The Gazette of Really Small News

  It's days before Halloween. Trees have been shedding their leaves and gardens are desiccated plots, but plants around Ocean Grove's Auditorium Park still cling to summer. (Photo: The Gazette of Really Small News )

  "Red sky at morning, sailor's warning" might be an old saying, but sometimes you've got to admit the Old Salts knew best: today began with a red sunrise but is expected to end in severe thunderstorms with potentially damaging winds as a nor'easter moves into the region tonight. The National Weather Service says highs today could be an unseasonably high 72, with a low tonight around 61. Rainfall amounts could be 1 to 2 inches. A flash flood watch is in effect from 8 tonight until 5 p.m. tomorrow. (Photo: The Gazette of Really Small News )

Voters registered in Monmouth County can go to the polls at one of 10 locations from today through Sunday, Oct. 31, according to the county clerk's office. In Neptune, the location is the Neptune Township Senior Center, 1607 Corlies Ave. Hours are Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The other early voting sites: Colts Neck  - Colts Neck Library, 1 Winthrop Drive Hazlet  - James J. Cullen Center, 1776 Union Ave. Howell Township - Adelphia Fire Company Station 2, 993 Route 33, Freehold Little Silver - The Women's Club of Little Silver, 111 Church Street Long Branch - Arts and Cultural Center, 577 Broadway Manalapan - Monmouth County Library Headquarters, 125 Symmes Drive Middletown - Croydon Hall, 900 Leonardville Road, Leonardo Spring Lake Heights - Cornelius V. Kelly Community Center, 902 Ocean Road Upper Freehold Township - Upper Freehold Township Municipal Building, 314 Route 539, Cream Ridge All early voting sites are open Monday to Sat...

  A two-masted vessel from the age of sail heads south off Asbury Park Friday morning. The square spaces along the side suggest gun portals, which were once indicative of military (or pirate) vessels. Though it flies the United States flag, the ship's identity and purpose are unknown. Spectators on the boardwalk guessed it could be a historic reconstruction or a training vessel. NOTE: Apparently this is the schooner Mystic Whaler on its way to its new home port at the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum in California. The ship was formerly owned by Mystic Whaler Tallship Cruises of New London, Connecticut,  which recently went out of business. Mystic Whaler Tallship Cruises said on its Facebook page that the ship left port for California on Oct. 20.

The so-called "Hunter's Moon," the full moon of October, looked more like a blood moon as it rose over the horizon Thursday night. (Photo: The Gazette of Really Small News )  

The New Jersey Department of Health today reported 105 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Monmouth County. There were 25 new probable cases and two deaths. Statewide, there were 1,511 new confirmed cases, 327 probable new cases, 23 lab-confirmed deaths, and 15 hospital-reported deaths. All stats are from the states  COVID-18 Dashboard.

Tents around the Great Auditorium in Ocean Grove have been winterized into frames and shadows of what they were in May (below). (Photos: The Gazette of Really Small News )

The Neptune Township Senior Center will hold its yearly Craft Sale Monday, Oct. 25 through Friday, Oct. 29. Hours are Monday, 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Tuesday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Thursday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Items for sale include handmade items and homemade soups.  (Past sales have featured knitted/crocheted throws, hats, scarves, and gloves, as well as  paintings and ceramics. And, yes, soup!) The Neptune Township Senior Center is at 1607 Corlies Ave. Please note that masks are required. The township requires masks in all municipal buildings.

Neptune Township Public Works is seeking a seasonal employee. Pay is $15/hour for up to 40 hours per week, and hours are 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Duties include assisting with trash and recycling collections, and cleaning up township sites. Applicants must be at least 18. Gardening skills are preferred. Applications may be downloaded  here.  Applicants should also email soppegaard@neptunetownship.org or send the application and cover letter to Neptune Township Human Resources Department, 25 Neptune Blvd., Neptune, NJ 07753.

