This edition of our Mercer Monthly newsletter highlights County government news as well as events that are coming up in October. You’ll find information on the new Ropes Course and Zipline at Mercer County Park; an announcement about the County’s home energy assistance program for lower-income residents; a call for nominations for the County’s Woman of Achievement and Young Woman of Achievement awards; and more.

The Mercer County Park Commission has contracted with the Philadelphia Outward Bound School to oversee programming for the inaugural fall season of the Ropes Course and Zipline operations for patrons 12 and older.

The ropes course at Mercer County Park contains 12 “challenges” or elements, including the Zigzag, Swinging Logs, and the Postman’s Walk. Each challenge gives the participant the opportunity to use their balance, focus and teamwork skills.

Ropes Course Programing will be offered on a limited number of dates through mid-November. Read more.

Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes and the Mercer County Commission on the Status of Women are seeking nominations for the 2024 Woman of Achievement and Young Woman of Achievement awards. The public is encouraged to assist in identifying outstanding individuals who give back to their community and to submit the name of a deserving woman or young woman. The deadline for submitting nominations is Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2023.

The Woman of Achievement Award was established to honor Mercer County residents who volunteer their time to make the county a better place to live, raise a family and work. The Young Woman of Achievement Award honors a high school student for their outstanding volunteer work within the county. Read more.

Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes is reminding residents that assistance is available for energy costs for those who qualify. The County’s Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), offered in coordination with the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, allows individuals meeting various income qualifications to apply for bill payment assistance, energy crisis assistance and energy-related home repairs.

LIHEAP is designed to help low-income families and individuals meet home heating and medically necessary cooling costs. This year, the application period is Oct. 2, 2023, to June 28, 2024. To be eligible for LIHEAP benefits, the applicant household must be responsible for home heating or cooling costs, either directly or included in the rent; and have gross income at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level. An eligibility chart in English and Spanish can be found on the Mercer County website. Read more.

The Mercer County Park Commission is conducting deer management at Mercer County Park, Mercer Meadows and Baldpate Mountain. This program is a method for reducing the overabundant deer herd in the greater Mercer County region.  

Bow hunting, which began at all parks Sept. 9, and will take place Monday through Saturday until Feb. 17. The parks will remain open when only bow hunting is being performed.  

Firearm hunting will occur at Baldpate Mountain and the area north of Lake Mercer at Mercer County Park beginning Monday, Dec. 4 through Saturday, Dec. 9, and every Wednesday through Saturday thereafter through Feb. 10. The parks/regions will be closed to the public when firearms are in use. There will be no hunting on Sunday.  

Hunting is only permitted by those who have applied for and met all the requirements to participate in the program. Read more.

TRENTON — As Fire Prevention Week approaches, Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes is taking this opportunity to remind residents that there are simple but important actions they can take to keep themselves and those around them safe.

Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 8-14, is sponsored by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), and this year’s campaign, “Cooking safety starts with YOU. Pay attention to fire prevention,” works to educate everyone about simple but important actions they can take to keep themselves and those around them safe when cooking. 

TRENTON — Most Mercer County government offices and facilities, including all branches of the Mercer County Library System, will be closed Monday, Oct. 9, 2023, in observance of Columbus 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 Columbus Day: Tennis Center, 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.; all County golf courses, 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; and Mercer County Stables, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Wildlife Center will accept patients, by appointment only, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Wildlife Center’s Outdoor Education Environment will be open for free self-guided tours from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Capital City Farm, Howell Living History Farm, Howell Farm corn maze, Tulpehaking Nature Center and Park Commission administrative offices will be closed. For more information on Park Commission facilities, visit www.mercercounty.org/parks.

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: 

• Aishwarya Majmudar, Oct. 7
• Duelo de Acordeones, Nov. 25
• Jersey Jam! Princeton v. Rutgers Men's Basketball, Nov. 6.
• Jui Jitsu World League Northeast Open, Dec. 2
• PAW Patrol Live! "The Great Pirate Adventure," Jan. 5-7, 2024
• Hot Wheels Monster Trucks LIVE Glow Party, Feb. 9-11, 2024

TICKET ORDERS

The Lawrence Hopewell Trail (LHT) and Mercer County Park Commission will host their eighth Full Moon Bike Ride on Saturday, Sept. 30, at Rosedale Lake in Mercer Meadows, Hopewell Township.

The six-mile loop ride on the LHT and other Mercer Meadow trails will offer a magical experience, with twinkling lights under a tree canopy, live music along the trail, glow-in-the-dark features, and a campfire with s’mores near Rosedale Lake. Enter the bike decorating contest for a chance to win fabulous prizes.

The Full Moon Bike Ride begins at 7:30 p.m. with a special sendoff near the Rosedale Lake parking area, though participants are welcome to arrive later. Registration will open at 7 p.m., as does the campfire and music. Participants are welcome to arrive early and bring a picnic dinner. Read more.

Founded in Trenton, the seed that grew the small opera company  was planted in 1981 in the form of a musicians’ guild called The Boheme Club, named after a favorite opera by composer, Giacomo Puccini. Developed by Trenton conductor/educator Joseph Pucciatti and his wife, concert pianist, opera lecturer and teacher Sandra Milstein-Pucciatti, the Club presented eight evolutionary years of concert series, outdoor festivals and dinner opera, before evolving into a full-scale opera producer and presenter, Boheme Opera, in 1989.

Now in its milestone 35th season, Boheme Opera NJ has enriched the region with accessible, affordable and artistically professional opera. 

For information on the upcoming season, visit the Boheme Opera website at https://www.bohemeopera.org/