The Summer 2023 edition of our Mercer Monthly newsletter highlights County government news as well as events that are coming up in July and August. You’ll find an announcement about the County’s intent to purchase and preserve almost 50 acres of land that abuts the Curlis Lake portion of Mercer Meadows; a call for project entries at the annual Mercer County 4-H Show; and tips on what you can do to protect yourself and your family from mosquitoes this summer.

Mercer County is moving ahead with a plan to purchase almost 50 acres on Blackwell Road in Hopewell Township, announced County Executive Brian M. Hughes.

"This is an important acquisition for us in that it abuts the Curlis Lake portion of Mercer Meadows and will provide an additional entry point to our county park and to Curlis Lake itself," Mr. Hughes said. 

The property will provide additional public land, preserve critical habitat and provide a new connection to the popular Mercer Meadows section. 

Previously, the land had been purchased by Penneast Pipeline Co. for the proposed gas pipeline, a project since abandoned after years of public protest. 

The County will acquire the property at a cost of $1.165 million. Funding is available through the Mercer County Open Space Preservation Trust Fund and is eligible for a 50 percent grant through the Green Acres program. 

The County Commissioner Board on June 8, 2023 approved a resolution in support of the sale.

Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes encourages residents to showcase their creative talents and skills by entering a project to exhibit at this year’s Mercer County 4-H Fair, planned for July 29 and 30 at Howell Living History Farm in Hopewell Township.

Any project created this past year can be entered in the fair, including arts and crafts, photography, gardening, clothing, baking, woodworking and more. There are many “Open Division” categories for public entries (youth and adult) – you do not need to be a 4-H member to exhibit.

Please visit http://mercer.njaes.rutgers.edu/4h/fair, where you will find more details about exhibiting at the fair and a complete schedule. Projects will be received from the general public for entry in the fair on Thursday, July 27, from 3 to 7 p.m. at Howell Farm.  In addition to judging by experts, fairgoers will vote on their favorite exhibits in each category on Saturday, July 29, and those receiving the most votes will be recognized on Sunday, July 30. Read more.

Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes, along with the Office on Aging and Division of Culture and Heritage, is pleased to present the 2023 Mercer County Senior Art Show from July 28 through Aug. 15 at The Conference Center at Mercer at Mercer County Community College.

Any Mercer County resident age 60 or older may submit one entry that has been completed in the past three years. Artwork must be the original work of the applicant and must not have been previously entered into the County show. The categories included in the 2023 Mercer County Senior Art Show are acrylic, craft, digital art, mixed media, oil, pastel, photography, print, sculpture, watercolor, and works on paper (drawing).

Registration through the Office on Aging ends July 17 at 11:59 p.m. Artwork should be delivered to The Conference Center at Mercer on July 24 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Read more.

Summer's most unwelcome guest, the mosquito, is here, and even though Mercer County runs a highly sophisticated Mosquito Control program to safeguard the health of residents, mosquitoes remain a reality throughout the warmer months.

“While our crews can help mitigate the nuisance, mosquitoes are a backyard problem, and community involvement is crucial for success in controlling them,” said Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes. “I urge our residents to take some simple measures, such as eliminating standing water in and around their homes, to protect themselves and their families from mosquitoes.” Read more.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the state and federal governments created programs and increased funds to protect and assist those financially affected. In response, supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) benefits temporarily increased. With the National Public Health Emergency (PHE) having ended May 11, 2023, many programs and protections are ending, leaving recipients concerned about what's next. 

Most Mercer County government offices and facilities, including all branches of the Mercer County Library System, will be closed Tuesday, July 4, in observance of Independence Day.

The following County facilities will remain open: Trenton-Mercer Airport (except administrative offices), Correction Center, Sheriff’s Office and Emergency Services Communications Center.

The following Mercer County Park Commission facilities will be open on July 4: Hopewell Valley Pool, 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Mercer County Park Marina and Spray Park, noon to 6 p.m.; Tennis Center, 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; and County golf courses, 6 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. The Wildlife Center will accept patients by appointment only from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. -- the Outdoor Education Environment will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with no appointment necessary. Howell Living History Farm, Capital City Farm, Mercer County Stables, Tulpehaking Nature Center and Park Commission administrative offices will be closed. For more information on Park Commission facilities, visit www.mercercounty.org/parks.

Discover Mercer Lake by boat

What says summer more than a day on the water? The Mercer County Park Marina boat rental is now open for the season. Come out and enjoy the boat rentals at the Marina and explore Mercer Lake with pedal and rowboats and single and double person kayaks. There is no swimming permitted in Mercer Lake, and boat rentals are weather permitting. For any questions or concerns, please call the Marina Office at (609) 448-4007 or visit their webpage at www.mercercountyparks.org.

Summer is here. Experience nature!

Registration is now open for the 2023 Summer nature programs! Click here or on the image for a copy of the brochure. Just a few Summer highlights include: 

• Kayak Nature Tours, July 7 & 21, 9 a.m. to noon, Mercer County Park Marina. $30 in county; $35 out of county. Age 16+. Other dates available.
• Insect Discovery, Saturday, July 15, 8 to 10 p.m.,  Spring Lake at Roebling Park. All ages. 
• Family Sundays at the Nature Center – second, third and fourth Sundays from 2 to 2:45 p.m., Tulpehaking Nature Center, 157 Westcott Ave., Hamilton. Free, all ages. No registration.
• “Pontoon Boat Nature Tours” – July 5 & 19, Aug. 16 & 23 (weather permitting), 8:30 to 10 a.m. or 10:30 a.m. to noon, Mercer County Park Marina. $10 adult, $8 senior in county, $12 out of county/$10 seniors. All ages. Boat seats 15 people. Registration required. Other dates available.
• Nocturnal Nature, Friday, Aug. 18, 7:30 to 9 p.m., Howell Living History Farm. Free. All ages. 

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

Upcoming shows at Mercer's CURE Arena!

Mercer County's CURE Insurance Arena's 2023 schedule has something for everyone. Upcoming events and shows include: 

• Kapil Sharma, July 15
• Ring Of Honor: Death Before Dishonor, July 21
• Ayushmann Khurrana & Neeti Mohan, July 22
• Sid Sriram, Sept 10
• Monster High Live! Dec. 1-3

TICKET ORDERS

In 1889, Lenox was formed by Walter Scott Lenox in partnership with Jonathan Coxen Sr. of the Ceramic Art Company. In 1906, Lenox acquired the entire company and began a new one using his name. Lenox, for a time, was considered the best china in the world, and today it is still as famous. Lenox's first big sale went to Tiffany's in New York, and in 1917, President Woodrow Wilson commissioned a 1,700-piece set for the White House. This established a precedent, and Lenox was used by Presidents Harding, Coolidge, Hoover, Franklin D. Roosevelt and Truman. Many presidents since Truman have ordered individual pieces, including an entire set for the White House ordered by President Reagan, to replace the set Truman had. Although Lenox is no longer in Mercer County, it is still treasured by many.

Photo: Potteries of Trenton Society, Lenox China Whitehouse for Ronald Reagan. https://potteriesoftrentonsociety.org/gallery/