Municipal Offices and Recycling Center Closed in Observance of Independence Day

Middletown Announces Town-wide Initiatives to
Support Veterans

Middletown Township announced its ongoing initiatives to aid veterans since closing on the property located on Leonardville Road in Belford that will be transformed into 100 percent affordable housing units for those who served in the military.

The Township is also proud to support its all-volunteer Veterans Affairs Committee (VAC) to establish a “Thank a Veteran” program to offer veterans discounts at Middletown businesses, institute a “Veteran of the Year” program, as well as promote awareness of the state fee exemption for local metered parking for disabled veterans and Purple Heart recipients.

“The Township Committee and I are honored to support the VAC in these important initiatives, as well as create affordable housing units deemed solely for the honorable men and women who have served our country,” said Mayor Tony Perry. The Township will be partnering with the Middletown Housing Authority on this project, which currently manages hundreds of affordable housing units in town.

Click HERE to read the full press release.

Congratulations to the Newest Middletown Township Police Youth Week Graduates!

Middletown Township Police Department just held its first Police Youth Week Camp of the summer! There were 65 children, between the ages of 8 to 11, who participated in this program that gave them their first exposure to law enforcement at the recruit phase.

The Police Youth Week program is a combination of classroom style learning and physical training. Participants learned firsthand about a wide variety of law enforcement training and techniques including officer safety, crime scene investigations, traffic enforcement, the K-9 unit, as well as the U.S. Coast Guard’s role in law enforcement. The program also emphasized the importance of citizenship and community policing.

The week concluded with a graduation ceremony on Friday, July 2^nd at the Brookdale Student Life Center. Each graduate received a certificate and a well-earned cadet badge. Mayor Tony Perry, along with Police Chief Craig Weber and Deputy Chiefs Bob Stefanski, John Kaiser, and Paul Bailey, congratulated each child. Kudos to our Police Youth Week graduates and the dedicated officers who run this amazing program!

Welcome to Middletown, LashCara!

On Sunday, June 27^th, Mayor Tony Perry and Deputy Mayor Rick Hibell attended the Grand Opening celebration for LashCara (1287 NJ-35)! LashCara is a one-stop spot for a variety of self-care services, including eyelashes, facials, and permanent makeup. We encourage the community to support all of our businesses in town. 

Click HERE for more information and to book an appointment!

Troop 140 Boy Scouts Climb to Eagle Scout Rank

On Sunday, June 27^th, six Boy Scouts from Troop 140 were promoted to Eagle Scouts at the Eagle Scout Court of Honor ceremony that took place at West Keansburg Fire Company Catering Hall. Donald R. Antenucci III, Christopher Alexander Drew, Michael John LaRocca II, Daniel Lewis, Collin Swabsin, and Jack Zrebiec all dedicated time and demonstrated leadership to earn this promotion. Read below about the community service projects that helped them achieve this rank.

Donald rejuvenated the swimming pool area at Oasis TLC in Middletown. He renovated the storage shed, built chair racks and shelves, and weeded and landscaped the area leading to and at the pool. He spent a total of 167 hours.

Christopher revitalized the New Jersey Blind Citizens Association in Leonardo. He raised money to construct two raised flower beds, sanded all the railings on the walkway, and sanded, repaired, and painted the picnic tables. He spent a total of 101 hours.

Michael raised funds to build, decorate, and install two "Little Libraries" for students to exchange books. One is installed at Bayview Elementary School and one is at Fairview Elementary School. He spent a total of 135 hours.

Daniel fixed up the New Jersey Blind Citizens Association in Leonardo. He installed a drainage system at the side of the building, landscaped the area, and worked on the handicap ramp connected to the building. He spent a total of 112 hours.

Collin renovated the Serenity Stables in Atlantic Highlands. He repaired the drainage system at two of the stables, laid gravel, and completed work on a housing project for some goats. He spent a total of 151 hours.

Jack spruced up the courtyard at Ocean Avenue Elementary School. He painted and relocated planters, repaired and built benches, and painted the wall so students could decorate it. He spent a total of 187 hours.

Congratulations Eagle Scouts Donald, Christopher, Michael, Daniel, Collin, and Jack! Thank you for leaving a lasting impact on our township.

