This Week in Morris County

This newsletter is brought to you by the Morris County Board of County Commissioners.

Save the Date: Morris County Memorial Day Ceremony, May 24

Morris County News

Farmland Preservation Program

Supports Local Farm’s Success


Morris County Commissioner Director John Krickus joined the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Alstede Fresh at Lindeken Farms in Jefferson Township this week to present a certificate of congratulations on the grand reopening of a historic farmstand now operating under the Alstede banner. The Alstedes plan to continue the tradition of nourishing New Jersey families.

Dave Cole Jr smiling

Morris County Mourns and Remembers David Cole, Jr.


Morris County mourns the loss of long-time employee David "Dave" Cole, Jr., who passed away earlier this month.


An employee for 31 years, Mr. Cole was one of the MCMUA's longest-serving employees, starting as a truck driver for the curbside recycling program in 1992. His dedicated work ethic and commitment to the job earned him a promotion to Supervisor of the Curbside Recycling program.


Mr. Cole was a family man who left behind his beloved wife, Laura, whom he married in 2007, and their four children.

Morris County Honors Crime Victims


Law enforcement, elected officials and community leaders joined the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office in observing National Crime Victims' Rights Week by honoring the victims and professionals who support them, while highlighting the progress that has been made in light of the challenges still to be overcome to raise awareness for victims’ rights in the face of crime.


May is Sexual Assault Awareness Month


The County Commissioners declared April National Sexual Assault Awareness Month at Wednesday’s public meeting. Director Krickus presented a framed proclamation to members of Atlantic Behavioral Health Team in recognition of work being done to spread awareness, promote prevention and support victims of sexual assault.

Tree planted at library

Morris County Celebrates

Earth Day


With spring in full bloom, there were plenty of reasons to celebrate Earth Day in Morris County last weekend as the Commissioners visited several events and ceremonies.

“Earth day reminds us to take responsible actions towards protecting our planet for present and future generations,” remarked Director Krickus. “This year Morris County also celebrates the 40th anniversary of our farmland preservation program which has preserved more than 8,200 acres at 142 farms.”


People walking biking

Take NJTransit's Survey on Bicycle, Scooter and Pedestrian Access


Take the NJTransit survey on access to transit on foot, bicycle and scooter. Register your opinion through the end of National Bike to Work Week, May 15 – 21.

NJTransit BOGO thru 4/30

Public transportation links for Morris County

Work for NJTransit bus operations with $3,000-$6,000 bonuses. They'll train you for your CDL - commercial drivers license.

Avenues in Motion: May is Bike Month

Bike Right info, classes and videos on the balance method of learning to ride

Become a poll worker.

Poll Workers Needed for Primary


Be a part of your democracy: Become a poll worker. Earn $300 for working on Election Day and $21.44 per hour on in-person early voting days. See our great democracy in action firsthand as you contribute to your local community, state and country. Read the requirements. Training is required.

In-person early voting days for the primary election are June 2-4. Primary Election Day is June 6.

Red white and blue VOTE buttons

Register for the Primary by May 16


Mail-in ballot for the primary election went out April 22 to voters who requested one.

Vote by mail information

Register to vote by May 16 to cast a ballot in the June 6 primary election.

Update your voter registration

Morris County seal with coat of arms

Morris County Public Meetings:


May 2

Board of Elections Commissioners

May 3

Historic Preservation Board

May 4

County Agriculture Development Board

May 10

County Commissioners Work Session

County Commissioners Public Meeting

May 11

Housing Authority

Check municipal websites for town meetings.

morris chamber mccc

Morris Chamber and State Events Connect Businesses


Annual paper shred at Cheshire Home in Florham Park, 4/29. This is a great opportunity to recycle shredded paper. Morris County MUA no longer takes shredded paper in recycling due to facility restrictions.

