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You know the moment. Your alarm goes off, you swing your legs over the side of the bed, put your feet on the floor - and the second you shift any weight onto your heel, a sharp, stabbing pain shoots up from the bottom of your foot. You stand there for a few seconds trying not to hobble to the bathroom. After a minute or two of walking around, the pain fades to a dull ache and you mostly forget about it... until the next time you've been sitting for a while. Then it's right back.
If that's your morning - or your afternoon, after a long meeting - you probably already have a pretty good guess what's going on. Plantar fasciitis is the single most common cause of heel pain in adults, and it has a signature pattern that almost everyone who has it can describe inside the first minute of a visit.
The problem is that knowing what you have isn't the same as knowing how to fix it. Most people cycle through a few rounds of Dr.-Googled stretches, a new pair of sneakers, and a couple of weeks of taking it easy - and the pain either doesn't improve, or it comes right back the moment they return to normal life.
At NJ Sports Spine and Wellness in Middletown, NJ, heel pain and plantar fasciitis are two of the most common reasons patients come through our door. We've seen hundreds of cases - from the weekend runner who's been hurting for three weeks to the nurse who's been dealing with it for two years. Here's what we can tell you up front: this is treatable. And for the overwhelming majority of patients, it's treatable without surgery - even the chronic cases. Let's talk about what's actually going on and what works.
The plantar fascia is a thick band of connective tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot, from your heel bone to the base of your toes. It acts like a bowstring, supporting your arch and absorbing shock every time you take a step. When it's working the way it should, you don't think about it. When it's irritated - from overuse, repetitive strain, a sudden jump in activity, or poor foot mechanics - it develops micro-tears and inflammation where it attaches to your heel bone. That's where the pain comes from: not the heel bone itself, but the tissue that pulls on it with every step.
The morning pain has a simple mechanism behind it. While you sleep, your foot rests in a pointed position, which lets the plantar fascia shorten. When you stand up and load that first step, the fascia stretches suddenly - and if it has micro-tears, that first stretch hurts. A few minutes of walking warms the tissue and the pain eases. Sit at your desk for an hour, and the cycle repeats.
The pattern is predictable. The treatment, unfortunately, is not - because what works depends on why your plantar fascia got irritated in the first place, and how long it's been going on.
Plantar fasciitis gets most of the blame for heel pain, but it's not the only cause - and treating plantar fasciitis when the real problem is a stress fracture is a good way to make things significantly worse. Other conditions that can present as heel pain include:
Pain location and timing usually tell us a lot. Plantar fasciitis hurts at the bottom of the heel, worst first thing in the morning. Achilles-related pain hurts at the back of the heel. Stress fractures tend to hurt constantly, worsen with every step, and are tender when you squeeze the heel from the sides. Getting the diagnosis right is the first job - the treatments for each of these are different.
Common signs it's time to come in:
If you've already been rolling a frozen water bottle, stretching every morning, and wearing new sneakers for a month with no improvement, you're past the point where home treatment alone is likely to fix this. That's the moment to come in.
A lot of plantar fasciitis stories follow the same arc: pain starts, you rest, it improves, you return to your routine - and a few weeks later it's back. That cycle can repeat for months until rest stops helping and the pain becomes something you live with.
Here's what's actually happening. Plantar fasciitis starts as an inflammatory problem, but if the fascia keeps getting stressed without fully healing, the body eventually stops trying to repair it and starts laying down degenerative tissue instead - a condition technically called plantar fasciosis. At that point, anti-inflammatories stop doing much because inflammation isn't the main issue anymore. Degenerated tissue is - and degenerated tissue doesn't heal on its own. It needs a targeted stimulus to re-trigger the repair process, which is the piece most home-treatment approaches can't deliver.
The goal is simple: resolve the pain, rebuild the tissue, and fix whatever caused the problem - so it doesn't come back six months later. For most patients, that's achievable without surgery.
This is our go-to treatment for chronic plantar fasciitis, and it's one of the main reasons patients travel to our Middletown, NJ office. Extracorporeal shockwave therapy delivers high-energy acoustic waves into the damaged tissue, breaking down the degenerative tissue and triggering the body's natural repair response. For patients who've been dealing with plantar fasciitis for months or years and haven't gotten anywhere with stretching and over-the-counter insoles, shockwave is often what finally resolves it. Clinical literature puts success rates for chronic plantar fasciitis in the 70â85% range, and our experience tracks with that.
Plantar fasciitis isn't purely a foot problem. It's usually also a calf problem, often a hip problem, and sometimes a posture problem. Tight calves pull on the plantar fascia every step you take. Weak glutes change how you load your feet. Our in-house physical therapy team works the whole kinetic chain, not just the spot that hurts - which is the piece that keeps plantar fasciitis from coming back after you feel better.
The right orthotic does two things at once: it supports the arch so the plantar fascia isn't bearing the full load, and it corrects any biomechanical issue (flat feet, high arches, overpronation) that was quietly driving the problem. Drugstore insoles help some patients and do nothing for others. Custom orthotics, fitted to your actual foot and gait, are a different tool entirely.
