🏖️ Monmouth History: A company town built around iron. The Historic Village at Allaire was once the Howell Iron Works, a self-sufficient community with mills, shops, a bakery, a school, a church, a general store, and workers’ homes. Iron produced there was sent to New York and used to make parts for steam engines.

Tuesday Thought: “I have sometimes been wildly, despairingly, acutely miserable, but through it all I still know quite certainly that just to be alive is a grand thing.” —Agatha Christie

Today, September 22, is the Autumnal Equinox—better known as the first day of fall. The word comes from Latin words meaning "equal night," pointing to roughly equal periods of day and night. At 8:04 tonight, the center of the Sun will cross the celestial equator heading south, and we are officially in the season of pumpkin-spiced lattes. Happy Fall Y’all.

365> Monmouth County: Mail-in ballots for the Nov. 3 general election are now available. Registered voters can apply for and receive a ballot at the Clerk of Elections Office in Freehold; applications submitted by mail must arrive by Oct. 27. (More)

365> New Jersey: A milder winter with slightly less snow is predicted for the Atlantic Corridor in The Old Farmer’s Almanac’s 2026–27 winter outlook, while parts of the inland Northeast could see colder, snowier conditions. The coastal forecast calls for above-normal temperatures and below-normal precipitation, with potential snowy stretches from late November through late March. (More)

365> Belmar: The Town Council will meet tonight to consider infrastructure adjustments to manage unprecedented growth after a near-record summer of tourism. Rapid development, headlined by the 198-unit Mara by Vermella luxury complex being built near the Shark River bridge, has placed intense pressure on local parking, traffic, and resources. (More)

365> Aberdeen: Residents can submit questions through Wednesday, Sept. 23, for a virtual Township Council candidates’ forum taking place Sept. 30 at 7 pm. The League of Women Voters program features Matthew Braithwaite and Catherine Zavorskas; advance registration is required. (More)

365> Middletown: The township is testing a new AI-powered chatbot on middletownnj.org, and is asking for your help to evaluate it. Try out the chatbot by asking questions about township services. (Survey)

365> Heroes Among Us: In recognition of the 25th anniversary of September 11, over 600 Frank J. Dugan Elementary School students gathered in Marlboro to honor local first responders during the school's parade. (More)

365> The inaugural Foundation FunFest will take place on Saturday, Sept. 26, 10 am - 3 pm, at Ivy League Day Camp in Manalapan. The family-friendly community celebration supports local education across all eight MERS schools and will include a day of activities, entertainment, food trucks, vendors, and fundraising for educational programs for PK–8 students. (More)

365> Allentown High School’s FFA is selling fall flower bulbs through Oct. 16 to help students attend state and national events, including FFA conventions. Choices include tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths; orders placed through members avoid the shipping charge applied to online purchases. (More)

365> Colts Neck and Hazlet are two of the five townships in the state that will be honored this week with Silver Awards by the New Jersey Safe Routes to School Recognition Program for their commitment to creating safer, more accessible routes for students to get to school. (More)

365> Two Monmouth University leaders appear on the 2026 NJBIZ Education Power List, President Patrick F. Leahy represents the West Long Branch university for the seventh consecutive year, while Bruce Springsteen Center for American Music Executive Director Robert Santelli makes his first appearance. (See List)

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365> CAVA has opened its doors to the Eatontown community, expanding the Mediterranean fast-casual chain’s presence along the Jersey Shore. (More)

365> Toys R Us is opening 120 new standalone stores across the country ahead of the holiday season, its biggest brick-and-mortar expansion since filing for bankruptcy in 2017. There is currently a Toys R Us inside Macy’s at Freehold Mall. (More)

365> Red Bank’s Surf Taco reopened its renovated dining room after operating with takeout-only service during the summer. (More)

365> Construction has started at the former Sunoco Gas Station site at the corner of River Road and Cedar Avenue in Fair Haven. Closing in 2011 after two decades, a single mixed-use building will replace the service spot with a first-floor commercial space and two upper floors of residential units. (More)

365> SHO Asian Table in Red Bank is the only Monmouth County restaurant included in Jersey Bites’ New NJ Restaurants to Try This September. SHO features dishes drawing from Korean, Chinese, Japanese, and Southeast Asian cuisines. (See List)

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365> 110th Anniversary Celebration: Wednesday, Sept. 23, 4-6 pm, at the Avon Free Public Library in Avon-By-The-Sea for the presentation of a Pomeroy Foundation Hometown Heritage marker. (More) 

365> West End Farmers’ Market: Shop fresh produce and seasonal finds on Thursday, Sept. 24, 9 am - 3 pm, in Long Branch. Bring a tote. (More)

365> Holmdel Library’s Thursday Game Day offers ongoing mahjongg and bridge open play at 9:30 am, with an upcoming session on Sept. 24. (More)

365> Shrek Movie Night: Friday, Sept. 25, 7:45 – 9:15 pm at the Lincroft Village Green. Bring marshmallows to roast. (More)

365> Loyalty’s second annual Hot Rod Spectacular takes place at Saint Mary, Mother of God Church in Middletown on Saturday, Sept. 26, from 10 am - 4 pm. The show features dragsters, a muffler rap showdown, an Adam West-style Batmobile, and entertainment from Hot Rod Mike and Living Proof. (More)

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