Oh, the Places We Go
We are officially in the swing of summer, and I could not be happier about it. I live for this time of year: longer days, later nights, backyard dinners, getaways and all the red, white and blue fun that comes with the Fourth of July. The no-bedtime summer schedule for our girls will probably catch up to me soon, but for now, these lazy evenings feel like a welcome change from the nonstop running of the school year.
This month’s Explore theme is all about that feeling. Sometimes, the best discoveries are close by, waiting along the shoreline, inside a historic landmark, around a backyard table or in the middle of a community tradition. In this issue, we’re celebrating the many ways we can explore, unwind and enjoy the season.
Our cover story on page 12 celebrates Oceanfest, Long Branch’s beloved Fourth of July tradition along the oceanfront at Pier Village. With live entertainment, food vendors, family-friendly activities and fireworks over the Atlantic Ocean, it captures everything we love about summer at the Jersey Shore.
On page 16, we invite you to explore Elberon Memorial Church, a historic sanctuary built in 1886 that continues to tell a layered story through its architecture, stained glass, music and enduring sense of place.
And because no July issue feels complete without something for the grill, we’re sharing a homemade barbecue sauce recipe on page 20 that is easy to customize and perfect for summer cooking. Whether you are planning a backyard barbecue, a casual family dinner or need a little something extra for whatever is coming off the grill, this one is worth saving.
You’ll also find our July 2026 Readers’ Choice: Explore Edition winners for Greater Long Branch on page 18. Chosen entirely by reader vote, these winners reflect the local businesses, services and destinations our community continues to recommend and celebrate. Be sure to follow along at @GreaterLongBranchCityLifestyle as we highlight the winners and the people behind them.
Whether your July plans include fireworks, a beach day, a backyard barbecue, a walk through town or simply trying something new, we hope this issue gives you a little inspiration. Here’s to exploring more, slowing down when we can and enjoying the season right where we are.
July 2026
PUBLISHER
Jake Slowinski | jake.slowinski@citylifestyle.com
CO-PUBLISHER
Tiffany Slowinski | tiffany.slowinski@citylifestyle.com
EDITORIAL COORDINATOR
Brooke Boyer | brooke.boyer@citylifestyle.com
ACCOUNT MANAGERS
Rose Balisi | rose.balisi@citylifestyle.com
Jessie Fernandez | jessie.fernandez@citylifestyle.com
INTERNS
Riley Burns | riley.burns@citylifestyle.com
Matina Manganello
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Wesley Cheringal, Kartheek Photography
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
David Burke
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
President Matthew Perry
COO David Stetler
CRO Jamie Pentz
CoS Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Andrew Sapad
LAYOUT DESIGNER Jamie Housh
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Marina Campbell
Oceanfest Returns To Long Branch
In-Home Care Services
city scene
WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN
1: St. John’s University Dance Team helped cheer men’s basketball to a Big East Tournament championship. 2—4: Jan’s Optical clients were spotted looking sharp and confident in their new glasses. 5: Long Branch launched a Free Little Art Gallery outside the Arts and Cultural Center. 6—7: Purr’n Pooch Pet Resorts celebrated groom-to-be Anthony with an impromptu bachelor party in Tinton Falls.
LYONS ASSOCIATES LONG
Elberon Memorial Church Opens for Summer Worship
Elberon Memorial Church opens for its summer worship season from July 5 through Sept. 6. Dedicated in 1886 in honor of Moses Taylor, the historic Gothic building features notable architecture and stained-glass windows designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany. By preserving its architectural heritage and longstanding traditions, the church continues to offer residents and visitors a quiet space for reflection, fellowship and community connection.
Photography by Elberon Memorial Church
The Church of the Presidents Museum in Long Branch’s Elberon section began a major renovation supported by nearly $2 million in state and federal grant funding. Built in 1879 and associated with seven U.S. presidents, the historic landmark closed due to structural deterioration. The restoration includes structural stabilization and preservation of architectural details. Once completed, the project is expected to support the museum’s reopening as an educational and cultural site.
