This edition of our Mercer Monthly newsletter highlights County government news as well as events that are taking place in the coming month. You’ll find announcements about the winners in this year’s Mercer County Senior Art Show, which is being held through Aug. 5 at Mercer County Community College; what you should do to prepare for hurricane season; a new three-digit dialing code for mental health crisis and suicide prevention; and more.

A professional juror has selected the winners from 107 entries in this year’s Mercer County Senior Art Show, which is being held through Aug. 5 at The Conference Center at Mercer on Mercer County Community College’s West Windsor Campus. The exhibition can be viewed here on the Mercer County website.

“Mercer County is fortunate to have so many older adults who tap into their creativity to construct new works of art,” said Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes. “I commend everyone who entered their work in the County show and thank them for sharing their artistic talent with us.”

As the peak period for hurricane and tropical storm activity in New Jersey arrives, Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes advises County residents to plan and prepare for potential storms this summer and fall.

 The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30, but the peak time for hurricane and tropical storm activity in New Jersey is mid-August to late October. When they approach land, tropical storms and hurricanes can be extremely deadly and destructive — even as far inland as Mercer County.

“In Mercer County, we have first-hand experience with how devastating hurricanes and tropical storms can be, as we experienced last September when the remnants of Hurricane Ida wreaked havoc in several of our communities,” Mr. Hughes said. “It’s essential that you and your family be ready before a storm strikes, and not put yourselves or others at risk by waiting until the last minute to prepare.”

Read More: Hughes advises residents to prepare for hurricane season

Forty-three cadets who made up the 27th basic class of police officers took part in the Mercer County Police Academy commencement held July 14 in the gymnasium at Mercer County Community College (MCCC).

An audience of several hundred family members, friends, Mercer County dignitaries and law enforcement officials from around State of New Jersey saw the cadets receive graduation certificates to officially make them police officers.

The graduates endured 21 weeks of training at the academy in all aspects of law enforcement and will now serve in police agencies within Mercer County and elsewhere (see complete list below). The academy, which was created in October 2006, is located on the grounds of MCCC.

Read More: Mercer Police Academy graduates 27th class of officers

The Federal Communications Commission recently approved a new 3-digit dialing code, 988, for mental health crisis and suicide prevention.  988 will connect people to the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Compassionate, accessible care and support will be available for anyone experiencing mental health-related distress, thoughts of suicide, mental health or substance use crisis. People can also dial 988 if they are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support.

The 988 line will operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for calls, texts, and chat. Learn more at www.nj.gov/humanservices/dmhas/initiatives/988/

The Mercer County Office on Aging/Aging & Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) is the federally designated agency responsible for the assessment, development and funding distribution of programs/services for those 60 years of age or older in Mercer County. To comply with the Older Americans Act of 1965, an annual survey to determine the needs of the aging community is to be done and its results are to be incorporated into the agency’s Area Plan Contact.

Mercer County residents, older adults and caregivers can complete this survey by responding to the Office on Aging’s Needs Assessment by Sept. 30 here.

Responding to this survey will allow the Office of Aging to get a snapshot of the needs of the Mercer County aging community for its plan.

Thank you for your interest and assistance in this effort!

For more information or if you require a paper copy of the needs assessment, please visit the Mercer County Office on Aging and Aging & Disability Resource Connection web pages, email adrc@mercercounty.org or call 609-989-6661.

Mercer County Park now offers Bike Rentals! Please visit the Marina to reserve your bike. Children and Adult rentals are both $5/per hour. Each additional hour is $3/per hour. Please visit the Park Commission website for more information on Bike Rentals. 

It's summertime. Experience nature!

Upcoming Mercer County Park Commission nature programs include:

• “Pontoon Boat Nature Tours” – Wednesday, Aug. 3, 17 and 24, 8:30 to 10 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. to noon, Mercer County Park Marina (weather permitting). $10 in county, $12 out of county. Ages 6 and up. Boat seats 15 people. Registration required.
• “Just-A-Hike” – Friday, Aug. 5, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., Mercer County Park at Marina lot. Free, teens and adults. Spaces are limited; registration required.
• “Sundays at the Nature Center” – Aug. 7, 14, 21 and 28, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., Tulpehaking Nature Center. Free, families with children. Spaces are limited; registration required.

For a complete list of Park Commission nature programs and registration information, click here or on the image.

National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live. The following local events are planned for Tuesday, Aug. 2:

• East Windsor – EW Police Athletic League complex, 30 Airport Road, 6 to 9 p.m. Click for information
• Ewing – Ewing Senior and Community Center, 999 Lower Ferry Road, 5:30 to 8 p.m. Click for information
• Hamilton – Veterans Park, South Entrance, 2262 Kuser Road, 5 to 8 p.m. Click for information
• Hopewell Township – Stony Brook Elementary School, 20 Stephenson Road, 6 to 8 p.m. Click for information
• Lawrence – Municipal Building, 2207 Lawrence Road, 5:30 to 8 p.m. Click for information
• Robbinsville – Police Department, 1117 Route 130, 6 to 9 p.m. Click link to Robbinsville's Facebook page for more information.
• Trenton – Cadwalader Park at West State Street and Parkside Avenue, 5 to 9 p.m. Click for information

Just Announced! Arena to welcome new professional Box Lacrosse Team this fall. Read more.

Other upcoming events and shows include: 

• Sanju Baba Chale Amerika, Aug. 27
• GHOST "Imperatour," Sept. 9
• Showfest, Sept. 17
• Jeff Dunham: Seriously?! Oct. 23 (rescheduled)

TICKET ORDERS

Did you know?

The official name of the "Trenton Makes" Bridge is actually the Lower Trenton Bridge.  In 1935, the words "TRENTON MAKES, THE WORLD TAKES" were installed on the south-facing side of the bridge. Coined by S. Roy Heath in 1910 as the slogan for the City of Trenton, the phrase represented the pride felt by the citizens of Trenton, a major manufacturing center for china, rubber, wire rope, and cigars at the time. 

A helping hand for homeowners in need

If you have experienced a financial hardship and an increase in housing-related expenses associated with the coronavirus pandemic that created a risk of mortgage delinquency, mortgage default, foreclosure or property tax lien, the Homeowner Assistance Fund may be able to help. Click here or on the flyer for more information and to apply.

As a result of COVID-19, many New Jerseyans are facing economic insecurity and are seeking benefits and resources to help them safely get back to work. Mercer’s One-Stop Career Center offers a variety of services to job seekers throughout the county, including free virtual job preparation workshops and links to job listings. Click here for information. The State’s COVID-19 Information Hub provides links to the New Jersey Career Network and other resources.Click here for information.