Gatherings

Whether it’s at a fundraiser or a volunteering event, Monmouth residents always show up to support their friends and neighbors.

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LUNCH BREAK

Red Bank-based food pantry Lunch Break received a helping hand from the staff at Torcon in 7 Middletown. The volunteers spent the day in the kitchen, warehouse and food pantry, helping the nonprofit with its mission of food, clothing and life skills to residents in need. 4–5 Torcon staff members get ready for their day of volunteering at Lunch Break.

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MONMOUTH MEDICAL CENTER

Eric Carney, left, President and CEO of Monmouth Medical Center and Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus, and William E. Thygeson Jr., Chair of the Golf Committee for MMC, gather with the 2022 Land Rover Discovery Sport P250 on display at the hospital main entrance on April 29 to launch MMC Foundation’s annual car raffle. Valued at more than $53,000, the byron blue Land Rover with light oyster interior is the prize in the draw. All proceeds benefit programs and services at MMC. Tickets are $100 and there are only 2,000 tickets to be sold. For more information or to purchase a ticket, visit rwjbh.org/mmccarraffle or call the Foundation office at 732.923.6886. Tickets will also be available at MMC’s 2022 Golf Invitational in June. The draw will be held on Dec. 14 at MMC.

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BROOKDALE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Brookdale Community College honored distinguished retired employees who have more than 25 years of service and contribution to the school. 6 Brookdale President David M. Stout, Ron Sopenoff, Sally Sorrell, Paul Zigo, Sue Desiderato

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FREEHOLD POLICE DEPARTMENT

Thanks to the support of the community and Freehold Township Police Officer Maroslav Alfeldi who was born and raised in Ukraine, the department collected used law enforcement ballistic vests to be donated to Ukrainian military and civilian support. 7 The Freehold Police Department prepares the vests for donation.

CATSBURY PARK

Feline enthusiasts recently participated in Catsbury Park’s live Pet Portraits event to benefit the organization’s cat rescue initiatives. Asbury Park artists Erin Mauterer was on hand to sketch portraits of cute kitties for cat owners. 2 Mauterer works on a drawing. 3 Pet owners show off the completed work.

BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF MONMOUTH

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Monmouth County received a $5,000 donation from Food for Thought, an Asbury Park-based nonprofit that empowers local youth through culinary education. The funding will benefit the youth workforce development program. 8 Representatives from Boys & Girls Clubs and Food for Thought pose with the donation check.

Be There

In-person events are back in full swing! Here are 10 that are filled with fun, laughter and entertainment— and will help you safely return to normal.

Thursdays Through August

Summertime and the livin’ is easy at the Jersey Shore, especially when there’s live music to keep the fun going all season. Freehold’s Hall of Records will host their Thursdays Rock

Summer Concert Series every Thursday until Aug. 25, featuring widely known groups and local talent performing in front of a live audience. Show run from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., the perfect Happy Hour-timed kick-off to your long summer weekends. Admission is free. Visit downtownfreehold.com for the full lineup and more details.

June 19

If your dad prefers horses to fishes, he’ll enjoy Father’s Day at Monmouth Park in Oceanport. In addition to live horse-racing (the first race is at 12:15 p.m.), there will also be family-friendly activities from 12 until 4 p.m., and brunch reservations or picnic table bookings can be made in advance too. General admission is $6 for kids 12 and over, but all gentlemen get in for free! Book your general admission seats at monmouthpark.com/ event/fathers-day/.

Starting June 11

Pick-your-own isn’t just a fall activity: Happy Day Farms in Manalapan debuts their U-Pick Raspberries event in mid-June for the summer. Four different varieties of raspberries grow on this farm, where you can pick one-half pound ($4) or a full pound ($6) plus a $3 admission fee per person. While you’re there, be sure to stop by the lavender viewing; $12 gets you into the garden where you can enjoy the scent and plenty of pretty photo ops. Learn more at happydayfarmnj.com.

June 15

Bring your aspiring paleontologists to the Poricy Brook Fossil Beds in Middletown, where there are actual fossils from the Cretaceous period. From 4 to 5 p.m., an experienced guide will provide all participants with a trowel and sifter for optimal digging while helping everyone identify the rocks that are found. Rainboots or other closed-toe shoes are a must: The site gets muddy! All kids must be accompanied by an adult. Find out more at middletownnj. org/715/Recreation.

June 25

Enjoy an eclectic sampling of food and drinks from more than 20 local businesses at the 11th annual Taste of Highlands event, 12 to 5 p.m. Bring your appetite to check in at Huddy Park, where you’ll be given a map to see the layout of each type of cuisine and establishment. Ticket-holders who check in at every spot on the map will be entered to win a $200 gift card. Admission is $45 per person, parking included. For more information, email hbpadmin@highlandsnj.com.

June 25, June 26

Become one with nature on a Boat Tour of the Manasquan River, hosted by the Monmouth County Park System. This 45-minute tour of the Manasquan Reservoir in Howell—held both days on the hour at 2, 3, 4 and 5 p.m.—is narrated by a naturalist, and will include opportunities to see wildlife up-close-and-personal. Tickets are $6 per adult and $4 per child, and can only be purchased day-of, since the tour is dependent on the weather and the water level in the river. Call 732.751.9453 for more details.

June 19

The annual Father’s Day

freshwater fishing derby

is back for 2022 at Turkey Swamp Park in Freehold, where fathers, sons and the rest of the family can enjoy a little friendly, fishy competition from 2 to 5 p.m. Prizes will be awarded for the longest fish in three different categories. The cost is $8 per person or $25 per family, plus $5 per pole rental, which includes a can of worms (the good kind). Pre-registration is recommended, which you can do at monmouthcountyparks.com.

July 4

Locals look forward every year to Oceanfest at Pier Village, a seasonal, free event at the shopping center in Long Branch that’s now in its 30th year. This is the ultimate Independence Day celebration at the Jersey Shore, featuring all-day family fun from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. (rides, food, live music, crafts and more) that culminates with an epic fireworks show at 9 p.m. Get more info and learn about sponsorship opportunities at oceanfestnj.com.

Starting July 2

Healthy, locally-grown food will be available at the Freehold Farmers’ Market yet again this summer beginning on July 4th weekend. Held every Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. by Hall of Records, you’ll find fresh fruits, veggies, baked goods, flowers and more here, all sourced from Jersey-based vendors. To see who’s participating this year, visit downtownfreehold.com.

July 24

Chris Rock and Kevin Hart, two comedic legends, are teaming up for one epic live show called Rock Hart: Only Headliners Allowed, and one of only five tour stops is at PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel. These two have been friends for 20 years but this will be their first time sharing the stage, so it’s a pretty epic moment for comedy, to say the least. Will Rock discuss his infamous Oscars slap? There’s only one way to find out… Get your tickets at livenation.com; pricing ranges from $50 for general admission lawn seats to $86 for standard seating.

*Editor’s note: Due to COVID-19 restrictions, all events are subject to cancellations or changes. Attendees are encouraged to observe local safety guidelines.