The state department of health today reported 87 confirmed new cases of COVID-19, a drop from yesterday's 92. There are 32 new probable cases and 1 death. Statewide, there were 1,151 new confirmed cases, 503 new probable cases, 31 lab-confirmed deaths, and 8 hospital-confirmed deaths. All stats are from the state's  COVID-19 Dashboard.

If you're registered to vote in Neptune Township, you don't have to wait until Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 2, to cast your ballot. You can take advantage of early in-person voting, which will be at the Neptune Senior Center, 1607 Corlies Ave., Saturday, Oct. 23 through Sunday, Oct. 31.  The schedule is as follows: Saturday, Oct. 23 - 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 24 - 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 25 through Saturday, Oct. 30 - 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 31 - 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. No appointment is necessary. The general election of 2021 marks the first time in New Jersey that registered voters can go to the polls before election day. The change is mandated by state law.

The frost (and other things) might be on the pumpkin this morning, but don't let the cold start get you down. The National Weather Service says today will be sunny, with a high of around 66. Tonight should be warmer than last night: around 54, not last night's low 40s. (File photo/ The Gazette of Really Small News )

The state department of health reported 92 new cases of COVID-19 in Monmouth County today. There were 18 new probable cases and no deaths. Statewide, there were 903 new cases, 208 new probable cases, 12 hospital-reported deaths and 7 lab-confirmed deaths. The statistics are posted on the state's official  COVID-19 Dashboard.

Street lamps at the Ocean Grove beachfront look like a sci-fi portal to sunrise in this image captured before dawn Saturday, Oct. 16. (Photo: The Gazette of Really Small News )  

Monmouth County SCAT (Special Citizens Area Transportation) provides rides to COVID vaccination clinics for persons over 60 and persons over 18 who are disabled. To schedule a ride, call 732-431-6480.

The Ocean Grove Ladies Auxiliary raised more than $48,000 last summer, the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association said in an end-of-season report emailed to subscribers. The funds came by way of special events held between July 8 and Aug. 14: Book Sale, July 8 to July 10 - $11,900 Fish and Chips Dinner, July 14 - $2,464 Thrifty Threads clothing sale, July 22 and 23 - $11,453 Bazaar, July 24 to July 31 -  $17,374 Art in the Park, Aug. 14 - $2,700 Ice Cream Social, Aug. 14 - $2,464 TOTAL: $48,355 "For more than 75 years the Ladies Auxiliary has been proud to serve as an integral part of the Camp Meeting Association," the auxiliary said in the report. "Our various fundraising events provide unique opportunities for our volunteers to engage in service, enjoy fellowship, spiritual support, and contribute to our Ocean Grove community."

The state department of health today reported 111 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Monmouth County, with an additional 12 "probable" cases. Statewide, there were 1,130 new confirmed cases and 136 probable cases. Also, there was 1 confirmed death in Monmouth County and 5 confirmed deaths statewide.  All statistics are from the Cases and Trends page of the state's official  COVID-19 Dashboard.

  A squirrel on a shopping spree takes a break from running around gathering nuts in a panic. The added accessory is a joke, but the implication is real: cold weather is on the way. Time to gather your chilly temps clothing if you haven't done so already. Last night's temps in the high 40s should give way to sunshine-y 60s by this afternoon - along with a slight chance of showers, according to the National Weather Service. (Photo: The Gazette of Really Small News )

You can read magazines on the go now with Flipster, the free digital magazine app now supported by the Neptune Public Library. The app is available on Apple's App Store and on Google Play.

  The dismantled bird bath is all that remains of what a small, hand-painted sign called the "Secret Garden," an informal garden at the side of a vacant, formerly overgrown lot across from Ocean Grove's north end boardwalk. The lot has since been slated for development by a private contractor. The monochrome photo below shows part of the garden as it was in 2017. (Photos: The Gazette of Really Small News )

The state department of health today reported 98 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Monmouth County, with an additional 36 "probable" cases. Statewide, there were 1,419 new confirmed cases and 439 probable cases. Also, there were 2 confirmed deaths in Monmouth County and 28 confirmed deaths statewide.  All statistics are from the Cases and Trends page of the state's official  COVID-19 Dashboard .