May Real Estate Forum & General MCEDC Partnership Meeting, 5/2

Garden State Initiative Economic Development Forum, 5/3

Morris County Chamber of Commerce events calendar

NJ Small Business Development Center at Fairleigh Dickinson University/Florham

NJEDA logo

'Show Me the Resources' Webinars Assist Businesses


In honor of Small Business Week, three "Show Me the Resources" webinars are offered by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) and state and federal partners: Join May 1 for Spanish, May 2 for Northern NJ and May 4 for Southern NJ. The workshops will introduce small business owners and entrepreneurs to key state and federal resources that support small business growth: grants and loans;

registering a business in New Jersey;

certifying a business as women-, minority-, or veteran-owned; and accessing free technical assistance and professional mentorship programs. It's free. Register to attend.

National Small Business Week free virtual SBA summit, 5/2-3

2023 State of Women Business Owners, online, 5/4

old refrigerator

Recycle Appliances, Save Energy, Get Rebates and, Maybe, Cash


Appliances, known as "white goods," are state mandated recyclables and the Freon must be removed. Check the Morris MUA website for info on Freon. Call your town for appliance pick up.

Get cash if you let your utility company haul away your old, working refrigerator, dehumidifier and air conditioner. Choose the utility that provides your electricity:

PSEG is offering $100 thru 6/30

JCP&L offers $50

PSEG and JCP&L offer rebates on Energy Star appliances and offer energy-saving programs.

A newer refrigerator or freezer can save $150 in energy costs per year, consuming an average of 1,000 fewer kWh annually than a pre-1990 model.

Morris County MUA's household hazardous waste drop offs start 5/20

News: MUA no longer takes shredded paper in recycling.

ReStore logo

Donate Newer Appliances and Household Goods for Resale


Donate your unwanted furniture, household good and newish appliances to the Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Randolph. Read the donation guidelines and contact the donation office first.

Appliances are always in need at the ReStore and are accepted if they are in good condition and less than 8-10 years old: refrigerators, washers, dryers, dishwashers, free-standing stoves, microwaves and trash compactors.

Hot-water heaters less than 4 years old and vent hoods that are new only.

The store is chock full of furniture, lamps, artwork, housewares, paint, tile, fixtures, tubs, windows, doors, kitchen cabinet sets and more. Shop online.

Habitat for Humanity Women Build Week, Randolph, 5/5-12. No experience necessary.

Donate to or shop at:

Market Street Mission Thrift Store, Morristown

Salvation Army Thrift Store, Dover

boy with social media

Parents: Learn About the Impact of Screens and Social Media


Caring Partners of Morris and Sussex present “The Impact of Screens & Social Media: Keeping Your Kids Healthy & Safe,” by a licensed psychotherapist on May 17 in Rockaway. Light dinner is included. Free. Register to attend.

Helping hand to fellow climber

April is Alcohol Awareness Month


Connect with Hope One if addiction and mental health issues are impacting you or a loved one.

Mental Health Matters newsletter: Alcohol Awareness Month (pdf)

Northern NJ Alcohol Anonymous

New Jersey Al-Anon Family Groups

CARES: Call 973.625.1143 for addiction services, recovery support or Narcan, 24/7

Mental Health Association: 973.334.3496

Peer-to-peer support line, 5-10 p.m.: 877.760.4987

Health care workers

Free Health Fair May 5


Stop by County College of Morris on May 5 for a free health fair sponsored by Atlantic Health System and Morris County Division of Public Health. Get cholesterol, blood pressure and glucose checks, chiropractic assessments or chair massage. Do meditation and yoga. Learn about health topics, tobacco cessation, nutrition. Adults can get a COVID-19 vaccination or booster.

Harding Health Fair, 5/11

Staff outside Navigating Hope van

SNAP Benefits Buy Food


Don't go hungry. SNAP Navigators help people seeking assistance from the State Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Email or call 908-838-4831. Or, visit Morris County's Navigating Hope on an upcoming stop. Morris County Human Services personnel staff the van and can connect you to resources.

Morris County nutrition programs

Hurricane Ida recovery programs

family riding bikes

Human Services Resources


Morris County's Human Services offers public assistance, utilities, mental health and addiction services, job training, prevention services for youth, veterans support, disability services and transportation. Navigating Hope is their office on wheels.

Morris County joins the state to 'Cover All Kids' with health insurance


Stop Teen Suicide website still

Suicide Prevention Programs Offered; Dial 988 for Crisis Line


The Mental Health Association offers FREE suicide prevention programs to schools and community organizations ranging from mental health for 3rd and 4th graders to signs of suicide for middle- and high-school students to programs for school staff, parents and young adults.

