Mayor’s Community Update: July 15, 2022
Here is a Catch Up of this Past Week in New Providence and Some of the Many Exciting Things Going On and Upcoming in our Community:
Wishing all who celebrated a very blessed Eid al-Adha. Eid Mubarak!
Congratulations to PBA 132 Egg-My-House “Police Officer for a Day” winners: Favi & Esteban Rodriguez. After being sworn-in, they toured the PD, helped instruct the Youth Academy, and attended presentations by the UC Bomb Squad, UC Drone Unit, and the UC SWAT Team. Be sure to sign up for next years Egg-My-House for a chance to be a “Police Officer for a Day.”
This past Thursday was our 1st Concert-in-the-Park. The music and entertainment was excellent but even better was having our community, friends, families, and neighbors out together. It’s what New Providence is all about! Thank you to Prestige Diner for very generously donating free hot dogs that the New Providence Lions grilled and served, Zita’s Homemade Ice Cream for very generously donating free ice cream for all to enjoy, Tropical Smoothie Cafe for giving out delicious free sample smoothies, ACME Markets for all the free water bottles, Dr Robinson for giving out free bags, and Advanced Financial Federal Credit Union for giving out free re-usable beverage containers. Thank you also to Simon the Magician who was entertaining all the kids. It was a really fun night!
The next concert dates are:
– Thursday July 21st 7pm – Kinderhook
– Thursday July 28th 7pm – Kootz
These free concerts, sponsored by the New Providence Business Community, are made possible because of generous donations from our local businesses: Advanced Financial Federal Credit Union, the Downtown Improvement District, Elefante Music & School for the Performing Arts, NJ Sharing Network, NP Fuel, NP Lions Club, Prestige Diner, Robert T. Robinson Orthodontics, Terrana Orthodontics, Tropical Smoothie Cafe, and Zita’s Homemade Ice Cream.
Young Minds meeting the Experienced Minds – Thank you to the NP Intergenerational Club for playing Bingo with our Seniors at the DeCorso Center. They really enjoyed it and hope to have them back again soon.
EMS 2022 Fund Drive – Our EMS is 100% volunteer membership. They truly appreciate your support! Donations are tax deductible. Without YOU, they wouldn’t be able to help our community! If you would like to contribute please visit www.NewProvidenceEMS.org
Utility Upgrades are continuing around the Borough, expect some delays and detours. Please be patient while this important work continues.
Join Plastic-Free in July – Go to www.plasticfreejuly.org and click on ‘Take the Challenge’ to help reduce plastic waste.
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Library:
Summer reading is in full swing at the library! All ages 0-100 can participate. To get started, download the ReadSquared app, visit newprovidencelibrary.readsquared.com or see one of the teen volunteers stationed in the children’s room.
Summer reading is for adults, too! Log up to 6 books to earn prizes from the treasure chest & enter a raffle for a gift card to Coppola’s or a gift card to Old Glory. Log your reads at https://newprovidencelibrary.readsquared.com, on the ReadSquared app, or simply fill out a slip at the front desk (adults only, please).
“Belfast” coming August 9th! Children’s movies 2pm every Wednesday in August! (Moana, Little Mermaid, Free Willy, Dolphin Tale 1 and 2… ) https://www.newprovidencelibrary.org/events/library-calendar/month.calendar/2022/08/15/13
Your library card gets you free access to Comics Plus — thousands of digital comics, graphic novels and more for adults, teens and children age 5 & up. Every title is always available, on your computer, tablet or phone. To get started, go to http://newprovidencelibrary.org and click on the Resources tab.
Have you made the switch to the Libby app? It offers the best reading experience for all ages and has the same great content you love in the OverDrive app! Get in-app support with any questions you may have. https://www.overdrive.com/apps/libby/switchtolibby
The Art of the Mask is on display through the end of July at the New Providence Memorial Library.
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New Providence Historical Society:
SALT BOX MUSEUM OPEN THIS SUNDAY – JULY 17, 2022 from 1-3pm! You have probably driven past our museum Many Many times, but have never set foot inside. 1350 Springfield Ave.; just west of the Prestige Diner. Pick up a copy of our Images of America-New Providence, photo book ! Call 908 665-1034 and leave message with questions. Though typically open the First Sunday of the month, due to the holiday; we rescheduled to 17th.
COME CHECK OUT THE NEWLY PAINTED SALT BOX HOUSE !
Please Support your local N.P. Hist. Soc. !
They are always looking for people who have an interest in local history; with an interest in joining us and supporting our mission.