Monmouth Park Charity Fund Partners with Jersey Shore Breaks Event
The Monmouth Park Charity Fund partnered with Jersey Shore Breaks for an evening of basketball and community engagement featuring local players, families and supporters. The event highlighted youth athletics and philanthropy through competitive play and fundraising efforts benefiting community programs. Organizers emphasized teamwork, sportsmanship and civic involvement, reinforcing ongoing support for youth development and nonprofit initiatives across Monmouth County. Want to be featured?
Photography by City of Long Branch
Photography by Monmouth Park Charity Fund
LIV E MUSIC, FOOD, AND FIREWORKS RETURN TO PIER VILLAGE CELEBRATION.
ARTICLE BY BROOKE BOYER | PHOTOGRAPHY BY KARTHEEK PHOTOGRAPHY
RETURNS HOME OCEANFEST
Every summer, the Jersey Shore awakens with traditions that feel woven into the rhythm of the season itself. Along the Long Branch waterfront, few celebrations capture that spirit quite like Oceanfest. Returning to the oceanfront on July 4th, the beloved annual event once again promises a full day of live entertainment, family activities, food vendors and fireworks stretching across the Atlantic shoreline.
For Susan Collin, vice president of the Greater Long Branch Chamber of Commerce, Oceanfest has always represented far more than a holiday festival. After helping organize the event for decades, she has watched it evolve into one of the Jersey Shore’s signature summer traditions while still preserving the close-knit community atmosphere that first made it special.
“After doing this for 31 years, last year was phenomenal,” Collin said. “The weather was great, the sponsors were happy with the day and how it turned out, and there were tons of people.”
Hosted by the chamber in partnership with the City of Long Branch, Oceanfest has welcomed visitors from across New Jersey and beyond since 1990. What began as a local Fourth of July gathering has steadily grown into one of the state’s largest Independence Day celebrations. Drawing families, beachgoers and visitors to the shore year after year.
Yet despite its scale, Collin believes the heart of Oceanfest has remained remarkably unchanged.
“It’s become a tradition for so many families,” she said. “People look forward to it every year.”
That sense of tradition is visible throughout the day. Families stroll the boardwalk together, children gather around sand sculpting displays, music drifts across the promenade and visitors pause between vendors to take in the ocean views. For many attendees, the event has become a generational ritual, one that marks the beginning of summer memories year after year.
Set against the backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean, Oceanfest transforms the Long Branch beachfront into a lively pedestrian-friendly festival corridor filled with food trucks, local vendors, live performances and interactive attractions for all ages. The atmosphere feels distinctly Jersey Shore: energetic, welcoming and deeply rooted in community connection.
“There’s something for everyone,” Collin said. “Whether you want to take a stroll along the boardwalk, come for homemade empanadas or grab a fresh-baked cookie, there’s a little bit of everything for everybody.”
Throughout the day, visitors can experience everything from live musical performances and roaming entertainment to children’s games and hands-on family activities spread across the promenade. Local businesses and community organizations also play a major role in the celebration, creating an atmosphere that feels both festive and deeply connected to the people who call Long Branch home. For many vendors and sponsors, Oceanfest has become one of the most anticipated opportunities of the summer season to connect directly with residents and visitors alike.
Collin’s connection to the event also reflects her broader commitment to Long Branch itself. Through her leadership role with the chamber, she has spent years supporting local businesses, tourism initiatives and community partnerships that continue shaping the city’s growth. Oceanfest, she says, remains one of the clearest examples of how the community comes together to celebrate both its local identity and coastal culture.
Behind the scenes, the event requires months of coordination and planning. Chamber organizers work alongside city officials to manage everything from sponsorships and vendor logistics to public safety and waterfront operations as tens of thousands of visitors make their way to the shore throughout the day.
Still, for many attendees, the emotional centerpiece arrives after sunset.
“The fireworks are the icing on the cake because everyone wants to watch them,” Collin said.
As night falls, crowds gather along the beach, boardwalk and Pier Village waterfront, waiting for the sky above the Atlantic Ocean to erupt in color. The fireworks display has become synonymous with Oceanfest itself—a shared moment that brings together residents, visitors and generations of families all at once.