Teen suicide prevention site

Dial 988 on your phone to connect to the suicide and crisis line.

In Case You Missed It:

Permanent drop boxes for unwanted med


List of expiration date extensions for at-home COVID-19 tests


Blue Envelope Program assists drivers with Autism Spectrum Disorder (Fb)

Morris County COVID-19 resources


April is peak forest fire season in NJ


NJ Fire Danger Dashboard

Culture & Recreation

Pathways of history 2023

Plan Your Pathways of History Tour


Two dozen Morris County historical sites and museums invite the public to view the best of their ARTifacts during the 2023 Pathways of History Tour, May 6-7. It's free. Collections include fine art, photography, fabric arts, plus antique farming equipment and historic craft and music demonstrations. Plan your treasure-filled tour with downloadable lists, descriptions and maps or follow a ready-made itinerary.

Tulips and the gift shop at Frelinghuysen Arboretum

Visit Morris Parks:


Visit the beautiful gardens and grounds of the historic Frelinghuysen Arboretum with a guided tour on Saturday. Register.

Read the Morris County Parks newsletter with descriptions of this week's events for adults and children, including traditional crafts that make great Mothers Day gifts.

Sign up for the newsletter -- text or email.

Morris Parks horticultural events registration link

Book tickets for 'Born to be Shorn," sheepshearing at Fosterfields, 5/13.

Mennen Sports Arena ice skating and summer camp

Dan Levinson art Morris Museum

Music:


Bruce Williams Jazz Quartet, free, Morris County Library, 4/29

Opera at Florham: The Humanity of Royalty in Opera, FDU, 4/29

CCM Music Performance, 4/28

Swing into Spring with Dan Levinson & Friends, Morris Museum, 4/30

Springtime Songs: European Musical Tour, Chatham Community Band, 4/30

Jefferson Township Community Jazz and Concert Bands concert, 5/1

Orpheus Chamber Orchestra with Chad Hoopes, Morris Museum, 5/3

Harmonium Chamber Singers present "Wellspring," Madison and Maplewood, 5/6-7

Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus art

On Stage:


The Addams Family, Centenary Stage Co., thru 4/30

"They Haven't Got a Clue: A Hilarious Murder Mystery," Budd Lake, thru 4/30

"Time Travel: Fashion Through the Decades, CCM, 5/3

"Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus," The Growing Stage, Netcong, 5/5-21

Harmonium Chamber Singers present "Wellspring," Madison and Maplewood, 5/6-7

John Pizzarelli

Catch the Show at MPAC


Tickets are on sale for summer shows: Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo's Funtastic 2023, Donny Osmond, Bruce Hornsby and the Noisemakers, Three Dog Night, Rufus Wainwright, The Doobie Brothers, Kevin James and Andy Grammer among others.

— This Week: Kristin Chenoweth, "For the Girls," 4/29

NJSO: Symphonie Fantastique, 4/30

— John Pizzarelli Big Band Sings in Tribute to Bucky, 5/5

libraries rock logo

Find it All at the Library


It's a popular weekend for comics conventions. Look no further than the HiawathaCon: Comic Convention April 29 at Lake Hiawatha Branch Library featuring a cosplay contest, the 501st Legion Star Wars characters, the Ecto-1 from "Ghostbusters," Pokemon Go, video games and artists.

— Check your local library for yoga and Thai Chi classes, tech help, foreign language groups, art classes, free museum passes, computer classes, film screenings, libraries of (cool) things to borrow and much more.

Get a library card.