Middletown High School South Graduate Aidan Hannigan Selected as Semi-State Finalist in Government
Essay Contest

On Tuesday, June 29^th, resident Aidan Hannigan was recognized by Mayor Tony Perry for being a state semi-finalist in the New Jersey League of Municipalities' Louis Bay 2^nd Future Municipal Leaders Scholarship Competition. High school juniors and seniors who participated were required to write an essay about how local government has played a role in their life during the COVID-19 pandemic. Aidan, who recently graduated from Middletown High School South, wrote about how the pandemic inspired him to take action and become an EMT at Lincroft First Aid and Rescue Squad. Aidan also serves as a lifeguard on the Sea Bright Ocean Rescue and Surf Rescue Team. His selflessness and drive is an inspiration to us all. Aidan will be studying Mechanical Engineering at Virginia Tech this fall.
 
Congratulations on this wonderful accomplishment and good luck at college, Aidan! Middletown is proud to have leaders like you.

Pick up or Purchase Your 9/11 Remembrance Yard Sign at the MAC Next Weekend (July 10^th and 11^th) 
from 12 to 3 PM

The Middletown Township World Trade Center Memorial Gardens Committee is selling 20^th anniversary 9/11 remembrance yard signs to raise money for the World Trade Center Memorial Gardens (36 Church Street). The committee will be NOT be selling signs at the Middletown Arts Center this weekend, but will be selling them on Saturday, July 10^th and Sunday, July 11^th from 12 to 3 PM. Bring your order confirmation number if you already placed an order. If you did not order a yard sign and would like to purchase one, they will be available for $40. Proceeds will go toward renovations and improvements to our WTC Memorial Gardens.

You can also stop by the Middletown Arts Center (36 Church Street) during regular business hours to purchase a lawn sign by cash or check. 

Click HERE to order a remembrance lawn sign.

Visit www.middletownremembers911.com for more information or call (732) 615-2287 if you have any questions.

Latest U.S. State Department Passport Processing Times

As of June 17^th, the U.S. State Department has announced that expedited shipping for passports has increased from 10 to 12 weeks. Please see the graphic for the latest passport service times.
 
For information about the Middletown Town Hall Passport Office, visit www.MiddletownNJ.org/passport.

Submit Artwork to DPW and MAC's Trash & Recycling Sculpture Art Contest by Friday, 8/6 at 4 PM

The Middletown Department of Public Works and the Middletown Arts Center are seeking trash sculptures to display at the Township's new outdoor Ecological Garden at DPW (52 Kanes Lane). Winners will receive a gift bag that includes a MAC gift certificate and they will also have their artwork showcased at Middletown Day as an example of a creative way to reduce, reuse, and recycle! Please see contest rules in the flyer above.

For more information or to enter the contest, email jticino@middletownnj.org.

Watch "Shakin' the Mess Outta Misery" at the MAC in July

The Middletown Arts Center is hosting "Shakin' the Mess Outta Misery," a production by Dunbar Repertory Company. The show will take place indoors at the MAC's theatre (36 Church Street) on July 9^th, 10^th, 11^th and July 16^th, 17^th, and 18^th. It will begin at 8 PM on Fridays and Saturdays and at 4 PM on Sundays. Tickets are General Admission and $20. Seating is first-come, first-serve.

"Shakin' the Mess Outta Misery" is the story of a young Black girl's coming of age in the South in the 1960s. Daughter is the main character, a 25-year-old narrator whose mother died when she was very young. She was raised by the women in the community, some blood-related, some not, and at the age of 12, she began her journey to womanhood guided by these very diverse, non-traditional older Black women. As she reflects, Daughter becomes a child again, reliving her vivid memories of growing up, recalling the rituals, the faith healings, the stories she was told, and the lessons she learned about survival, healing, faith, and mystery.

Click HERE to purchase tickets and for more information about the show.

Download MTPL's App for Information and Updates!

Join Middletown Recreation at Sunset Movie in the Park on Thursday, 7/22

Join Recreation to watch this great family film in the park! Make sure to pack your chairs and blankets. Movie snacks are welcome. Seating is first come, first served. No registration, so get there early to claim your spot on the lawn!

Featured Movie: Tom and Jerry (2021-PG)
A legendary rivalry reemerges when Jerry moves into New York City's finest hotel on the eve of the wedding of the century, forcing the desperate event planner to hire Tom to get rid of him. As mayhem ensues, the escalating cat-and-mouse battle soon threatens to destroy her career, the wedding, and possibly the hotel itself.

Register For This Summer's Snapology Camp!

This year, Middletown Recreation is offering half-day camps at Poricy Park – Nature Center. Kids will have a blast making new friends and tackling S.T.E.A.M. projects with Snapology this summer. Camps will be smaller socially-distanced groups in accordance with state COVID-19 guidelines.

Registration is now open! Click  HERE to sign up.

Click HERE to access hi-res photos from this
e-newsletter. 

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