Even as Oceanfest continues to grow, Collin believes its purpose remains simple: creating a place where people can come together and celebrate summer along the shore.
For more information on this year’s Oceanfest celebration, including entertainment schedules, vendor details and event updates, visit @OceanfestLB.
EXPLORING HISTORY ALONG THE SHORE
A HISTORIC COASTAL CHURCH REVEALS STORIES OF BEAUTY, LEGACY, AND UNTOLD AMERICAN HISTORY
To explore a place is to look beyond what is immediately visible—to uncover the stories, contradictions and quiet details that shape its identity. Along the coastline of Long Branch sits Elberon Memorial Church, a historic sanctuary that offers exactly that: an invitation to step into a living narrative that spans centuries.
ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY
BY BROOKE BOYER
At first glance, the structure feels timeless. Its woodwork, stained glass and intricate architecture evoke a sense of permanence. But a closer look reveals something deeper. Every element carries a story, some carefully documented, others passed down through generations of parishioners and caretakers.
Built in 1886, the church began as a seasonal sanctuary for wealthy families escaping the heat of New York City. At a time when railroads transformed coastal travel, Long Branch became a summer destination for high society.
“The church was really built for the summer residents who came down from New York during the Gilded Age,” explains Sharon Lees, president of the Board of Trustees at Elberon Memorial Church. “Long Branch was considered one of the premier seaside destinations at the time.”
Today, rhythm still shapes its operation. Services continue during the summer months, honoring tradition while responding to the realities of maintaining a historic space. Inside, many original features remain remarkably intact, including the church’s celebrated Hilborne L. Roosevelt organ, a rare instrument that has filled the sanctuary with music for generations.
“The Roosevelt organ is one of the treasures of the church,” Lees says. “People come not only for services but also to hear the music and experience the acoustics inside the sanctuary.”
The stained-glass windows offer another layer of history. Commissioned by prominent families of the era, they reflect devotion and craftsmanship.
Catherine Taylor, wife of financier Moses Taylor, commissioned the Nativity window, while additional windows were commissioned by members of the Taylor family as memorial tributes.
“The windows are extraordinary pieces of art,” Lees explains. “Some of the glass formulas, especially the deep blues, can’t even be recreated today.”
Other details throughout the church carry stories of preservation and adaptation. According to church historians, several of the chandeliers are believed to have originated from a New York bank, adding another layer of history to the already richly detailed space.
But to fully explore this space is also to confront its more complicated history. The wealth that funded many Gilded Age institutions was often rooted in industries shaped by exploitation and inequality. Those realities remain part of the historical context surrounding places like Elberon Memorial Church. The building is more than architecture; it is history.
Still, beauty remains central to the experience. Visitors are drawn not only to the craftsmanship but to the atmosphere itself—the quiet stillness, the filtered light and the sense of reflection the church inspires. Despite its age, the church continues to host weddings, musical performances and seasonal services, bringing contemporary life into a space shaped by the past.
They come for history, spirituality, music or art. But many leave with something harder to define: perspective.
Begin your exploration at elberonmemorialchurch.com.
Editor's Note: Sharon Lees, who generously shared her knowledge of Elberon Memorial Church for this article, died after the story was written. We are grateful for her contributions and the care she brought to preserving the church’s history.
Readers Choice ’
EXPLORE EDITION—JULY 2026
Whether it’s a summer treat by the shore, a backyard built for entertaining or a well-earned getaway, Greater Long Branch residents know how to make the most of coastal living. This month’s Readers’ Choice: Explore Edition celebrates the businesses helping locals enjoy memorable experiences all season long.
Selected entirely through reader votes, these winners reflect the places and professionals the community continues to trust for quality service, creativity and everyday enjoyment. With that, we’re proud to announce the July 2026 Readers’ Choice winners for Greater Long Branch.
