Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How massive Parkway changes could reshape driving in and around Toms River

Make time for Living Well with Lung Disease: Webinars for Patients and Families on the Toms River Patch calendar

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Tuesday September 29th Patch AM
Tuesday September 29th Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Hello Toms River! Here's our latest buzz. Let's get into it. ☕️️

Before we get to what's happening, a big thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Toms River PatchAM possible. Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

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In today's newsletter:

  • How massive Parkway changes could reshape driving in and around Toms River
  • Want to hear Louis Armstrong's Hot Five come alive in Toms River?
  • Which Toms River spot made Ocean County's French onion soup shortlist?

Also on today's calendar: Living Well with Lung Disease: Webinars for Patients and Families and 15 more events.

Today's riddle: What do you call a one-legged Big Foot? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Tuesday: Variable clouds, with a high of 72 and low of 55 degrees.
  • Wednesday: Pleasant with clouds and sun, temps: high: 74, low: 59.
  • Thursday: Warm and humid with some sun, with a high of 82 and low of 64 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Public Questions Garden State Parkway Changes (jerseyshoreonline.com) — Major Garden State Parkway changes are coming to the Toms River stretch, with new collector-distributor lanes, renumbered exits, redesigned ramps, and possible sound walls that could reshape your daily commute and neighborhood noise. The multi-phase, multi-year project from Exit 78.8 to 84.5 will alter access at Exits 80–83, and officials are still accepting public comments on design, traffic, and environmental impacts.
   

2. Grunin Center's "Jazz on a Sunday Afternoon" Celebrates 100 Years of Louis Armstrong's Hot Five Recordings (newjerseystage.com) — Toms River jazz lovers can catch a special Louis Armstrong tribute at the Jay and Linda Grunin Center for the Arts on Sunday, November 8, 2026, at 3 p.m. The "Jazz on a Sunday Afternoon" concert, guided by noted jazz scholars, will feature trumpeter Andrew Stephens, with tickets priced for adults, seniors, and students through the Grunin Center box office.
   

3. Best French Onion Soup in Ocean County: 4 Favorites (wobm.com) — French onion soup fans in Toms River will be glad to know Four Seasons made the short list of Ocean County's favorite spots for this comfort-food classic. The feature highlights four top-voted restaurants, with Stone Fire Grille in Beachwood leading the pack and Four Seasons standing out as a local favorite worth a visit.
   

4. Atlantic Cape culinary students earn $7,500 scholarships in cooking competition (shorelocalnews.com) — A Toms River High School student, Payton Sinou, has earned a $7,500 culinary scholarship after winning Atlantic Cape Community College's Vincent DeFinis Restaurant Gala competition with her great-grandmother's pumpkin bread recipe. The story follows her local culinary training, future bakery dreams, and the support this award provides, alongside fellow winner Jazmin de La Rosa Andujar from Galloway.
   

5. Brick Man Suspected of Assisting Murder Suspect Turns Himself In (shorebeat.com) — A Toms River murder investigation has expanded, as a Brick Township man accused of helping the alleged shooter turned himself in at Toms River police headquarters. Prosecutors say the case centers on a September 18 shooting outside the Route 37 Wawa, with the suspected gunman from Toms River still at large and several area residents charged with assisting him afterward.
   

📸 Around Toms River

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Toms River

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★ Featured events ★

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Other local events

📣 Toms River Shout Outs!

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Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Rhythm 'N' Sound to Bring Musical Revue Concert to the Berkeley Library —Dan Fitzgerald Read on Patch
  • Meet Your Local Firefighters at the Waretown Library —Dan Fitzgerald Read on Patch
  • I usually have the Lowe's/Home depot service plan but they're $29.
    99/$99.99 prices usually come with a surprise additional charges. Anyone recommend a company to service my HVAC for semiannual maintenance. (Nextdoor Pine Lake Park)
  • Please give more your opinion on this sign BJs Wholesale club is running a 42% savings on Ham and Cheese at the Deli department.
    I ordered a 1/2 pound of each and was instructed to read the sign and told by the deli clerk the discount required 1# of each minimum to receive the… (Nextdoor Indian Hill Section)
  • Bath Planet - BCI Acrylic, Inc. posted a job opening for In Home Sales/Design Consultant in Toms River. Apply here.
  • Kohl's posted a job opening for Seasonal Retail Sales Associate 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: Hop Squatch! (Thank you Terri R. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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