The Historical Society is looking for Docents for the Salt Box Museum
The New Providence Historical Society also puts out a newsletter called Turkey Tracks: http://newprovidencehistorical.files.wordpress.com/…
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Recreation:
Our New Providence Recreation Department Department has many exciting upcoming activities: www.newprov.org/recreation.
Recreation Community Events: www.newprov.org/community-events
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COVID Update:
Senior Vaccine Booster Clinic on Wednesday, August 17 at 10am @ DeCorso Center
From the CDC: COVID-19 Vaccine Update: Everyone 6 months and older should get vaccinated against COVID-19. Getting vaccinated can help protect you from severe disease, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3CJme0v
Testing is offered at the Union County clinic in the Warinanco Sports Center, located at 1 Park Drive in Warinanco Park, in Roselle. Vaccinations will continue to be offered at the Warinanco Sports Center and at the Union County clinic at Plainfield High School, in Plainfield. Home-bound residents can make an appointment to be vaccinated at home by calling the Union County Office of Health Management at 908-613-7829 during regular weekday business hours, or leave a call-back message after hours. In addition, the Union County mobile vaccination and testing clinics will continue to visit various locations throughout the County. For more information about Union County’s testing and vaccination services, including locations and hours of operation, visit www.ucnj.org/covid19.
COVID Dashboard: https://www.nj.gov/…/cd/topics/covid2019_dashboard.shtml.
CDC Booster Information: https://www.cdc.gov/…/2019-ncov/vaccines/booster-shot.html
Emergency Food Distribution for Union County residents: : https://wp.me/p4sLwl-p5E:
DCA’s Division of Housing & Community Resources will be accepting pre-applications online for the State Rental Assistance Program waiting list from July 11 to July 22. For information about the SRAP program and eligibility requirements, please visit: bit.ly/3HDA1J6
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UPCOMING:
Scrap Metal Recycling on July 16th:
Union County Car Truck and Bike Show saluting the County’s first responders and front-line heroes will take place on Saturday, July 16 from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Oak Ridge Park Sports Complex, located at 136 Oak Ridge Road in Clark. The event is free for all to attend. The event will showcase the Union County Public Safety and EMS fleet and COVID-19 front line responders along with scores of unique and unusual car show vehicles. The rain date for this event is scheduled for Sunday, July 17. https://wp.me/p4sLwl-piM
The next Brough Council Meeting is Tuesday July 19, 2022 7:30pm.
Concerts in the Park offering music and entertainment for the whole family. The free concerts start at 7 PM and will also feature a magician to entertain the kids. Prestige Diner is generously donating free hot dogs that the NP Lions Club will cook and serve, and Zita’s Homemade Ice Cream is generously donating free ice cream for all to enjoy.
Thursday, July 21 – Kinderhook
Thursday, July 28 – Kootz
These free concerts, sponsored by the New Providence Business Community, are made possible because of generous donations from our local businesses: Advanced Financial Federal Credit Union, the Downtown Improvement District, Elefante Music & School for the Performing Arts, NJ Sharing Network, NP Fuel, NP Lions Club, Prestige Diner, Robert T. Robinson Orthodontics, Terrana Orthodontics, Tropical Smoothie Café, and Zita’s Homemade Ice Cream.
National Night Out, Concert and Fireworks – Tuesday, August 2nd: Sponsored by New Providence PBA Local 132 and the New Providence Business Community. This event is at 7 PM at the New Providence High School. National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie. First responders including police, firefighters, and EMS display their equipment and interact with the community. This is an opportunity for the entire family to meet not only the people who serve and protect them, but also the local businesses and organizations that help our town thrive.
National Night out is made possible by our generous sponsors: Acme Market, Downtown Improvement District, Elefante Music & School for Performing Arts, NJ Sharing Network, NP Lions Club, Peapack Private Wealth Management, Prestige Diner, Terrana Orthodontics, Your Kids Urgent Care, and Zita’s Homemade Ice Cream.
The Next ‘Chat with the Mayor’ is Friday Aug 5th 6:30pm-8pm in the Lincoln Meeting Room Borough Hall.
Senior Vaccine Booster Clinic on Wednesday, August 17 at 10am @ DeCorso Center
From the State of New Jersey: From August 27th to September 5th, New Jersey will have a back-to-school sales tax holiday – cutting the cost on: school supplies, school art supplies, school instructional materials, computers, school computer supplies
Our Annual Freecycle-Fest Event hosted by our Sustainability Committee will be held on September 17, 2022 (rain date Sept 18, 2022) at the New Providence Community Pool parking lot from 9am – 2pm. This is an opportunity to bring unwanted items to a central location in New Providence for “recycling” with other families. In the past this Freecycle Event has been held simultaneously with the Green Fair. However, the two events will be held on separate dates this year. Thank you to the Sustainability Committee for their good work on this for our community.