MAKING THE MOST OF COASTAL LIVING
Greater Long Branch Readers’ Choice winners spotlight the businesses helping locals relax, recharge and enjoy life near the shore. From backyard upgrades and travel planning to summer favorites, these professionals bring quality, creativity and dependable service to every experience. Follow us for upcoming categories and voting at @GreaterLongBranchCityLifestyle
ARTICLE BY GREATER LONG BRANCH CITY LIFESTYLE
PHOTOGRAPHY BY KARTHEEK PHOTOGRAPHY
BEST ICE CREAM PARLOR
Strollo’s Lighthouse
Known for its Italian ice and nostalgic beach-town feel, Strollo’s Lighthouse has become a summertime staple for families across the Jersey Shore. strolloslighthouse.com | (732) 222-1990
BEST DECK BUILDER
Carl’s Fencing, Decking & Home Improvements
Custom outdoor spaces and durable craftsmanship helped Carl’s earn recognition from voters throughout the region.
bycarls.com | (732) 234-9330
BEST CLEANING SERVICE
Stunning Cleaning Services
Homeowners pointed to dependable service, professionalism and attention to detail as standout qualities. stunningcleaningservices.com | (908) 342-3543
BEST TRAVEL AGENCY
A Shore Thing Travel LLC
From tropical vacations to family getaways, A Shore Thing Travel LLC helps clients plan stress-free trips tailored to their needs.
ashorethingtravel.com | (732) 245-8741
BEST POOL BUILDER
Cummins Signature Pools
Cummins Signature Pools stood out for creating outdoor spaces designed for relaxation, entertaining and long-term enjoyment.
cumminssignaturepools.com | (760) 468-8790
FROM CAROLINA TANG TO KANSAS CITY SWEET, EXPLORE AMERICA’S SAUCY BARBECUE STAPLE.
A BARBECUE SAUCE SUMMER
RECIPE BY CHEF DAVID BURKE
We’re well into grilling season, which makes this the perfect time to talk about barbecue sauce. Chef David Burke shares his go-to barbecue sauce recipe.
Barbecue sauce is one of those kitchen staples that can be deeply regional, highly personal and endlessly adaptable. Some versions are thin and tangy, others are sweet and glossy, and a few are creamy, peppery or boldly spiced. What they all have in common is the ability to add flavor and personality to summer cooking.
BARBECUE SAUCE
Early American barbecue sauces were simple mixtures of vinegar, salt, pepper and sometimes mustard. These thinner, tangier sauces were especially common in the Carolinas, where they helped cut through the richness of pork. Over time, as tomatoes, molasses and sugar became more available, barbecue sauce evolved into many regional styles.
For many people, the most familiar version is Kansas City style: tomato-based, sweet, glossy and made to cling to ribs, chicken and anything else coming off the grill.
The best part is that barbecue sauce is easy to make your own. Start
About Chef David Burke
with this classic base, then adjust the flavor with ginger, soy sauce, mustard, orange juice, coffee, citrus zest, cumin, horseradish, capers, pickle juice or even tea.
Barbecue sauce can also do more than finish grilled meats. Stir it into mayonnaise for pasta or potato salad, mix it with ranch for a quick dip, or fold it into mac and cheese.
Ingredients
• 1 cup ketchup
• 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
New Jersey-born chef and restaurateur David Burke is known for playful, precision-driven American cooking and elevated comfort classics. His restaurants span New Jersey and beyond, including Red Horse by David Burke in Rumson.
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
Directions
1. Simmer all ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat.
2. Reduce heat to low and cook 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened.
3. Taste and adjust seasoning.
For more recipes, follow @chefdavidburke.
A Clear Vision, Thoughtfully Curated: Inside Jan’s Optical
WHERE STYLE MEETS CLEAR VISION
ARTICLE BY BROOKE BOYER | PHOTOGRAPHY BY WESLEY CHERINGAL
Exploration is often associated with travel—discovering unfamiliar places, new cultures or hidden destinations. But sometimes, exploration begins much closer to home. Sometimes, it starts with seeing yourself in a new light. At Jan’s Optical, that sense of discovery is woven into every experience, transforming something as practical as eyewear into an opportunity for confidence, self-expression and personal style.
