Prepare for hurricane season

Author

Better With Age NJ team
June 12, 2024 • Estimated Reading Time: 11 minutes

It's Wednesday, New Jersey!

☀️Weather: Mostly sunny, high 82.

👀What's on tap today:

  • Prepare for hurricane season

  • New Jersey residents wins $221 million Powerball jackpot

  • Many free events in Monmouth County parks this weekend

Up first...

🌀 Preparing for Hurricane Season

As New Jersey residents gear up for summer, it's crucial to also prepare for the hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to Nov. 30. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecasts an 85% chance of an above-average Atlantic hurricane season. Deputy Director of the Ocean County Board of Commissioners, Gary Quinn, stresses the importance of early preparation to mitigate distress when storms are predicted. The Ocean County Office of Emergency Management advises every household to assemble a disaster supply kit, including essentials like water, medications, non-perishable food, first aid supplies, dust masks, local maps, battery-powered radios, flashlights, and extra batteries. Detailed information on creating a supply kit is available at www.ready.gov/kit.

🐾 Pet Preparedness and Emergency Alerts

Ocean County Sheriff Michael G. Mastronardy highlights the need to include pets in emergency plans. Pet owners should prepare an animal disaster travel kit containing pet licenses, photos, vaccination records, veterinarian details, and necessary supplies like food, water, medications, and comfort items. Additionally, residents are encouraged to sign up for the county's emergency alert system for updates on emergencies, severe weather, and traffic information. To register, text "OCEANCOUNTY" to 67283. Accurate, up-to-date information is vital during emergencies, and this alert system ensures residents stay informed.

📋 Special Needs and Evacuation Plans

For those with disabilities or special needs, New Jersey offers the "Register Ready" system to ensure emergency responders are aware of specific requirements during disasters. Barbara Jo Crea, chairwoman of Senior Services, urges seniors and those with special needs to register at www.registerready.nj.gov. For assistance, potential registrants can call the Ocean County Office of Emergency Management at 732-341-3451. Sheriff Mastronardy also emphasizes the importance of planning evacuation strategies, such as arranging to stay with friends or relatives and knowing hotel policies on emergencies. In case of public shelter evacuation, bring essential items like blankets, cash, clothes, prescription drugs, infant supplies, and important documents. Early precautions and planning are key to ensuring safety during hurricane season.

New Jersey Strikes it Big Again 🎉

New Jersey Lottery Executive Director James Carey announced that the sole winning ticket for the $221 million Powerball jackpot on Monday, June 10, was sold in New Jersey. The estimated cash value of this jackpot is $104.7 million, making it the second-largest jackpot won in the state in 2024, following a $1.13 billion Mega Millions jackpot in March. The winning ticket was sold at Preet Food Mart in Lindenwold, Camden County, which will receive a $30,000 bonus commission. Carey urged the winner to sign the back of the ticket, make copies, and secure it safely. He also directed them to the Lottery's Winner’s Guide on NJLottery.com and to contact Lottery officials to claim the prize.

Winning Numbers and Other Prizes 🎟️

The winning numbers for the June 10 drawing were 03, 10, 33, 58, and 59, with the Red Power Ball number being 09 and the Power Play number 02. Along with the jackpot, 19,768 New Jersey players won an estimated total of $106,447 in prizes ranging from $4 to $200. This marks the fourth Powerball jackpot win in 2024, following five wins in 2023.

Jackpot Winners' Privacy and Legalities 🕵️‍♂️

New Jersey law allows lottery winners to remain anonymous indefinitely, protecting their identity from public records. However, winners claiming prizes over $600 must provide their identity to Lottery officials, and the Lottery is required to withhold state and federal taxes from certain prizes. Additionally, the identities of winners are shared with other state agencies to review claims for unpaid obligations such as child support, student loans, and back taxes. This recent win adds to New Jersey's history of large jackpots, including a $429.9 million Powerball jackpot in May 2016 and the unclaimed $1.13 billion Mega Millions jackpot from March 2024.

NJ Briefs

  • Battleship NJ set to return to Camden after dry dock: Here's how you can be aboard - for $3,000 per ticket.

  • Greenwood Lake Airshow returns for Father's Day weekend with expanded nighttime lineup.

  • FellowshipLIFE & CentraState Announce Definitive Agreement to Transfer Applewood Senior Community to FellowshipLIFE.

Free events in Monmouth County parks

🌻Sunshine, smiles, and zero spending? This weekend's FREE park events are calling your name!

  • Nature Lecture Series: Snapping Turtles of Monmouth County
    Thursday, June 13 from 7-8 p.m.
    Freneau Woods Park Visitor Center, Aberdeen
    Come to this talk by a Park System Naturalist and learn about our snapping turtle population including what they eat, how they mate, and how they got their unique name. FREE!

