This edition of our Mercer Monthly newsletter highlights County government news as well as events that are taking place in December. You’ll find an announcement calling for artists for an exciting mural project in the City of Trenton, resources to support your mental health during the holidays, and deadlines for our annual holiday toy drive for local children.

Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes invites county residents, businesses and civic groups to join Mercer County employees in their annual Holiday Toy Drive. Toys can be dropped off at a number of convenient locations around the county, and the Mercer County Park Commission will ensure your gift goes directly to a deserving area child.

“The holidays are upon us, and as you shop for your friends and family, I encourage you to consider adding to your list a gift for a child whose family might be struggling at this time of year,” Mr. Hughes said. “Even the smallest or simplest item can bring a smile to a child’s face, so let's make this year's collection bigger than ever.” Click here or the flyer for drop-off locations. 

For information, call (609) 303-0700.

Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes and the Mercer County Division of Culture & Heritage announce that Mercer County has a public art Request for Qualifications on the CaFÉ (Call for Entry) website www.callforentry.org.

The County is issuing a Request for Qualifications (Phase 1), inviting artists/artist teams who wish to be considered to submit by Dec. 8, 2023 their interest and qualifications for the creation of a public mural. This mural is to be installed on an exterior 319 ft (w) x 19 ft (h) wall located at 600 Cass Street, Trenton, NJ, on the New Jersey State Prison. This project is known as the Mercer County Cass Street Prison Mural Project.

"Mercer County Office of Economic Development is proud to draw attention to the Mercer County Small Business Investment Program in partnership with SMBX," announced Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes.

Through this partnership, eligible small businesses in Mercer County can apply to issue Small Business Bonds™ to their community. A bond is like a loan, but instead of borrowing money from a bank, you borrow money from everyday investors, like customers, friends and family.

SMBX supports small businesses from all industries across the US and have raised millions of dollars for restaurants, breweries, accountants, trucking companies, event planners, and others.

To learn more about the program, click here, and don’t forget to shop small this holiday season!

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 here.

The holidays are usually viewed as a time of happiness and rejoicing. But for some people, it can be a period of painful reflection, sadness, lonlieness, anxiety and depression.

Even people who love the holidays can experience the blues during this busy season. The holidays are often a time of high emotion and demands, which can leave a lot of people feeling stressed and exhausted. 

The new 3-digit dialing code, 988, is 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/

Lace up your skates!

The Mercer County Skating Center, located in Mercer County Park in West Windsor, is open for the 2023-2024 season. Find the complete public skating schedule, as well information on skating lessons and private parties, here or call 609-371-1766.

Other upcoming events and shows include: 

• Jui Jitsu World League Northeast Open, Dec. 2
• Trenton Punk Rock Flea Market, Dec. 9-10
• PAW Patrol Live! "The Great Pirate Adventure," Jan. 5-7, 2024
• Hot Wheels Monster Trucks LIVE Glow Party, Feb. 9-11, 2024
• Red, White and Brew Fest, Feb. 17
• East Coast Indoor Dirt Nationals, Feb. 23-24
• Harlem Globetrotters, March 1, 2024
• Disney on Ice, March 21-24

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