Located in the heart of Oakhurst along the Jersey Shore, Jan’s Optical has spent decades building a loyal following through personalized service and a strong commitment to individualized care. Today, the business is owned by Jennifer Aquino, who continues to carry forward the boutique’s reputation for helping clients find eyewear that feels both fashionable and deeply personal.
While the optical industry has increasingly shifted toward fast transactions and online convenience, Jan’s Optical has remained grounded in a more relationship-driven approach. Every appointment begins not simply with prescriptions or measurements, but with conversation—learning about a client’s
lifestyle, personality, daily routine and aesthetic preferences before recommending frames.
“We really try to get to know each person who walks through the door,” Aquino says. “Eyewear is something you wear every single day, so it should feel like you. When someone finds the right pair, you can see their confidence change immediately.”
That personalized philosophy has become the foundation of the business. Rather than overwhelming customers with endless options, Jan’s Optical offers a carefully curated collection of frames selected for their craftsmanship, quality and distinctive style. The focus is not simply on following trends, but on helping clients discover eyewear that feels authentic to who they are.
Whether someone is searching for a bold statement piece, a timeless everyday frame or something sleek and understated, the process is designed to feel collaborative and individualized. Aquino works closely with clients to help them step outside their comfort zones when appropriate while still ensuring the final choice reflects their personality and lifestyle.
“I’m always looking at what’s current and what’s next,” Aquino says. “I love bringing fresh styles to my clients and helping them try something they may not have picked for themselves.”
Fashion and functionality remain equally important throughout the experience. Every recommendation considers comfort, durability and visual clarity alongside appearance. Advanced lens technology allows clients to customize their eyewear for reading, screen use, driving, work and everyday activities, ensuring the final result supports both style and practicality.
The boutique’s coastal location also naturally influences its offerings. Life at the Jersey Shore calls for premium sunwear that balances protection with elevated design, and Jan’s Optical places strong emphasis on high-quality sunglasses suited for an active outdoor lifestyle. Seasonal styles may evolve throughout the year, but the boutique’s dedication to craftsmanship and individualized service remains constant.
What truly distinguishes Jan’s Optical, however, is the lasting sense of community it has cultivated over the years. Many families throughout Oakhurst and the surrounding shore towns have returned for
generations, bringing children, parents and friends because of the trust and familiarity they associate with the business. Clients are not treated as transactions, but as relationships built over time.
With access to an independent optometrist, patients can also receive professional eye care and expertly selected eyewear in one seamless experience. That balance of medical expertise and personalized styling has helped Jan’s Optical remain a trusted destination for both vision care and fashion-forward eyewear.
“I genuinely care about helping people feel good when they leave here,” Aquino says. “It’s not just about selling glasses. It’s about making someone feel comfortable, confident and excited about what they’re wearing.”
As retail continues to evolve, Jan’s Optical remains grounded in the qualities that never go out of style: personal connection, expert guidance and helping every client see themselves—and the world around them—with greater clarity and confidence.
To learn more or explore the boutique’s offerings, visit jansopticaloptions.com .
Jennifer Aquino
FROM YOUR STREET TO WATERFRONT DREAMS
Dedicated, and Motivated!
Our real estate journey doesn’t end at closing Whether you're looking to buy, sell, or just explore your options, I'm with you every step of the way Let's connect for a free consultation!
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Indoor Golf, Reimagined and Social
Exploring the New Era of Golf: Inside Tee2Green
Exploration is often associated with travel, the idea of discovering somewhere entirely new. But sometimes, exploration happens much closer to home. Sometimes, it comes from experiencing something familiar in a completely different way. In West Long Branch, Tee2Green is redefining what golf can look like through an indoor concept that blends advanced technology, social connection and year-round accessibility.
For many golfers, the sport has traditionally meant committing an entire day to one round. Tee2Green offers a different approach. Using TrackMan technology, the same system used by professional golfers and seen during televised tournaments, players can practice, compete or casually play in a more flexible environment that fits modern schedules.
