🏖️ New Jersey History: On Oct. 28, 1955, the Garden State Parkway’s northbound lanes around Cape May opened to traffic. Construction continued into 1956, when the Great Egg Harbor Bay Bridge opened.

Wednesday Wisdom: “I just think a big smile and feeling confident makes you beautiful.” —Maye Musk

Today’s Must Read: Raising Cane's tops the drive-thru rankings for food quality for the second consecutive year, earning a 99% score. The study evaluated 13 major fast-food chains through 2,145 mystery-shop visits nationwide, measuring food quality, order accuracy, speed, and customer satisfaction. Chick-fil-A followed closely with a 98% food-quality score. (More)

In Memoriam: Susan Saint James, who co-starred with Rock Hudson in the 1970s TV crime series McMillan & Wife and the sitcom Kate & Allie in the 1980s, has died. She was 80. (More)

365> Red Bank: Dorothea Bongiovi will receive Monmouth Arts’ Outstanding Community Service Award at its Oct. 29 gala at Asbury Lanes. The JBJ Soul Kitchen cofounder and program director is being recognized for her work addressing food insecurity through the pay-it-forward community restaurant, which began in 2011. (More)

365> Colts Neck: The Planning Board will hold a public hearing on the draft 2026 Master Plan Reexamination Report on Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 7 pm at Town Hall. The draft is available on the township’s website for residents to review beforehand. (More)

365> Manalapan: Rising Stars School of Dance and Performing Arts has marked 40 years in business. Monmouth County commissioners recognized the studio’s September anniversary through the county’s Open for Business initiative. (More)

365> Bradley Beach: Seasonal beach badges will rise from $90 to $100 for summer 2027, with junior badges for ages 13-15 and senior badges for ages 65 and older increasing to $40. Early sales will offer adult seasonal badges for $80 in December and $90 in January. (More)

365> Howell: Residents and community organizations can propose projects using the township’s opioid-settlement funds. Ideas may address substance-use prevention, early intervention, treatment, recovery, and related mental-health needs. (More)

365> The Hardware Store of Asbury Park is preparing to close after approximately 40 years. A final business date has not been confirmed. (More)

365> Beach Bee Meadery in Long Branch plans to close at the end of 2026. The cider and mead business announced its decision without specifying a final day. (More)

365> Greens Natural Foods permanently closed its doors on Route 35 in Ocean Township. The location formerly housed Dean’s, which opened in 1996. In 2022, it became Green’s. (More)

365> Mutiny Beach in Asbury Park has closed after two summer seasons inside Convention Hall. The original Mutiny BBQ Company restaurant remains open, and the former beachfront space is expected to host pop-ups and special events. (More)

365> Kimchi Mama plans to close its Asbury Park restaurant on Nov. 25 and relocate to North Brunswick in Middlesex County. An opening date for the new location has not been announced. (More)

365> Jersey Shore musician Karen Mansfield turns a family musical tradition into Baby’s Birthday, a children’s picture book due Oct. 29. Her family had sung the song for more than 70 years, believing her grandmother wrote it, until Mansfield discovered its original sheet music while working in Brookdale Community College’s music department. (More)

365> Asha Frost discusses You Are the Medicine in a virtual Middletown Township Public Library program on Tuesday, Nov. 3, at 2 pm. Register for the viewing link. (More)

365> Classically Unread Book Club discusses Shirley Jackson’s The Haunting of Hill House at Asbury Book Cooperative in Asbury Park on Thursday, Nov. 5, from 7-8:30 pm. The ongoing club welcomes all readers. (More)

365> Judy Blume’s In the Unlikely Event is Middletown Township Public Library’s New Jersey Book Club selection on Monday, Nov. 9, at noon. Attend in the History Room or register for Zoom. (More)

365> Gina M. Miele will discuss Italian Folklore with Joyce Virani at Crazy Story Books in Red Bank on Friday, Nov. 20. The store’s calendar includes the event’s signup link. (More)

365> Brad Talks featuring Bradley Beach Police Department Handlers and their K9s. Learn about K9s Liga, Rico, and Robbie, their roles in community, public safety, and crime prevention, on Thursday, Oct. 29, 6 pm at the Bradley Beach Fire Hall. (More)

365> Bring on the Funk! Where the Arts Get Down is Monmouth Arts’ annual fundraising gala at Asbury Lanes in Asbury Park on Thursday, Oct. 29, from 7-10 pm. Performers include Des and the Swagmatics, with proceeds supporting countywide arts programming. (More)

365> Haunted History of Monmouth County brings historian and paranormal investigator Greg Caggiano to Red Bank Public Library on Thursday, Oct. 29, from 6-7:30 pm. The talk explores local historic sites, reported hauntings, and the Jersey Devil. (More)

365> Asbury Park PorchFest has been rescheduled for Saturday, Oct. 31, from noon-6 pm. The neighborhood music festival’s rain date is Nov. 7. (More)

365> FEAST, Monmouth Arts’ annual member exhibition, remains on view at The Oyster Point Hotel in Red Bank through Nov. 2. Admission is free and open to the public. (More)

365> Draw & Discover offers beginner charcoal drawing with Jenny Santa Maria at Middletown Township Public Library on Thursday, Nov. 5, at 6 pm. Adult registration is required, and materials are provided. (More)