🏖️ Monmouth History: On Oct. 23, 1954, the Garden State Parkway’s grand-opening celebration took place at Telegraph Hill near Holmdel. Gov. Robert Meyner and former Gov. Alfred Driscoll presided, and more than 3,000 guests received box lunches afterward.

Today is National Boston Cream Pie Day. The legend of Boston Cream Pie was born in 1856 at Boston’s famous Parker House Hotel. There, French chef Monsieur Augustine Francois Anezin created a masterpiece by layering two rounds of golden sponge cake with a thick, velvety vanilla custard. To finish, he draped the entire creation in a rich, glossy chocolate glaze. Yum!

Today’s Must Read: The Menopause Workout Is in: More Fitness Classes Are Addressing Midlife Changes—Here Are 5 Areas to Prioritize. (More)

In Memoriam: Actor Tom Skerritt, 93, died on Oct. 21 of natural causes. He is best known for his roles in Picket Fences, Top Gun, and Alien. My personal favorite role he played was Drum Eatenton in Steel Magnolias, the caring and irreverent father of Shelby (played by Julia Roberts) and husband to M'Lynn (played by Sally Field). May he rest easy. (More)

365> Wall: John Tobia resigned as township administrator. The Township Committee accepted his resignation with no replacement appointed. (More)

365> Long Branch: The city was awarded a $500,000 Open Space Grant to fund significant improvements at Manahassett Creek Park. (See Details)

365> Avon-by-the-Sea: Commissioners introduced a $359,750 bond ordinance to fund the borough’s share of repairs to Sylvan Lake’s deteriorating sluice gate, a joint project with Bradley Beach. A public hearing and final vote are scheduled for Monday, Oct. 26, at 5 pm. (More)

365> Middletown: The MVC’s mobile unit will visit the Middletown Municipal Building on Wednesday, Oct. 28, from 9 am - 2 pm. Services include REAL ID, license and non-driver ID renewals, and vehicle-registration services. Appointments are required. (More)

365> Asbury Park: Residents can help shape the city’s Master Plan at drop-in meetings at City Hall on Wednesday, Nov. 4, and Thursday, Nov. 12, from 6-7:30 pm. Topics include housing, open space, transportation, and development. An online survey is also available. (More)

365> Long Branch: The city appears in Travel + Leisure’s nine beach-living recommendations as the only New Jersey selection. (See List)

365> The New Jersey Hall of Fame in East Rutherford at American Dream is offering $2 admission through Sunday, Nov. 1, as part of its ongoing second-anniversary promotion. Purchase the discounted admission upon arrival. (More)

365> Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson will reopen its reimagined Holiday in the Park on Saturday, Nov. 21, with a season-passholder preview Nov. 20. New themed areas include a coastal Christmas setting with lighted palm trees, a candy-themed Sweet Street, and Santa’s Arctic North Pole. (More)

365> Bass Pro Shops, under construction in Sayreville in Middlesex County, will include an on-site restaurant and 120 additional hospitality jobs. An opening date has not been set. (More)

365> Flowers threatened by the recent nor’easter ended up brightening patient rooms instead. Dr. Raisa Bakshiyev collected bouquets from Moonshot Farm in East Windsor and delivered them to JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute in Edison. (More)

365> Rutgers University will host New Jersey’s new Social Media Research Center, supported by a $500,000 state grant. Researchers will study social media’s effects on children, examine addictive features, and develop training for parents, teens, and educators. (More)

365> Navesink Magic Academy turns Red Bank Public Library into a fictional magic school on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 10:30 am - 1:30 pm. The all-ages Halloween party includes crafts, snacks, games, and sorting into six school houses. Hats and robes are encouraged. (More)

365> Asbury Park Halloween Food Truck & Music Festival takes over Bradley Park on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 24-25, beginning at 11 am each day. The weekend includes food trucks, live bands, costume contests for children and adults, a shopping village, and kids’ activities. (More)

365> Spring Lake Heights Fall Festival takes place at Joseph E. Robertson Park on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 10 am - 4 pm, with food trucks, artisan vendors, inflatables, a petting zoo, and a pumpkin patch. Return at 7 pm for an outdoor screening of E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. (More)

365> Squantoberfest returns to Squan Plaza in Manasquan on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 10 am - 4 pm. Shop the craft market, food by Joe Leone’s, and a beer tent by the Committed Pig. The rain date is Sunday, Oct. 25. (More)

365> Belmar Fall Spooktacular at Pyanoe Plaza on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 11 am - 5 pm with food, vendors, a beer tent, live music, a Trunk or Treat, and kids’ activities. Wear your costume. (More)