Sip and Savor: New Jersey’s Top Spots for Hot Chocolate Bliss

It’s Wednesday, New Jersey!

Weather: Mostly sunny, with a high near 30. Wind chill values between 5 and 15. Stay bundled up and cozy, folks! 🧣🧤❄️ Make sure to layer up and keep warm! ⛄🔥

What’s on tap today:

1. Cozy Spots for Hot Chocolate in New Jersey: Discover the best local spots in New Jersey to enjoy a warm, delicious cup of hot chocolate this winter.

2. Property Tax Relief Program for Seniors: New Jersey introduces a property tax relief program to help senior citizens reduce their financial burdens.

3. One-Pot Soup Recipe: A simple and hearty one-pot soup recipe perfect for warming up on cold days.

Up first…

Sip and Savor: New Jersey’s Top Spots for Hot Chocolate Bliss
While National Hot Chocolate Day falls on January 31st, there’s no need to wait for a special occasion to enjoy this sweet treat in New Jersey. Whether you prefer your cocoa rich and classic, topped with fluffy homemade marshmallows, or infused with a hint of peppermint, the Garden State has plenty of cozy options. Ready to find your favorite cup? Here are some local spots guaranteed to keep you warm this winter. 

Did you know?

Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) offer seniors aged 55 and older a lifeline of medical and social services designed to help them maintain independence while delaying or avoiding nursing home care. With personalized support from a dedicated team of professionals, PACE participants receive care both in community-based centers and at home.

To be eligible, individuals must:

• Be 55 or older.

• Require a nursing home level of care.

• Be able to live safely in the community at enrollment with the support of PACE.

• Reside within a PACE organization’s service area.

PACE allows participants the freedom to leave the program at any time. For more information, visit PACE Services in New Jersey.

Upcoming events in New Jersey: Jan. 24 – 31 🎉🗓️

January 24 – 26:
🎣 The Fly Fishing Show (Edison, Middlesex County)
🎭 The Clean House at the Kelsey Theatre (West Windsor, Mercer County)

January 25:
🎶 New Jersey Symphony: Lunar New Year Celebration with Xian Zhang (Newark, Essex County)
❄️🔥 Fire and Ice Festival (Mt. Holly, Burlington County)
🌱 35th Annual NOFA-NJ Winter Conference (Asbury Park, Monmouth County)
🐉🎉 Chinese New Year Celebration at MarketFair (Princeton, Mercer County)
🎤 Princeton Triangle Club Presents Pageant Pending (Millburn, Essex County)
🎨🐉 Lunar New Year Celebration at the Montclair Museum (Montclair, Essex County)

January 25 & 26:
🕰️ WheatonArts Mid-Winter Antique Show (Millville, Cumberland County)
🦸‍♂️📚 Garden State Comic Fest (Augusta, Sussex County)
💃🎼 Legally Blonde: The Musical (Glen Gardner, Hunterdon County)

January 26:
🐉🎭 Lunar Fest NJ (Maplewood, Essex County)
🍎🎉 Wassailing the Apple Trees (Princeton, Mercer County)
🕵️‍♀️🍷 Murder Mystery at Four Sisters Winery (Belvidere, Warren County)
🌟🥬 Montclair Farmers Market (Montclair, Essex County)
🥗🎶 Winter FRESH (Ocean Grove, Monmouth County)

January 31:
🍴🌊 LBI Restaurant Week (LBI, Ocean County)
🍲🎉 Holy Trinity 17th Annual Winter Feast (Egg Harbor Twp, Atlantic County)
🍑🎭 James and the Giant Peach at the Kelsey Theatre (West Windsor, Mercer County)

📌 Mark your calendars and enjoy these exciting events across the Garden State!

N.J.’s property tax relief program helps seniors stay in their homes

For many seniors in New Jersey, the dream of aging in place has become increasingly difficult due to rising property taxes. However, a new state program is providing much-needed relief to older homeowners, helping them remain in their homes and communities.

