Heat wave headed toward New Jersey

It’s Monday, New Jersey!

It’s also the start of a heat wave expected to bring dangerously hot temperatures to the Northeast. The National Weather Service says the heat will ramp up in the center of the country before spreading eastward, with some areas likely to see extreme heat reaching daily records, including New Jersey. People are encouraged to stay in air-conditioned spaces, drink plenty of water and check on neighbors and relatives who might be vulnerable.

😎Weather: Mostly sunny, high 86.

👀What’s on tap today:

• Morris County resident honored at D-Day ceremony

• Hearing on senior services this week

• Northwest cherries are now in season; try our favorite pie recipe

Up first…

D-Day veteran honored

The Morris County Commissioners salute World War II veteran Chester “Chet” Kochan of Hanover Township who was honored earlier this month in Normandy by French President Emmanuel Macron and U.S. President Joseph Biden on the 80^th  anniversary of D-Day. He was one of four New Jersey natives among 48 American WWII veterans at the ceremony.

Drafted in 1943, Kochan served with the U.S. Army’s 83^rd  Infantry Division. He was awarded the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, two campaign stars for Normandy and Northern France, Combat Infantry Badge, Good Conduct, WWII Victory Medal, Morris County Distinguished Service Medal and the Legion of Honor, bestowed by the French Government.

“On behalf of Morris County, we thank Chet Kochan and all the members of our military who selflessly answered our nation’s call, and who on D-Day and throughout the Normandy campaign put themselves in harm’s way to protect the United States, Europe and the world with courage and determination,” said County Commissioner John Krickus, U.S. Marine Corps Veteran.

Kochan, who is 98 years old, was only 18 when he landed on Omaha Beach and began fighting what was known as Hedgerow Country. He was shot and then injured by German shrapnel. Captured by the Germans in Saint-Malo, France, he was eventually exchanged for a German soldier. Despite being wounded and captured, Kochan stayed in the army as he had not earned enough points to be discharged. On June 6, 1944, after almost five years of war, Allied forces under the overall command of General Dwight D. Eisenhower landed on the beaches of Hitler’s Fortress Europe.

Paratroopers and glider-borne infantry were the first to touch French soil in the early morning on the eastern and western flanks of the invasion area. Several hours later, as the sun began to rise, an enormous armada of ships disembarked a cargo of fighting men onto five beaches across a 50-mile front of the Normandy coastline. By day’s end, 156,000 troops had landed and a tentative, but strengthening beachhead was established. A door in Hitler’s much-vaunted “Atlantic Wall” had been kicked open.

Public hearing on senior services this week

The Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners and the Monmouth County Division on Aging, Disabilities & Veterans Services will host a public hearing session for county residents to obtain information and provide comments on the services provided to Monmouth County’s older adults on Thursday, June 20, at 1 p.m. at the Neptune Senior Center, located at 1607 Corlies Ave.

“The Board of County Commissioners would like to welcome residents seeking information about services provided by the Division on Aging, Disabilities & Veteran Services, as well as give feedback to the Division on how they may better serve our residents,” said Commissioner Director Thomas A. Arnone. “Additionally, this hearing will provide information about programs funded by the Older Americans Act and other related funding.”

“Monmouth County is committed to providing important services and resources to our seniors and this hearing is a fantastic opportunity for our residents to learn more about the vital work being performed by the Division,” said Commissioner Susan M. Kiley, liaison to the Division on Aging, Disabilities & Veterans Services. “Anyone interested in submitting a written testimony can do so at the hearing or mail it to the attention of Michele O’Shaughnessy, Director of the Monmouth County Division on Aging, Disabilities & Veterans Services at 3000 Kozloski Road, Freehold, NJ 07728.”

For more information about the public hearing, call the Monmouth County Division on Aging, Disabilities & Veterans Services at 732-431-7450. The deadline to submit any written testimony is June 12, 2024. To learn more about the Division on Aging, Disabilities & Veterans Services, go to www.visitmonmouth.com

Master Gardeners certified

The Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Morris County certified 16 Morris County residents as “Master Gardeners” and honored two dozen others for their volunteer service during a graduation luncheon this week at the Frelinghuysen Arboretum in Morris Township. The event was led by Peter Nitzsche, department head of the county cooperative extension, and Jean Epiphan, an agriculture and natural resources county agent.

Certified Rutgers Master Gardeners of Morris County are volunteers trained to diagnose plant and pest problems, suggest cultural practices, and provide gardening advice to Morris County residents. Participants in the program receive in-depth training in gardening and horticulture from Rutgers University faculty and staff and must complete 60 volunteer hours to earn their certification.The program, run in partnership with the Morris County Park Commission, starts every fall.

