On this day in 1778, General George Washington directed his troops to clean themselves, appear in their best condition, and gather that evening at 7 p.m. for a public thanksgiving service to thank God for the victory won at the Battle of Monmouth. The public thanksgiving took place between Freehold and Englishtown.

We’re always looking for the next great place to eat, so today’s edition shares some spots we think you might enjoy. JerseyBites released its list of the best restaurants in Monmouth County for 2026. Do you agree with its picks? Have a favorite not included? Send us a note at [email protected] to share your opinion.

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Donovan’s Reef Beach Bar in Sea Bright was named by USA Today as one of the best beach bars in the country. Coming in at #5, it is the only Monmouth County bar to make the list and one of three New Jersey locations. You can see the full list here.

One of the few Jersey Shore bars where you can drink on the sand, this beloved fixture has been going strong since 1976 and has earned spots on multiple "best beach bars in America" lists.

An expert panel nominated 20 potential winners, and then readers voted for their favorites. Also included in the ranking are Harry’s Ocean Bar & Grille in Cape May (No. 10), and the PigDog Beach Bar in Wildwood (No. 3). The Bungalow Bar in Rockaway Beach, New York, took the top spot.

365> Long Branch: Mayor John Pallone and members of the City Council will be sworn in during a ceremony on Wednesday, July 1, at 3:30 pm at City Hall. Pallone was re-elected unopposed in the 2026 municipal election, securing another four-year term after first taking office on May 8, 2018. (More)

365> Monmouth: The Monmouth Park Charity Fund Winners Circle Society met at the Deal Country Club to welcome new members and recap the transformative grant that supported the Parker Family Health Center's new state-of-the-art Dental Clinic, which provides free dental care. (More)

365> The Asbury Park Concert Band will be back at the Arthur Pryor Band Shell on the boardwalk for its 81st season of free, weekly concerts starting Tuesday, July 7 at 7 pm. (More)

365> Red Bank: Plans continue moving forward for the redevelopment of the train station property, with groundbreaking now expected in 2027. The project includes mixed-use development intended to modernize the station area and encourage transit-oriented growth. (More)

365> Tinton Falls: The MedStar emergency medical services program expanded with a new regional headquarters on the former Fort Monmouth property. Two dedicated classrooms will support certification programs, continuing education, and professional development for EMS personnel across the county. (More)

365> Boardwalk Bandit, Bradley Beach: A sandwich shop that specializes in large bites, porkroll on funnel cake, and homemade sodas. (More)

365> Little Andy’s Burgers, Asbury Park: A popular New Jersey pop-up burger concept launched a food truck at the Food Collective. Little Andy’s serves smashburgers and fries for pickup. (More)

365> Coastal Canteen, Manasquan: A new coastal-inspired tavern opened on Main Street that features globally influenced dishes, craft cocktails, rooftop dining, and a relaxed shore atmosphere. The concept comes from Jersey Shore Restaurant Group, the team behind Half Moon Point and Harpoon Willy’s. (More)

365> Numa Modern Mediterranean Kitchen & Bar, Shrewsbury: A new upscale Mediterranean restaurant at The Grove that brings a modern, refined dining experience with a menu centered around bold flavors, fresh ingredients, craft cocktails, and polished service. (More)

365> Apéro Steakhouse, Oceanport: The new French steakhouse opened in April, bringing premium aged steaks, classic French technique, and a polished dining experience to Monmouth County. (More)

365> Asbury Park public schools will receive $100,000 in state funding to expand intensive tutoring in reading and math next school year, part of a wider round of grants steered toward New Jersey districts where students are struggling most to hit grade-level benchmarks. (More)

365> Three Monmouth County restaurants landed on JerseyBites' list of the Best Brunch Spots in New Jersey: Toast in Asbury Park, Avenue in Long Branch, and Toast City Diner in Manalapan. (More)

That’s 6 sales in 7 months. 29 all time. And the performance?

16.5%, 17.6%, and 17.8%, net annualized returns on sold works held longer than one year (See all 29 at Masterworks.com)

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^{*According to Masterworks data. Investing involves risk. Past performance is not indicative of future returns. See important Reg A disclosures at masterworks.com/cd.}

Will you to watch fireworks this week?

Yes: 53%
No: 42%
Haven’t decided: 5%