Curious about ghost hunting? Want to get deeper into the spirit of Halloween? Then reserve a chunk of time starting at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 27. That's when South Jersey Ghost Research will present a Spooktacular Evening, a free online program about the elements of ghost hunting, including photos, audio, and video of actual investigations. A question-and-answer session will follow. The program, sponsored by Neptune Public Library, is free but requires registration. To register, email Kelly at ktaylor@neptunepubliclibrary.org. The link to the program will be provided.

If you're eligible for Medicare, or if you take care of someone who is, you might want to attend the Medicare information session at the Neptune Senior Center on Monday, Nov. 8. The program, open to new and current Medicare recipients, is free and will start at 10 a.m. Medicare's open enrollment season began Oct. 15 and ends Dec. 7. The Neptune Senior Center is located at 1607 Corlies Ave. For more information, call the center at 732-988-8855.

An unidentified bike rider on the Ocean Grove beach takes in this morning's spectacular sunrise. The National Weather Service says daytime temps could reach a high of 73 before rain and thunderstorms move in this evening as part of a cold front that will knock the thermometer down to an overnight low of around 55. (Photo: The Gazette of Really Small News )

  Sunset over the Ocean Grove side of Fletcher Lake. (Photo:  The Gazette of Really Small News )

Forget the candy aisle and decking the halls with clumps of pumpkins. For a Halloween-ish change of pace, discover "Morbid Monmouth" on Thursday, Oct. 28, when the Monmouth County Historical Association Zooms a show about what it calls the "most macabre, dreadful and eerie objects" in its collection: historical horrors, like the unsurprisingly named Hook of Death, that might seem strange to us, but were familiar - and dangerous -  parts of life in the 18th and 19th centuries. Recommended for ages 14 and up. (Says the MCHA on its website: "This is not a program for children, so keep the kiddies away.") The program, presented by collections director Bernadette Rogoff, is free, but registration is required, and you can do that  here .

Monmouth County Workforce Development will give an online presentation about the New Hire Incentive Program on Thursday, Oct. 21, 2:15 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. Under the program, employers can be reimbursed up to 50 percent of the salary of a new, full-time employee working at least 32 hours per week at minimum wage, with maximum reimbursement capped at $10,000 per employee. Employers and employees must be from Monmouth County. To attend the session, register here. For more information, contact Don Miragliotta, Employment Counselor, Business Services, Monmouth County Workforce Development, at 732-683-8850, extension 6011.

Neptune Township reminds residents and visitors that face masks are required in all of the township's public buildings. These include the municipal building, the Neptune Township Police Department, Neptune Public Library, Neptune Public Works, township engineering offices, and the township senior center. The requirement applies to everyone, whether or not they have been vaccinated against COVID-19, officials said. The reminder is posted on the municipality's  official website.

The Jersey Shore Arts Center is seeking donations of candy for its second annual Halloween Trunk or Treat. Donations may be dropped off at the JSAC main office at 66 South Main Street, Ocean Grove, Mondays through Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, call the JSAC office at 732-502-0050. Trunk or Treat will be held Sunday, Oct. 31, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the center's south parking lot. The event is free and open to the public.

  It's beginning to look a lot like ... Halloween. The days  are shorter and the sun seems to be sinking faster at twilight. This was sunset at Wesley Lake, with a view of new construction in Asbury Park, on Thursday, Oct. 14. (Photo:  The Gazette of Really Small News )

  A squirrel has a sudden stop while running down a tree in Ocean Grove's Auditorium Park Thursday evening. (Photo:  The Gazette of Really Small News )