“There is a difference,” says Amy Bundy of Tee2Green. “I’m not going to lie and tell anybody that playing in here is the equivalent of playing outside because it’s not. It is a different experience. But if you take the entire winter where you can’t play outside and continue to work on your game in here, when you go back outside, it’s not like you’re starting over again.”
That balance between serious training and entertainment is what makes Tee2Green unique. Some visitors come specifically to improve their game, using detailed swing analysis and performance tracking to sharpen
ARTICLE BY BROOKE BOYER
PHOTOGRAPHY BY WESLEY CHERINGAL
their skills. Others arrive simply looking for a fun night out with friends or family. The facility adapts to both experiences with ease.
Inside, Tee2Green feels less like a traditional golf facility and more like a modern clubhouse. Wide open simulator bays encourage conversation and interaction between guests, creating an atmosphere that feels welcoming rather than intimidating. Visitors often arrive alone and leave having met new people through the shared experience of golf.
“It’s kind of like Cheers,” Bundy says with a laugh. “People come in and everybody gets to know each other. Somebody might come in not knowing anyone, and after a couple visits they’re playing with people they met here.”
The social atmosphere is one of the facility’s defining features and something that separates it from more private simulator concepts.
Tee2Green’s expansive layout includes lounge seating, pingpong, cornhole, arcade games and a patio space, allowing guests to relax
even when they are not actively swinging a club. The venue also hosts corporate outings, birthday celebrations, bachelor parties and networking events while maintaining an approachable, community-driven feel.
Beyond the simulator bays, Tee2Green offers a full-service pro shop where golfers can regrip and repair clubs with quick turnaround times, schedule lessons and professional fittings, and demo equipment from major brands including Titleist, TaylorMade, Callaway, Ping and Mizuno. The facility also features a dedicated Titleist fitting bay, currently the only one of its kind in New Jersey, bringing golfers from surrounding states to experience personalized fittings and instruction.
One of Tee2Green’s most distinctive offerings is access to more than 500 virtual golf courses around the world. Players can practice for upcoming golf vacations or experience famous destinations from indoors.
“If you’re going away to play golf in Ireland, Scotland or somewhere out West, there’s a good chance we have that course,” Bundy says. “You can come in here and play it before your trip. That’s a really cool thing.”
Ultimately, Tee2Green represents the evolving future of golf, one that embraces flexibility, technology and community without losing sight of the game itself. Whether someone is a seasoned golfer refining a swing or a newcomer simply looking for a fun experience, Tee2Green proves that sometimes exploration is not about traveling farther. Sometimes, it is about discovering a new way to enjoy something you already love.
Book your bay and join the community at tee2green.com
ARTICLE BY KALI KASPRZYK
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES
MAKEUP BY MIKAYLA CRANE
The 10% Target Mindset
Jen Cohen ON THE PRACTICE OF ASKING FOR WHAT YOU WANT
Winnipeg in the winter, and a 17-year-old waits 45 minutes in the cold for Keanu Reeves. Her fingers are numb. She is not there for an autograph. She is there to ask him to appear in her audition tape for MuchMusic, Canada’s MTV. When he finally agrees, she writes her number on a gum wrapper with a borrowed lip liner.
He calls days later.
That 17-year-old was Jen Cohen — fitness expert, host of the Habits & Hustle podcast, and best-selling author. She has built a career on the premise her frostbitten afternoon proved. She calls the practice the 10% Target: 10 attempts at whatever you want most in life.
The premise is simple. Most people never make one attempt. Almost nobody makes two. The math works in favor of the person who keeps going.
The top-rated Habits & Hustle podcast has logged hundreds of conversations with high performers and the people who study what the body does to the mind. Her TEDx talk, The Secret to Getting Anything You Want in Life, has traveled widely inside Fortune 500 sales-training rooms. On the Share the Lifestyle podcast, Cohen sits down to share the working rules that are the foundation of her latest book, Bigger, Better, Bolder.
“You have to be the CEO of your own life.”
FEATURING JEN COHEN
Discover the full 10% Target Mindset framework.