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Mental Health Awareness: New Providence Cares About Your Mental Wellness
July is BIPOC Mental Health Month. For more information on BIPOC Mental Health Month or to take a screening go to: mhanational.org
Mental Health Awareness New Jersey (MHANJ) is celebrating the rich culture of the BIPOC community and invite you for BIPOC- Messages of Hope & Celebration on 7/31 in West Orange, NJ. This is a free event sponsored by MHANJ, Pleasant Valley Productions, OSPAC & Creative Arts.
The New Providence Mental Health Advocacy and Education Committee is spearheaded by Council President Nadine Geoffroy and Councilwoman Lisa McKnight. The committee mission statement: “The goal of the committee is to reduce the stigma of mental health within the community by promoting understanding through education, advocacy, raising awareness and connecting people to resources to get them hope and help.” The committee has several objectives and projects including lawn signs promoting mental health awareness. The committee also partnered with the high school and handed out green ribbons to students. The borough poles were decorated with the green ribbons in recognition of Mental Health Awareness during the month of May. For more information please contact Nadine Geoffroy at ngeoffroy@newprov.org.
If you need help please call 866.202.HELP (4357) for free & anonymous emotional support 8am-8pm
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Available 24 hours 800-273-8255
Crisis text line 741741
On July 16th, 988 will become the national dialing code for people experiencing a mental health crisis. By dialing 9-8-8, you can be connected to suicide prevention and health crisis counselors 24/7. To learn more about the 988 system in NJ, please watch this presentation created by the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuKhq-VPVjU
Veterans are invited to a bi-monthly, veteran-run peer support & discussion group, Warriors Welcome. This group is no-cost, confidential and a judgment-free zone. They meet every 1st and 3rd Friday: bit.ly/WarriorsWelcomeNJ.
Virtual Muslim Mental Health community group meets Sundays 7pm. Join for a discussion of mental health concerns, wellness goals, and more. Newcomers welcome! bit.ly/MuslimGroupNJ
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Quick Links:
Council Meeting in Minute: https://www.newprov.org/2022/06/council-meeting-in-a-minute-june-28-2022
Borough Council Meetings: youtube.com/channel/UCZzCgFvlBgpSfW-JEVRMXsA
Borough Contact Information and Action Line: www.newprov.org/citizen-action-line
New Providence (Mailed) Calendar: https://www.newprov.org/download/Borough%20Newsletters/2022/2022-Annual-Calendar-most-recent.pdf
NPHS Athletics Calendar: https://sites.google.com/npsdnj.org/nphs-athletics/athletic-schedule
NPTV Schedule: www.sites.google.com/npsdnj.org/cook-nptv/nptv-schedule
Public Works: www.newprov.org/department-of-public-works
Recycle Coach: www.newprov.org/recycle-coach
Senior Citizen Bus: Transportation (with pick up at your home) is available for residents 55+ to ShopRite every Tuesday morning at 8am. Please call the Center at (908) 665-0046 by Monday morning to sign up or for more information.
Smart911 Community Alert System: newprov.org/2022/04/register-today-for-smart-911
Turkey Tracks Newsletter of the New Providence Historical Society: http://newprovidencehistorical.files.wordpress.com/…
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Missed an update? Mayor’s Community Updates can be found on the Borough website and at https://www.mayoralmorgan.com/category/community-updates-community-updates/
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Keep informed with Borough information:
Website – newprov.org
Facebook – @newprovnj
Twitter – @newprovnj
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FUN FACT: This past Wednesday we had a “Buck Moon.” A Buck Moon is a July super moon when our moon is closest to our planet, making it appear bigger and brighter than normal. The name “Buck” comes from the growth cycle of a deer’s antlers being in full swing during this time of year.
Please feel free to contact me anytime about any issue. Your concerns are my concerns. We are here to serve you. We are a team effort here in NP! Thank you to our outstanding Borough Council, our dedicated administration, employees and staff, our selfless volunteers, and to all of you for making our community such an incredible place. Please be sure to support all our wonderful local establishments and SHOP NP! Have a great weekend and week ahead! We are Pioneer Strong!
– Mayor Al Morgan