Check Out These Library Events


Bruce Williams Jazz Quartet, free, Morris County Library, 4/29

African-American Genealogy, Morristown, 4/29

Italian Conversation Club, Morris County Library, starts 5/2

Container vegetable gardening, Rockaway Twp, register, 5/2

Chess Club, Morris County Library, 5/3

Birds of Prey - adult program, Rockaway Twp., 5/4

Check library calendars for 'May the Fourth Be With You' eventsHail Poetry! Songs of Gilbert & Sullivan, Morristown, 5/5

Butterfly Book Folding Class, Roxbury, register, 5/7

Creating an energy-efficient house, Harding, 5/8

Eco-Friendly Cleaning presented by Great Swamp Watershed, Pequannock, 5/11

Matisse-Cutout Folded Paper Workshop, Long Hill, register, 5/15

Music: Alighieri Duo: Spotlight from Stage to Screen, Morris County Library, 5/17

Hamilton: The Man, The Musical, The Cultural Phenomenon, Morristown, 5/17

Folded book art - adults, register, Rockaway Twp. 5/18

What is Artificial Intelligence (AI)?, Harding, 5/23

Bad Art, Mt. Olive, 5/25

Maple tree canopy

Celebrate Trees on Arbor Day


This is the last weekend to pick up five free bare-root tree seedlings from the NJ Community Tree Recovery Program, which is free to all state residents. Read the FAQs.

Check your town website for Arbor Day events in your area

Eco-Fest at Academy for Environmental Science, Jefferson Twp., 5/3

Tubbs Lecture: The Rutgers Dogwood Breeding Program, Far Hills, new date 5/20

City street trees mitigate climate change better than expected

Climate change causes cities to rethink their tree mix

List of NJ Dept. of Environmental Protection grant and loan programs

Morris County MUA makes and sells certified compost, wood chips and mulch including compost certified for organic use made locally. Order online or call 973-285-8389.

white flower in bloom

Plant Sales, Yard Sales, Garden Talk


"Nature's Best Hope," recorded author talk, Madison, 4/29

Town-Wide Yard Sales, Madison and The Chathams, 4/29

Green Fair, Madison Train Station, 4/29

Lake Hopatcong Native Plant Sale, order thru 5/4

Frelinghuysen Arboretum Friends plant sale, volunteer or shop, 5/6-7

Tree, gardening and landscaping talks

NJ State Park Service events

Grow It Green seedling sale, Morristown, 5/14

Rutgers Cooperative Extension offers free info and services.

Recycle used plastic plant pots and trays with CoHome at Grow It Green's Seedling Sale, 5/14

Gardeners: Please return empty garden pots to the nursery. Morris County MUA does not accept them in recycling no matter the recycling number.

Burnham Park celebrates 75 years

Frolic at Burnham Park, Kiss a Bulldog and See the Stars

Special Olympics Spring Vendor and Craft Fair is set for April 29 at Sparta High School. Meet the athletes, shop 70+ vendors and food trucks. Don't miss the bulldog kissing booth.

— Enjoy children's events, animals and walks in the park at Family Fun Day, Burnham Park's 75th anniversary celebration on April 29.

Shows this weekend: Longo Planetarium on the CCM campus, Randolph

Hudson Farm Club Spring Charity Hike, free, Hopatcong, 5/13 (Fb)

Deep Space Astrophography with Mike Dzwinczyk, Morris Museum, register, 5/13

Save the Date: Lake Hopatcong Block Party, 5/20

Morristown Sewing School exhibit, Acorn Hall Morristown, thru 5/28

Grow it Green

Party for Charity: Derby Gala, Happy Hours, ArcMorris Awards


Grow It Green, Spring into Action online auction and brewpub event, 5/1

Museum of Early Trades & Crafts, Happy Hour Fundraiser, Whippany, 5/2

County College of Morris Derby Daze Gala, 5/4

ArcMorris Annual Awards Gala, Randolph, 5/17

Mansion in May Three Fields

Mansion in May Opens May 1


The 2023 Mansion in May is at Mendham's Three Fields, where 29 interior designers and 14 landscape designers have transformed indoor and outdoor spaces throughout the elegant French manor and sprawling estate. The event benefits The Women's Association for Morristown Medical Center to fund an expansion of the Institute of Bioskills Training and Innovation.

CCM Fine Arts professor's work on exhibit at Mansion in May.

Find More Fun:

Morris Tourism

Morris County Visitor's Guide - pdf

Morris County historical orgs, museums

State parks, forests, historical sites

Hike Morris Parks

NJ visitors guide, from state tourism

New Jersey is home to 11 National Parks

Search the VisitNJ.org site under Skylands for Morris County events

Crossroads of the American Revolution self-guided audio tours

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