’s Inlet State Park, to catch sea bass, bluefish, striper, launch your boat, kayak, hike and more. But don’t stop there. There are more things to do. You’re sure to love these cool places to kayak and canoe in Jersey too!

Get Showy– the Greater Ocean City Theatre Company delivers ovation-worthy live Broadway-style shows to summer audiences in Ocean City. And trust us, it’s a fun-for-the-entire-family experience you won’t want to miss. Click here for the current roster featuring everything from Grease to Charlotte’s Web - get showtimes too. See more fascinating performing arts taking center stage in New Jersey near you.

Upcoming Events

July 18 – Dining Out Jersey Foodie Expo (Paramus, Bergen County)
July 18 – 20 – Cape May County Fair (Cape May Courthouse, Cape May County)
July 19 – Galloway Green Market (Smithville, Atlantic County)
July 19 – Throwback Summer Opening Reception (West Windsor, Mercer County)
July 19 & 20 – Liberty State Park Water Lantern Festival (Jersey City, Hudson County)
July 20 – Whitesbog Blueberry Summer Fest (Browns Mills, Burlington County)
July 20 – Sparta Food Truck and Music Festival (Lafayette, Sussex County)
July 20 – Blueberry Festival (Pemberton, Burlington County)
July 20 – Orange Food Truck and Jazz Festival (Orange, Essex County)
July 20 – Night in Venice (Ocean City, Camden County)
July 20 – North Wildwood Christmas in July with Santa Claus (North Wildwood, Cape May County)
July 20 – Magical Mystery Doors Live in Concert (Newton, Sussex County)
July 20 & 21 – Laurita Winery’s July Food Truck Festival (New Egypt, Ocean County)
July 21 – Harvey Cedars Arts Festival (Harvey Cedars, Ocean County)
July 24 – 28 – Monmouth County Fair (Freehold, Monmouth County)

Tuesday Summer Farmers Markets

Sea Isle City Farmers’ Market
Now – August 27, Tuesdays 8 am  – 12 pm
Browse and shop a variety of local produce and vendors. Guests can grab a cup of coffee and check out more than 30 vendors before hitting the beach, making it the perfect Tuesday ritual.
Excursion Park, JFK Blvd. & Pleasure Ave, Sea Isle City, NJ

Hoboken Farmers’ Market
Now – Mid-November; Tuesdays 2 pm – 7 pm
The Hoboken Farmers’ Market was founded in June 1997 by a group of residents. Vendors vary from week to week, so be sure to check out their Vendors Page each week for the latest information.
4th and Garden St, Hoboken, NJ

Bayonne Farmers’ Market
Now – November, Tuesdays 2 pm – 7 pm
The Bayonne Farmers’ Market is helping to foster a sense of community by bringing farmers and local businesses together right in our neighborhood. The goal is to offer the community a wonderful variety of fresh and wholesome foods.
West 23rd Street and Broadway, Bayonne, NJ

Riverdale Farmers Market
Now – October; Tuesdays, 2:30 pm – 7 pm
Local food and wine, all Jersey Fresh! Open-air Farmer’s Market located at the beautiful Glenburn Estate.
211 Hamburg Tpke, Riverdale, NJ

Navigating Aging

• Can You Afford to Insure Your Retirement Dream? Insurers are bailing out of high-risk areas and raising premiums nationwide. Next Avenue

• The Overlooked Downsides of Aging in Place: Sooner or later, you will have to hire people to cook, clean and care for you as well as maintain, repair and remodel the house. Next Avenue

• Despite Past Storms’ Lessons, Long-Term Care Residents Again Left Powerless: Even after multiple massive power outages — including one from a 2021 winter storm in Texas that prompted a U.S. Senate investigation — little has changed for older Americans in senior living facilities when natural disasters strike. KFF Health News

Did you know?

The cultivated blueberry was first grown in New Jersey in 1916 by Elizabeth Coleman White in Burlington County. Farmers in the Garden State harvested 50 million pounds of blueberries on 10,800 acres last year. The blueberry season for New Jersey lasts through the end of July. During the height of blueberry season, production can be as high as 250,000-300,000 crates per day. Eating blueberries is beneficial to health as they are low in calories and high in nutrients. Go to www.FindJerseyFresh.com to see where Jersey Fresh blueberries are available locally and to find recipes. Here's one of our favorite blueberry recipes!

🫐 Grandma's Blueberry Muffins 🫐

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 🌾

• 3/4 cup white sugar 🍚

• 1/2 teaspoon salt 🧂

• 2 teaspoons baking powder 🥄

• 1/3 cup vegetable oil 🛢️

• 1 egg 🥚

• 1/3 cup milk 🥛

• 1 cup fresh blueberries 🫐

Topping:

• 1/2 cup white sugar 🍚

• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour 🌾

• 1/4 cup butter, cubed 🧈

• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 🌟

Instructions:

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a muffin tin with paper liners or grease the cups. 🔥

2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups flour, 3/4 cup sugar, salt, and baking powder. 🌾🍚🧂🥄

3. Combine Wet Ingredients: In a measuring cup, pour the vegetable oil. Add the egg and enough milk to fill the cup to the 1-cup mark. Mix this with the flour mixture. 🛢️🥚🥛

4. Fold in Blueberries: Gently fold in the blueberries. Be careful not to overmix. 🫐

5. Fill Muffin Cups: Fill the muffin cups right to the top for a big, bakery-style muffin. 🧁

6. Prepare Topping: For the crumb topping, mix together the 1/2 cup sugar, 1/3 cup flour, butter, and cinnamon with a fork until it resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle this over the muffins before baking. 🍚🌾🧈🌟

7. Bake: Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. 🕰️🔄

8. Cool: Let the muffins cool in the tin for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. 🌬️

Enjoy your delicious blueberry muffins! 🫐🧁😊

Today's birthdays

🎉🎂 Happy 91st Birthday, John Fauci of Westfield! 🎂🎉Wishing you a fabulous 91st birthday filled with joy, laughter, and love! 🎈🎁

A few other notable people sharing a birthday today with John include:

• Will Ferrell (born 1967) - American actor, comedian, producer, and writer, known for his work on "Saturday Night Live" and in films such as "Anchorman," "Elf," and "Step Brothers."

• Phoebe Cates (born 1963) - American actress known for her roles in films like "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" and "Gremlins."

• Corey Feldman (born 1971) - American actor and singer, famous for his roles in 1980s films such as "The Goonies," "Stand by Me," and "The Lost Boys."

😊Thanks for reading! See you tomorrow!