What Is the program?

The “Stay NJ” property tax relief program, recently introduced by state lawmakers, aims to ease the financial burden for residents aged 65 and older. Eligible seniors can receive significant tax credits or rebates, reducing their annual property tax bills by as much as $6,500. This program is part of a broader initiative to address affordability issues in the Garden State, where property taxes are among the highest in the nation.

Who qualifies?

To benefit from the program, seniors must meet the following criteria:

• Be at least 65 years old.

• Own and reside in their primary home in New Jersey.

• Have a household income below the set threshold ($150,000 annually, as of the latest guidelines).

• Be current on property tax payments.

• How to Apply

  The application process is straightforward. Seniors can apply online through the state’s Division of Taxation website or request paper forms by calling a dedicated hotline. Local senior centers and libraries also offer assistance to those needing help with the application.

  The bigger picture

  The Stay NJ program reflects a growing recognition of the challenges facing New Jersey’s aging population. By reducing property tax burdens, the state aims to keep communities intact and ensure that seniors can live independently for as long as possible.

  Need more information?

  To learn more about the Stay NJ program, visit the New Jersey Division of Taxation website or contact their hotline at 1-800-123-4567. Assistance is also available through local senior resource centers.

  This initiative is one of many efforts to support older residents and ensure that New Jersey remains a welcoming place to call home for all generations.

Simplify dinner with a one-pot soup

(Family Features) After a busy season of groups and gatherings, sometimes a new year calls for easy, filling meals you can enjoy with your nearest and dearest. Warm, hearty Meatball Tortellini Soup can do just that as a delicious one-pot solution. Visit Culinary.net to find more warming winter recipes.

Meatball Tortellini Soup

Recipe courtesy of "Cookin' Savvy"
Servings: 6-8

• 4 cups beef broth

• 1 can (14 ounces) diced tomatoes

• 16 ounces frozen meatballs

• 19 ounces tortellini

• 6 ounces frozen spinach

• 1 tablespoon onion powder

• 1 tablespoon garlic powder

• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning

• 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese, plus additional for serving, divided

• salt, to taste

• pepper, to taste

• 1/4 cup heavy cream

• bread, for serving

1. In Dutch oven, pour in beef broth and diced tomatoes. Fill empty diced tomatoes can with water and add to pot. Stir in meatballs, tortellini and spinach. Cook over medium heat then add onion powder, garlic powder, Italian seasoning and 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese. Add salt and pepper, to taste.

2. Cook 25 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add heavy cream and cook 5 minutes.

3. Serve with bread and additional Parmesan cheese.

New Jersey history book

On January 21, 1777, the Battle of Millstone took place near Bound Brook in Somerset County. American forces under Brigadier General Philemon Dickinson surprised and defeated British and Hessian troops, disrupting their attempts to advance into New Jersey.

Today’s birthdays

Happy Birthday, Henry Yates of Red Bank! 🎉🎂 Wishing you a day filled with joy, laughter, and all your favorite things! 🎈🎁 Enjoy every moment! 😊🎉A few other notable people born on this day along with Henry include:

1. Paul Newman (1925-2008) – Iconic American actor, director, and philanthropist known for films like Cool Hand Luke and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.

2. John F. Kennedy Jr. (1960-1999) – American lawyer, journalist, and son of President John F. Kennedy.

3. Diane Lane (1965-) – Acclaimed American actress known for her roles in Under the Tuscan Sun and The Perfect Storm.

4. Lord Byron (1788-1824) – Famous English poet and leading figure of the Romantic movement.

5. Tommy Mottola (1949-) – American music executive and former CEO of Sony Music, known for discovering artists like Mariah Carey.

Thanks for reading! Shout-out to New Jersey's cozy spots serving up delicious hot chocolate ☕️🍫 – perfect for warming up this winter! ❄️🎉

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See you next week! Stay cozy, everyone! 🧣🧤🎉