“We are proud of the graduates, honorees and all the Rutgers Master Gardeners who volunteer their time and expertise on projects benefitting the citizens of Morris County!” said Nitzsche.

The Rutgers Cooperative Extension also offers speakers on topics such as lawn renovation, pest control, and pollinator gardens. For more information on how to become a master gardener, visit the Rutgers Cooperative Extension website.

It’s cherry season!

The harvest of Northwest-grown sweet cherries has begun, which means a new crop of this superfruit will start appearing in produce sections nationwide. Northwest sweet cherries are more than a treat. Sweet cherries are a natural source of antioxidants, including anthocyanins that give the fruit a vibrant red hue and the anti-inflammatory benefit linked to cancer-fighting properties, cardiovascular health, pain reduction and more. Sweet cherries, containing vitamin C, support the immune system and keep skin glowing. Studies have also shown sweet cherries are a source of potassium, which can help maintain healthy blood pressure levels.   

“Of the bountiful selection ranging from tomatoes to peaches, the summer arrival of sweet Northwest cherries is what I look forward to the most,” said Kelly Pritchett, Ph.D., RDN, CSSD, associate professor at Central Washington University. “Sweet cherries are as tasty as they are healthy and offer an abundance of health benefits that range from supporting the immune system to helping manage blood pressure, weight and sleep.”

Sweet cherries are a versatile, fresh fruit. During the summer, consumers can enjoy them fresh by the handful, in a smoothie or incorporated into various recipes. Plus, the health benefits of Northwest-grown sweet cherries can be tapped year-round, and now is also the time to stock up and preserve them for the holidays and any time of year. Sweet cherries can be frozen, dried, canned or even pickled.

Try our favorite recipe for Northwest Sweet Cherry Pie.

TODAY IN HISTORY

• Arrival of the Statue of Liberty (1885): The iconic statue, a gift from France to the United States, arrived in New York Harbor on June 17, 1885. It was meant to commemorate the centennial of the American Declaration of Independence and symbolizes freedom and democracy.

• Watergate Scandal (1972): Five men were arrested for breaking into the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate complex in Washington, D.C. This event eventually led to the resignation of President Richard Nixon.

• O.J. Simpson’s Police Chase (1994): Former football star O.J. Simpson led police on a low-speed chase in a white Ford Bronco, which was broadcast live on television. The event occurred after he was charged with the murders of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman.

TODAY’S BIRTHDAYS

🎉🎂 Happy 84th Birthday, Ed Moran! 🎂🎉 Wishing you a fantastic day filled with joy, laughter, and all the things you love. 🎈🥳 May your special day be as wonderful as you are, and may the year ahead bring you health, happiness, and many more cherished moments. 🎁🎉 Cheers to you, Ed! 🥂🎉

A few other notable people sharing the spotlight today with Ed include singer Barry Manilow, 81, comedian Joe Piscopo, 73, actor Greg Kinnear, 60, Olympic gold medal speed skater Dan Jansen, 59, and tennis player Venus Williams, 44.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

UPCOMING EVENTS

June 17 – Downtown Wildwood Fitness in the Plaza Opening Day (Wildwood, Cape May County)
June 17 – 23 – The North To Shore Jersey festival (Asbury Park, Monmouth County)
June 20 – 23 – Barefoot Country Music Fest (Wildwood, Cape May County)
June 20 – 30 – State Fair Meadowlands (East Rutherford, Bergen County)
June 21 – The Haddon Township Summer Solstice Music Festival (Haddon Twp, Camden County)
June 21  – Concerts on the Beach in Somers Point (Somers Point, Atlantic County)
June 22 – Taco Palooza (Hopatcong, Morris County)
June 22  – Bayonne Juneteenth Festival (Bayonne, Hudson County)
June 22 – NJBA Battleship Beer Fest (Camden, Camden County)
June 22 – Downtown After Sundown (South Orange, Essex County)
June 22 – 13th Annual Taste of Highlands (Highlands, Monmouth County)
June 22 & 23 – Blues, Wine, and BBQ (Mullica Hill, Gloucester County)
June 22 & 23 – Fantasy Faire (Millville, Cumberland County)
June 23 – Clark’s Rock The Block Street Fair (Clark, Union County)
June 23 – Montclair Film’s Annual FREE Movie Night Under The Stars (Montclair, Essex County)
June 23 – Kiefer Sutherland Live in Concert (Newton, Sussex County)
June 23 – Brubeck Brothers Quartet (Newton, Sussex County)