Therapeutic laser delivers deep, photobiomodulating light into the plantar fascia to reduce inflammation, speed tissue repair, and calm pain signaling. We frequently pair laser with shockwave for chronic cases, and use it on its own for earlier-stage plantar fasciitis where inflammation is still the driving factor.
Hands-on techniques, instrument-assisted soft-tissue mobilization (IASTM), and cupping release restrictions in the fascia, calf, and intrinsic foot muscles. For patients with very tight posterior chains, this is often what makes stretching effective for the first time.
A night splint keeps the foot in a neutral position while you sleep so the plantar fascia can't shorten overnight - which dramatically reduces the morning pain that defines this condition. Kinesiology taping gives the arch temporary support during activity and can make day-to-day movement much more tolerable while the tissue heals.
We'll tell you specifically what to stop doing, what to keep doing, and what shoes actually fit your foot type. Specific changes based on your case - not generic "rest more" advice.
A small percentage of patients don't respond to a full course of conservative care. For those cases, we'll discuss minimally invasive plantar fascia release - a procedure using a small incision with less tissue disruption than traditional open surgery.
Honest framing: most patients who've been told they need surgery for plantar fasciitis haven't actually exhausted their non-surgical options. Before any surgical conversation, we make sure shockwave, laser, properly fitted orthotics, and thorough physical therapy have all been tried. Surgery is a last-resort tool - not a first-line one.
Plantar fasciitis gets treated very differently depending on who you see. A generalist might hand you a pair of insoles, tell you to stretch, and send you on your way. We treat this condition frequently enough that we've built a specific, multi-tool approach - and we've invested in the technology (shockwave, LiteCure laser, custom orthotics) that makes that approach work.
Not every practice has it. For chronic plantar fasciitis, it's one of the most effective treatments in use today - and because it's in-house, we can start treatment the day you come in.
Nobody wants to wait three weeks when they're in pain. We offer same-day appointments whenever the schedule allows.
Plantar fasciitis almost always has contributing factors beyond the foot. Our podiatrist, physical therapists, chiropractors, and soft-tissue specialists all work in the same building, on the same chart, toward the same plan. If your heel pain is really being driven by tight calves and a hip restriction, we don't need to refer you out to figure that out.
We track progress, adjust what isn't working, and don't keep you on the schedule forever. The goal is to get you back to running, standing, walking, or working - then to stop seeing you except for the occasional check-in.
Your first visit to our Middletown, NJ office is a real conversation and a thorough exam. We'll ask when the pain started, what makes it better or worse, what shoes you wear, what activities you do, and what you've already tried. Then we'll examine your feet - palpating the plantar fascia to confirm the pain source, checking your calves and Achilles, watching your gait, and assessing your arch structure. If imaging would clarify anything (ruling out a stress fracture, for instance), we can usually do it on the spot.
From there, we'll explain what we think is happening in plain English and walk you through the treatment plan. You'll leave knowing what we're going to do, what you're going to do, and roughly how long it should take to feel real improvement.
If you've been dealing with heel pain for weeks or months and home treatment isn't cutting it, let's take a look. Plantar fasciitis is treatable, and for the vast majority of patients we can resolve it without surgery.
Call our Middletown, NJ office at (908) 866-7246 to schedule. Same-day appointments available.
Every case is different, and your provider will give you a specific timeline at your evaluation. Acute cases caught early and treated with the right combination of orthotics, stretching, and laser or manual therapy often resolve in a matter of weeks. Chronic cases that have been around for months or years typically need a longer arc, and shockwave therapy is usually part of the plan. Most patients notice meaningful improvement early in treatment, even when full resolution takes longer.
There's some discomfort during treatment - most patients describe it as a strong pulsing or tapping sensation rather than sharp pain - and each session runs about 10 to 15 minutes. We can adjust intensity based on your tolerance, and most patients find it very manageable.
Cortisone injections can reduce inflammation and provide short-term pain relief, but they don't address the underlying tissue degeneration in chronic cases. Repeated cortisone in the plantar fascia can also weaken the tissue and increase rupture risk. We rarely recommend them as a primary treatment. Shockwave and laser therapy work on the healing process directly, which is why the results tend to last.
Almost certainly not. The large majority of plantar fasciitis cases resolve with conservative treatment when the treatment is the right match for severity and duration. Surgery is a last-resort option for a small subset of patients who haven't responded to a full course of non-surgical care. If you've been told you need surgery and haven't tried shockwave therapy or properly done physical therapy yet, it's worth a second opinion.
They're related but not the same. A heel spur is a bone growth on the heel bone - often visible on X-ray - that forms in response to long-term plantar fascia strain. Plenty of people have heel spurs and no pain; others have classic plantar fasciitis without any spur on imaging. The spur itself usually isn't what hurts. The inflamed or degenerated plantar fascia is. Treatment targets the fascia, not the spur.
