The Arnone Report: Spring Has Sprung…And Products Made in Monmouth County Are A Buzzing!
By Freeholder Director Tom Arnone
Monmouth County Freeholder Director Tom Arnone
It’s officially spring and here in Monmouth County the signs of the changing season are all around us. Flowers are blooming, the baseball, soccer and lacrosse fields are bustling with excitement, and the big yard clean ups have begun in all our neighborhoods.
Here in Monmouth County, our calendar is filled with activities for all ages. As we enter our spring tourism season, I hope our residents and visitors will take advantage of all the events our beautiful county has to offer. The winter is over and it is time for everyone to get outside and to enjoy the abundant events in the beautiful parks located here in our County, from the beautiful shores to the woodland trails in western most part of Monmouth. With the weather warming up, many events will begin to take place in the great outdoors. At Historic Allaire Village, the Early Spring Flea Market at Historic Allaire Village takes place from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on April 9 and the Spring Festival is on April 16 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
You can also get physical this month with the Holly Forrest Walk on April 15 and an Arbor Day Tree Walk on April 29 at Sandy Hook or the Lobster Run 5k and Walk to Care for the Coast on April 23 at Langosta Lounge in Asbury Park.
The parks will be bustling with activity in April with the Great Spring Perennial Plant Swap at Deep Cut Gardens and the Spring Craft Show at Tatum Park on April 23, the annual Sheep Shearing and Wool Days demonstration at Historic Longstreet Farm on April 23 and 24 and Monmouth County Park System Earth Day Celebrations on April 24, where you will find outdoor activities at several park locations.
Another program that has quickly become an annual spring tradition here is our own “Made in Monmouth” event. Monmouth County will be holding its 5th annual “Made in Monmouth” expo on Saturday, April 9 in the MAC at Monmouth University on Larchwood Avenue, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., displaying products made by individuals and companies located right here in the County.
After five years, the Made in Monmouth program is still growing in popularity, and the number of companies providing goods and services recognize the economic opportunity this event provides. Residents from Monmouth County and across the state have come to appreciate the quality products offered for sampling or purchase. We are proud of the vendors who call Monmouth County home. The public will have access to over 230 vendors who will showcase their craft.
Previous events have showcased jewelry, furniture, pretzels, orchids, surfboards, handmade glass, honey, cosmetics, flags, chocolate, tea and much more. All of these items are made in Monmouth County and were available for purchase to the thousands of people who attended the single day event last year.
Supporting our local economy creates jobs and gives businesses the incentive to keep expanding. That is good for consumers and good for our economy. The Made in Monmouth Expo is the perfect setting for people to learn that they don’t need to travel too far to take advantage of excellent products made by companies in this County.
Made in Monmouth is organized by the Grow Monmouth team within the County’s Division of Economic Development. Grow Monmouth officials meet regularly with business, civic and government leaders to provide state-of-the-art information services. It has become a major public-private project to create and preserve jobs in Monmouth County.
The expo is free to the public. A list of vendors will be provided the day of the event and will available online at www.visitmonmouth.com. Interested producers and manufacturers are encouraged to request to be put on the waitlist online at www.visitmonmouth.com or contact the Division of Economic Development at 732-431-7470 for more information.
Last week, I was honored to learn that I was selected to serve on the board of the 200 club in Monmouth County. The 200 Club in our county is one of many associations nationwide dedicated to providing financial assistance to the families of our public safety and rescue personnel who have been killed in the line of duty. This includes, but is not limited to, police officers, firefighters, and EMT technicians in Monmouth County. The 200 Club provides financial assistance directly to the family in need, within 24 hours. The funds can be used in any way the family deems necessary; including funeral arrangements, payment of bills, or medical assistance.
The 200 Club is made up of leaders of business, industry, labor, public service, education and other professions, including our esteemed Police Chiefs of Monmouth County. It is the goal of the organization to provide financial assistance and comfort to our families, as well as baccalaureate scholarships for their children.
Moreover, the 200 Club is committed to scholarships, annual valor awards, promotion of public discussion and forums, recruitment and educational projects – all aimed at increasing the efficiency of law enforcement and public safety programs and winning public support for them.
The 200 Club’s motto ‘We Remember’ is a pledge to our first responders that we promise to support them, the men and women who put their lives on the line everday, by ensuring that their families are taken care of when tragedy strikes. If you would like to become a member of this incredible organization or provide a financial donation of support, please visit www.monmouth200club.com .
As always…thank you for your support.
Freeholder Director Tom Arnone
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is it unlike “the dog beach” in Manasquan? Where Monmouth County Park Rangers who are want-to-be cops ticket everyone who is trying to have fun outdoors with thier dog because the prick park super didn’t get his way in getting rid of dogs all together? Tom should fire those rangers, force Manasquan to refund everyone who paid a ticket in that dump of a town, and restore the dog beach as a real dog beach where people can have fun with their dogs and dogs can enjoy a swim in the water with their owners getting harassed and fined.
So happy for the other parks as our unique park on the Shark River will soon be unrecognizable. Facebook: maclearie park neighborhood assn. Not to mention our “public” marina and park, and not to mention our free bathing beach at L-Street in Belmar…..