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😓Coming This Summer: Bigger Electric Bills!

Starting this week, brace yourself for electric bills that are about 17% to 20% higher—because apparently, sweating over rising food bills and other costs wasn’t enough. Depending on where you live in New Jersey, your wallet might feel the burn more than others. On the bright side (if you squint), there’s several assistance programs available, including the Universal Service Fund, PAGE, Lifeline, and more. And if you're worried about winter shutoffs, there's a program for that too—though you'll still have to survive the summer price hike first. Full details, acronyms, and fine print are available at the NJ Board of Public Utilities website.

🗳️ Board of Elections Offers Extended Hours for Mail-In Ballots

If you’re voting by mail in the June Primary Election, take note: The Monmouth County Board of Elections is offering extended hours to accept hand-delivered mail-in ballots at the Special Services Complex (side entrance), 300 Halls Mill Road, Freehold:

• Friday, June 6 – 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

• Saturday, June 7 – 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Additionally, the Board will meet on Wednesday, June 4, from 5–7 p.m. to review challenges to mail-in ballots. Authorized challengers must submit documentation by 4 p.m. on Tuesday, June 3.

📞 Questions? Contact the Monmouth County Board of Elections at 732-431-7802, ext. 7150.

📱 New App Offers Support for Alzheimer’s Patients and Caregivers

The Alzheimer’s Association has launched a free mobile app designed to help individuals newly diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, along with their caregivers. The app provides personalized care planning tools, educational resources, and quick access to support services—all in one convenient place. It’s an easy way to navigate the early stages of diagnosis and find help when you need it most.

📰 Learn more: Read the full article on Better With Age NJ »

🌸 Deep Cut Gardens Hosts Open House

MIDDLETOWN — Take in the beauty of Deep Cut Gardens during a special Open House on Saturday, June 7, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at 152 Red Hill Road, Middletown. This free event invites visitors to explore the gardens at their seasonal best, with plenty to see and do for all ages.

🌿 Highlights include:

• Bonsai demonstrations

• Pollinator and gardening crafts

• Greenhouse tours

• Koi pond presentations

• A lecture on native pollinator plants from 10 a.m.–12 p.m.

Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or simply enjoy a stroll among flowers, this is a wonderful opportunity to connect with nature and learn something new.

🧭 Admission and parking are free.

 Now Showing: ‘Natural Expressions’ at Thompson Park

Love nature? Love art? Don’t miss Natural Expressions, a stunning new exhibit at the Thompson Park Creative Arts Center in Lincroft! Featuring watercolor, wildlife photography, and ceramics by local artists Tracey C. Witter, Troy Bynum, and Pete MacConnell, this free show celebrates the beauty of the natural world.

🗓️ Opening reception: Friday, June 13, 5–7 p.m.
🎶 With live music by Joe Frame and light refreshments
🖼️ Exhibit runs through August 22
📍 Admission & parking are free!

🎶🎶Free Summer Concert Series at Thompson Park

LINCROFT, NJ — Get ready to enjoy live music in the great outdoors! The Monmouth County Park System is once again bringing the community together with its annual summer concert series at Thompson Park, located at 805 Newman Springs Road in Lincroft. These free concerts are open to all ages and offer the perfect way to spend a summer evening or afternoon with family and friends.

Unless otherwise noted, performances will be held at the Theater Barn within Thompson Park. Concertgoers are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets, and picnic baskets with food and soft drinks to fully enjoy these relaxing events. Here’s the schedule.

🎺 Colts Neck Community Band

Friday, June 6 at 7:30 p.m.
Enjoy a lively evening indoors at the Thompson Park Activity Barn with this talented community band performing everything from light classical pieces to Broadway show tunes and traditional marches.

🎷 Sentimental Journey Big Band Concert

Friday, June 13 from 7–8:30 p.m.
Step back in time with swing-era classics featuring vocalist Altha Morton, channeling legends like Ella Fitzgerald, Doris Day, and Patsy Cline. Hear favorites from Count Basie, Glenn Miller, and Duke Ellington. (Held outdoors; moved indoors if it rains.)

🎻 Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Jam Sessions

Sundays: June 15, July 20 & August 17 from 1–3 p.m.
Bring your banjo, guitar, or just your love for bluegrass! These casual jam sessions outside the Theater Barn are hosted by the Bluegrass and Old-Time Music Association of New Jersey.

🎸 Country Night with Austin City Nights

Friday, July 18 from 7–8:30 p.m.
Get ready for a high-energy show with modern country music and a touch of classic rock, led by powerhouse vocalists Lee Cancela and Kat Maranino. (Outdoors unless inclement weather moves it inside.)

🎤 Bring on the Funk with THE FUMOS

Friday, August 15 from 7–8:30 p.m.
Travel back to the '70s with this funky horn-heavy band that brings danceable soul, rock, jazz, and funk to life. (Concert is outdoors unless rain moves it indoors.)

🎼 American Classics: Weill, Gershwin, Bernstein in Concert

Saturday, August 23 from 7–8:30 p.m.
Celebrate iconic American composers with an unforgettable evening of Broadway and opera presented by Creative OPERAtions.

For more details, visit the Monmouth County Park System website or call 732-842-4000, ext. 4312. For TTY/TDD users, dial 711.

Monmouth County Freshwater Fishing Derby Returns!

HOWELL & FREEHOLD — Whether you’re a seasoned angler or just casting your first line, the Monmouth County Park System’s Freshwater Fishing Derby is a great way to enjoy the outdoors with family and friends.

