Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: How could a new Whitesville Road shul change North Dover?
Coming up on the Toms River Patch calendar: School of Rock Summer Season Showcase

Good morning Toms River! We're back again in your inbox, keeping you updated with what's happening in and around town. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- How could a new Whitesville Road shul change North Dover?
- Which classics will Chris Pinnella bring to Toms River this fall?
- Toms River OCC nursing students: a new way to fund your degree
Also on today's calendar: School of Rock Summer Season Showcase and 13 more events.
Today's riddle: What is the difference between a jeweler and a jailer? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Thursday: A heavy t-storm in the p.m., with a high of 83 and low of 68 degrees.
- Friday: Cloudy, a thunderstorm; humid, temps: high: 84, low: 65.
- Saturday: Clouds and sun; less humid, with a high of 80 and low of 63 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Toms River Zoning Board To Hear Application For New Shul On Whitesville Road (vinnews.com) — Toms River's zoning board will consider a proposal on September 10 for a new Orthodox Jewish shul on Whitesville Road in the North Dover section, where a small house-based congregation already operates. The application seeks several variances, and residents can review documents in advance and speak during the public comment portion of the evening hearing at the municipal complex.
![]()
2. The Chris Pinnella Big Band Project (newjerseystage.com) — A big band benefit concert is coming to the Grunin Center at Ocean County College in Toms River on November 6, bringing acclaimed vocalist Chris Pinnella and a 14-piece ensemble to town. The one-night-only show reimagines classics from Sinatra to Queen while raising funds for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul's work supporting families in need across the region.
![]()
3. OCC Nursing Students Gain New Financial Aid Option (jerseyshoreonline.com) — Nursing students at Ocean County College in Toms River will soon qualify for interest-free loans and extra support through New Jersey's Pay It Forward Program. Starting fall 2026, eligible students can cover tuition, get living stipends and services, and repay into a fund that helps future nursing students statewide.
![]()
4. PHOTOS: Full-Scale Emergency Response Exercise Held at Community Medical Center (thelakewoodscoop.com) — Community Medical Center in Toms River just ran a full-scale emergency drill simulating a mass-casualty incident and a highly contagious disease case. Local EMS, emergency management, and public safety agencies joined forces to test surge capacity, communication, and safety procedures so they're better prepared for real crises.
![]()
5. SEABREEZE Ford/The Jeep Store Week 0 Shore Conference Football Scoreboard (shoresportsinsider.com) — Shore Conference football kicks off with several games involving Toms River teams, including Manchester at Toms River East today and Toms River North traveling to Northern Highlands on Friday. Toms River South also hosts Freehold Boro, giving local fans multiple chances to catch early-season action close to home.
![]()
📸 Around Toms River
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Toms River
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- School of Rock Summer Season Showcase →
Water Street Bar & Grille, 4 Robbins Pkwy, Toms River
12:00 pm - NEW EVENT: Cooking Class and Dinner Buffet with the Innkeeper →
Mathis House a Victorian Bed & Breakfast and Tea Room, 600 Main St, Toms River
7:00 pm - Summer Victorian Afternoon Tea →
Mathis House a Victorian Bed & Breakfast and Tea Room, 600 Main St, Toms River
11:00 am - School of Rock Summer Season Showcase →
Beachcomber Bar & Grill, 100 Ocean Terrace, Seaside Heights
12:00 pm - An Afternoon of Opera Arias →
500 Lake Ave, Bay Head
4:00 pm - A Night Under the Stars, Italian Dinner with Live Music →
600 Main St, Toms River
7:00 pm - Broadway Name that Tune Teatime Bingo →
600 Main St, Toms River
6:00 pm - 80's Night Murder Mystery Dinner Party →
600 Main St, Toms River
7:00 pm
Saturday August 29
Sunday August 30
Saturday September 5
Wednesday September 9
Saturday September 12
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Bingo →
American Legion Post 129, 1151 S 4th St, Jacksonville Beach
6:30 pm - Art Chat →
Ocean County Artists Guild, 22 Chestnut Ave, Island Heights
5:00 pm - A Night Under the Stars, Italian Dinner With Live Music →
600 Main St, Toms River
7:00 pm - Happy Hands Art Club 8/29 →
Ocean County Artists Guild, 22 Chestnut Ave, Island Heights
10:45 am - Game Night at the Cat Lounge →
40 Main St, Toms River
6:00 pm - August Free Family Fun Night (FFFN) - BlueClaws Baseball →
2 Stadium Way, Lakewood
6:00 pm - Group Stand Up Paddleboard with Coastline Adventures & Toms River Recreation →
Shelter Cove Park, 1390 Bay Ave, Toms River
9:00 am - Sunday Portrait Drawing Workshop →
Ocean County Artists Guild, 22 Chestnut Ave, Island Heights
2:00 pm
Thursday August 27
Friday August 28
Saturday August 29
Sunday August 30
📣 Toms River Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Toms River PatchAM possible:
- Klarr Transport Service Inc — (732) 905-5100
- De Lareau Studio — (732) 998-8729
- Sit Stay And Beyond LLC — (908) 656-4286
- Sit Stay And Beyond LLC — 9086564286
- Carfagno Professional Painting LLC — (609) 224-0235
- Insurcomm Restoration — (866) 708-5357
- Mathis House Bed & Breakfast and Victorian Tea Room — (732) 818-7580
- Liberty Door and Awning — (732) 286-3667
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Get Groovy with the Strictly 60s Band at the Ocean County Library's Bay Head Branch —Dan Fitzgerald Read on Patch
- Big Book Sale to Benefit the Friends of the Island Library —Dan Fitzgerald Read on Patch
- Guest Column —YMCA of the Jersey Shore Read on Patch
- Can anyone recommend someone that does a good job and is reasonable to trim bushes, pull weeds etc.
We had someone in mind but he is not answering his phone so we are at a loss. (Nextdoor Holiday Heights) - Is this a fox?
He look like he's starving. Is there anyone I should call? (Nextdoor Holiday City Berkley)
- BoxLunch / Hot Topic posted a job opening for Part-Time Assistant Manager - Level 1 in Toms River. Apply here.
- U-Haul International, Inc. posted a job opening for Customer Service Representative in Toms River. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Toms River here.
Ok Toms River! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: A jeweler sells watches and a jailer watches cells. (Thank you Jean D. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
👉 Help make Patch AM better
- Help us grow by suggesting local news sources.
- Shape this newsletter with your feedback.
- List items for sale or services offered
We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what's happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.