1 2
MAKE TEN ATTEMPTS
The door opens, or another door does. The unmade attempt and the refused one leave you in the same place — except one of them teaches you something.
STACK THE DECK
Cohen frames her habits as a wager: How do I stack the deck so I win more than I lose? The workout happens first, and the food decisions follow. The email follow-up gets sent, and the answer arrives. The choices compound in a single direction.
3
DISCIPLINE IS A PRACTICED SKILL, NOT AN INHERITANCE
No one is born with it. The people who look disciplined are running a routine they have rehearsed long enough that it no longer feels like effort. The reps are the skill. Miss them, and the skill fades, the same as any other.
4
SELF-TALK ONLY WORKS WHEN THE BODY BACKS IT UP
Confidence does not arrive by repeating the word. It arrives after the body has done the thing — the workout finished, the cold walk endured, the email sent. The mind takes its cues from what the body proves it can do. Talk follows action, not the other way around.
5
NEVER MISS A MONDAY
The first decision sets the slope of the rest. Skip the Monday workout, and the rest of the week tends to follow. Hold the line on Monday, and the slope tilts the other way.
Locally owned and family-operated, DeLisa Waste Services proudly serves Monmouth and Ocean Counties. With decades of experience and a full fleet of trucks, we provide efficient, affordable, and dependable waste collection and recycling services.
JULY 6TH - AUGUST 3RD
Lake Takanassee Summer Series
800 Ocean Ave. N., Long Branch, NJ 07740 | 11:00 AM
A beloved Jersey Shore tradition returns to Long Branch with a weekly summer racing series around the scenic perimeter of Lake Takanassee. Hosted by the Shore Athletic Club, the Monday evening events feature a kids’ 1-mile fun run, a 5K race walk and a 5K run designed for community athletes of all ages. Register at shoreac.org.
JULY 11TH
Best Day Foundation Beach Day
Great Lawn Beach, Ocean Ave. N., Long Branch, NJ 07740 | 7:30 AM
A community beach event hosted by Best Day Foundation brings adaptive surf, beach games and inclusive outdoor activities for children with special needs alongside trained volunteers. The program focuses on confidence-building ocean experiences in a supportive, supervised environment on Long Branch’s waterfront. Sign up at bestdayfoundation.org.
JULY 11TH
Sandstorm DJ Night
The Stone Pony, 913 Ocean Ave. N., Asbury Park, NJ 07712 | 6:00 PM
A high-energy DJ night featuring Louie Devito, Denny Tsettos and DJ Unique transforms The Stone Pony into a club-style dance floor for ages 21 and older. Expect nonstop electronic sets and classic dance tracks at one of New Jersey’s most historic live music venues. Tickets and information are available at stoneponyonline.com.
JULY 16TH
Jared Freid: The “Table for One” Tour
Count Basie Center for the Arts, 99 Monmouth St., Red Bank, NJ 07701 | 7:30 PM
Comedian Jared Freid brings his “Table for One” tour to the Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank, delivering stand-up comedy centered on dating, relationships and modern single life. The performance features crowd work, storytelling and observational humor in an intimate theater setting. View event details at thebasie.org.
JULY 18TH
Billy Currington & Kip Moore
The Stone Pony, 913 Ocean Ave. N., Asbury Park, NJ 07712 | 5:30 PM
A summer country concert featuring Billy Currington and Kip Moore with special guest Kenny Whitmire takes place on The Stone Pony Summer Stage. The outdoor waterfront venue hosts a large crowd for an evening of live country music and festival-style energy. Tickets and information are available at stoneponyonline.com
JULY 25TH
Italian Festival Wine Tasting
Monmouth Park, 175 Oceanport Ave., Oceanport, NJ 07757 | 11:00 AM
A summer festival experience at Monmouth Park features curated Italian wine tastings, regional food offerings and live entertainment set against a day of thoroughbred racing. Guests can sample varietals, explore Italian food pairings and enjoy a seasonal social event on the Jersey Shore. Reserve your spot at monmouthpark.com