🗓️ Saturday, June 14 – Manasquan Reservoir, Howell

• 🐟 Free Fishing Clinic: 12:30–1:30 p.m.

• 🎯 Fishing Derby: 2–5 p.m.

🗓️ Sunday, June 15 – Turkey Swamp Park, Freehold

• 🐟 Free Fishing Clinic: 12:30–1:30 p.m.

• 🎯 Fishing Derby: 2–5 p.m.

🏆 Prizes awarded each day for the longest catch in three categories!
🎣 Bring your own rod or rent one for $5.

💵 Cost: $28 per family of four, or $9 per person. Includes a container of worms!
📍 Pre-registration is encouraged.

For full details or to register, visit www.MonmouthCountyParks.com or call 732-842-4000.

🌟 Events This Week in Monmouth County!

🎉 Annual Bayshore Greek Fest
📅 June 4 – 8
📍 Kimisis Tis Theotokou Greek Orthodox Church, 20 Hillcrest Rd, Holmdel
Opa! Enjoy authentic Greek food, pastries, music, folk dancing, rides, games, and more. Free shuttle from St. Benedict’s Church.
Cost: Free entry

🎶 AsburyFest 2025
📅 June 6 – 8
📍 Bradley Park, Asbury Park
Kick off summer with food, drinks, shopping, and live music. Enjoy local brews, lobster rolls, empanadas, artisan crafts and more.
Cost: $5

🌿 Eco-Fest: Rally for Two Rivers
📅 June 7, 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM
📍 Victory Park, 1 Lafayette St, Rumson
Celebrate the Navesink and Shrewsbury Rivers with crafts, face painting, music, and hands-on eco-activities.
Cost: Free

🛍️ Ocean Grove Town-Wide Yard Sale
📅 June 7, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
📍 Ocean Grove
Over 60 yard sales in one charming seaside town. Walk or bike your way through a bargain hunter’s dream!
Cost: Free

🌸 Keyport Garden Walk
📅 June 7 & 8, 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
📍 Keyport
Explore lush private and public gardens, meet passionate gardeners, enjoy live music and art. A local favorite since 2012.
Cost: Free

🍀 Annual NJ Irish Festival
📅 June 8, 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
📍 Monmouth Park Racetrack, Oceanport
Live racing, Irish fare, dancing, vendors, and the crowd-favorite Human Horse Race!

🎶🌿🚣‍♂️ In The Parks This Weekend

Looking for something fun, free, and family-friendly to do this weekend? The Monmouth County Park System has a full lineup of events happening June 6–8 across the county!

🎺 Concert in the Park: Colts Neck Community Band
Friday, June 6 at 7:30 p.m.
Thompson Park Activity Barn, Lincroft
Enjoy an evening of light classical, marches, and Broadway favorites. Indoor seating or bring lawn chairs. FREE!

🧺 Basket Weaving Demonstrations
Friday–Sunday, June 6–8, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold
Visit the Penn/Jersey Basket Weaving Guild as they demonstrate the craft. FREE!

🔥 Cookstove Demonstration
Saturday, June 7, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel
Step into the 1890s kitchen and see what’s cooking on the woodstove. FREE!

🧵 Lacemaking Demonstration
Saturday, June 7, 1–3 p.m.
Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel
Watch crochet, bobbin, and shuttle lace techniques from the Victorian era. FREE!

🛶 Thompson Park Canoe Rentals
Saturday & Sunday, June 7–8 and 21–22, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Thompson Park, Lincroft
Canoes available on Marlu Lake. $15 per boat (1–3 people, 2 hours). Cash/check only. All equipment provided. Ages under 18 must be with an adult.

🧼 Victorian Laundry Demonstration
Sunday, June 8, 1–2:30 p.m.
Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel
Experience how laundry was done in the late 1800s. FREE!

🗺️ For more details, visit www.MonmouthCountyParks.com or call 732-842-4000.

🚗 Beyond Our Backyard

Events happening across New Jersey this week.

🎭 Princeton Festival
📅 June 6 – 21
📍 Morven Museum & Garden, Princeton
Experience opera, classical music, and more under a tented pavilion on the picturesque grounds of Morven. Enjoy pre-show picnicking and garden strolls.
Cost: Prices vary

🍓 West Cape May Strawberry Festival
📅 June 7, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
📍 Wilbraham Park, Perry Street, West Cape May
Celebrate all things strawberry with handmade crafts, art, vintage finds, local treats—and of course, plenty of strawberries!
Cost: Free

🎨 Rose Squared Celebrate Morristown Art Show
📅 June 7 & 8, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
📍 The Vail Mansion, 110 South St, Morristown
Over 65 artists showcase fine art and craft—from ceramics to painting to handmade jewelry—in a beautiful garden setting.
Cost: Free

🦁 Lions, Tigers & Beers Festival
📅 June 7 & 8
📍 Popcorn Park Animal Refuge, Forked River
Enjoy craft drinks, food trucks, raffles, animal encounters, and live music—two days of wild fun for a good cause.
Cost: $20–$140

🍷 Uncork Summer Wine Festival
📅 June 7 & 8, 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
📍 Red Mill Museum Village, Clinton
Sample wines from 10 NJ wineries, browse artisan vendors, enjoy live music, and explore the Red Mill Museum.
Cost: $25 advance / $30 at the gate (wine samplers); $10 spectator tickets

Polish Heritage Festival
📅 June 8, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
📍 Middlesex County Fairgrounds, East Brunswick
Enjoy traditional Polish food, cultural dance performances, kids’ activities, exhibits, and a vintage car show.
Cost: Free