  • Concert in the Park: People, Places and Possibilities!
    Friday, June 14 from 7-8:30 p.m.
    Thompson Park Theater Barn, Lincroft
    Hear vocalist Altha Morton and the Sentimental Journey Big Band combine the past with the present. Bring your lawn chairs or blankets, food and soft drinks. The concert is outdoors; however, if the weather is inclement, the concert will be moved indoors. FREE!

  • Pre-WWII Auto Display
    Saturday, June 15 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
    Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold
    Antique automobiles dating 1941 and earlier will be on display. FREE!

  • Accordion Melodies of the 1890s
    Saturday, June 15 from 1-3 p.m.
    Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel
    Hear melodies of the 1890s played on the accordion during your visit. FREE!

  • Freshwater Fishing Derby
    Saturday, June 15 from 2-5 p.m.
    Manasquan Reservoir, Howell
    Sunday, June 16 from 2-5 p.m.
    Turkey Swamp Park, Freehold
    Each day starts with a free fishing clinic from 12:30-1:30 p.m. Prizes will be awarded for the longest fish in three different categories. Fishing pole rentals available on a first come, first served basis. Rental cost is $5 per pole. A container of worms is included with each registration. The cost is $28 per family of 4; $9 per person. Walk-ins are welcome; cash, check or credit card on site.

  • Bluegrass and Old-Time Music
    Sunday, June 16 from 12-5 p.m.
    Thompson Park Theater Barn, Lincroft – Outdoors
    The Bluegrass and Old-Time Music Association will meet under the trees for a jam session. Bring your own bass, banjo, fiddle, mandolin or guitar to join in, or just stop by and enjoy an afternoon of music. FREE!

  • Historic Battery Lewis Tours
    Saturdays & Sundays, June 15 & 16, 22 & 23 and 29 & 30 at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m.,
    1:30 p.m. & 2:30 p.m.
    Hartshorne Woods Park, Highlands – Use Rocky Point parking lot.
    Tour the restored Historic Battery Lewis and learn about the history of this important former coastal defense site. FREE!

  • Milling Demonstrations
    Saturdays & Sundays, June 15 & 16, 22 & 23 and 29 & 30 at 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m.,
    2:30 p.m. & 3:30 p.m.
    Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold
    See the 19th century gristmill grind corn into meal. Each demonstration lasts approximately 15 minutes. FREE!

  • Boat Tours of the Manasquan Reservoir
    Saturdays & Sundays, June 15 & 16, 22 & 23 and 29 & 30 at 2 p.m., 3 p.m., 4 p.m. & 5
    p.m.
    Friday, June 7 at 6 p.m. & 7 p.m.
    Manasquan Reservoir, Howell
    These 45-minute tours are narrated by Park System Naturalists and include opportunities to view local wildlife. The cost is $6 per adult and $4 per child, age 12 and under. Please call to confirm schedule as tours are both weather and water level dependent. All tours leave from the Visitor Center. Lifejackets required. Tickets can be purchased on day of tour only.

  • Seabrook-Wilson House Open
    Sundays, June 16, 23 & 30; Mondays, June 17 & 24; and Thursdays, June 13, 20 & 27
    from 1-4 p.m.
    Bayshore Waterfront Park, Port Monmouth
    Visit this house which dates back to the early 1700s and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and see displays on the ecology of the bay and local history. FREE!

  • Historic Portland Place Tours
    Wednesdays-Sundays, June 12-16, 19-23 and 26-30 at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. & 2:30 p.m.
    Historic Portland Place, Hartshorne Woods Park, Locust
    Tour this beautifully restored 18th century house with exhibits that help tell the story of the region’s history and the Hartshorne family legacy in Monmouth County. Tours are limited to 10 persons and may be suspended during severe weather conditions. Register on site at the Portland Place Visitor Center day of tour. FREE!

Thought for today

"You don’t stop laughing when you grow old, you grow old when you stop laughing." — George Bernard Shaw

Today in history

🗽Ellis Island, located in New York Harbor but partly within the territory of New Jersey, was at one time the primary immigration station for the United States. Millions of immigrants passed through its gates from 1892 to 1954, seeking new opportunities and a better life in America. On June 12, 1897, a fire destroyed the wooden buildings on Ellis Island, leading to the construction of new, fireproof facilities. The main immigration building, which is now a museum, was completed in December 1900. This event was a turning point, as the new facilities were built to handle the large influx of immigrants more efficiently and safely. The new Ellis Island facilities opened on December 17, 1900, and processed approximately 12 million immigrants over the next several decades. Ellis Island is now a symbol of America’s immigrant heritage and is part of the Statue of Liberty National Monument.

Today's birthdays

🎉🎂 Happy 78th Birthday, Allison Carr! 🎂🎉

Wishing you a day filled with joy, love, and laughter. May this special year bring you health, happiness, and all the things you love. Enjoy your celebration in Kenilworth! 🎈🌟💖

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