A gym called Iron Revolution plans to open in the former Big Lots store at Town Brook Commons in Middletown, located at 754 Rt. 35.This is the shopping center where the Middletown Stop & Shop and Kohl’s are located. There's also an Orangetheory and Power Core Studio in that shopping complex.Iron Fitness started with their first location on Rt. 9 in Howell, and their Middletown location will be their second. Their Middletown gym will be much larger than their existing Howell site, although they have plans to expand the...
A gym called Iron Revolution plans to open in the former Big Lots store at Town Brook Commons in Middletown, located at 754 Rt. 35.
This is the shopping center where the Middletown Stop & Shop and Kohl’s are located. There's also an Orangetheory and Power Core Studio in that shopping complex.
Iron Fitness started with their first location on Rt. 9 in Howell, and their Middletown location will be their second. Their Middletown gym will be much larger than their existing Howell site, although they have plans to expand their Howell gym.
An employee at the Howell Iron Fitness said they have no set date for when they will open in Middletown, only that they're "hoping to open by the end of the year."
They're aiming to open in Middletown in the fourth quarter of 2026, according to Iron Revolution's Instagram account.
Iron Revolution will open a 28,045-square-foot gym inside the former Big Lots, which has sat empty for almost two years now. Big Lots went bankrupt in 2024, and all their stores closed that year.
Membership at Iron Revolution is $89.99/month if you sign up for a year-long membership, $99.99/month if you pay monthly and they also have $20 daily guest passes and $70 weekly guest passes, according to the Iron Revolution website.
“We are incredibly proud and excited to bring our second Iron Revolution location to Middletown, NJ,” Raymond Fennell, the gym’s owner, told the Real Estate NJ news site. “Iron Revolution of Middletown will be a world-class 28,045-square-foot fitness destination featuring top-of-the-line equipment, an unmatched training environment and premium recovery amenities designed to create an exceptional experience for our members. Our goal is not simply to open another gym, but to have a positive impact on people’s lives and create a facility that our members are proud to be a part of for years to come.”
MIDDLETOWN, NJ -- The Middletown South football team will open its 2026 season on Thursday, Aug. 27 at Cherokee High School.Coach Marc Tomo's team went 4-7 last year and will have to replace Class of 2026 quarterback Luca Donofrio after he threw for 12 touchdown passes last season.Senior Jack Schneider will take the reins at quarterback after playing minimal snaps last season behind Donofrio.Sign Up for FREE Middletown NewsletterGet local news you can trust in your inbox.Senior Justin Rosat...
MIDDLETOWN, NJ -- The Middletown South football team will open its 2026 season on Thursday, Aug. 27 at Cherokee High School.
Coach Marc Tomo's team went 4-7 last year and will have to replace Class of 2026 quarterback Luca Donofrio after he threw for 12 touchdown passes last season.
Senior Jack Schneider will take the reins at quarterback after playing minimal snaps last season behind Donofrio.
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Senior Justin Rosato returns as the Eagles’ starting running back for the third consecutive season in the power spread offense after rushing for 926 yards and nine TDs on his way to Second Team All-Shore honors in 2025. The Eagles are also expecting junior Connor Leon to contribute in the backfield.
Senior Owen Maguire returns as a three-year starter at wideout after catching 30 passes for 396 yards and two touchdowns last season, earning Second Team All-Class A North honors. Senior Luke Picariello also returns as a starter after catching five passes for 47 yards in 2025.
Senior Anthony Bennett (6-2, 225) returns at tight end after catching three passes for 47 yards last season, when he served primarily as a blocker.
The Eagles return two starters along the offensive line in senior tackle Brendan Roudi (6-5, 295) and senior guard Marcus Rayson (6-2, 250). Junior Ryan Menditto (6-0, 220) and sophomore Will Renschler (6-6, 225) will fill the opposite guard and tackle positions, while sophomore Ryan Rosato (5-10, 230) could be the new starting center.
The Eagles return seven starters on defense, including senior Beckett White (6-1, 220) a lineman who made four sacks in 2025, earning Second Team All-Class A North honors.
Bennett returns at outside linebacker after totaling 26 tackles and four sacks last season, when he was Second Team All-Class A North. Junior Shawn Menditto will start at the opposite outside linebacker position. Leon will play inside linebacker, accompanied by senior Ryan Kraft.
Four starters return in the Middletown South secondary: Seniors Mike Mullane, Ryan Cerminaro and Rosato each enter their third season as starters, while senior Ryan McCarthy also returns after starting last season.
MIDDLETOWN SOUTH 2026 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
8/27 at Cherokee9/4 at Rumson-Fair Haven9/10 Freehold Township9/18 Shore9/26 at Manasquan10/2 Holmdel10/16 at Marlboro10/23 at Matawan11/26 Middletown North
Thank you for reading TAPinto Middletown. Don't miss your daily news, sign up free today Have a news tip or story idea, text Jeanne Wall at 732.492.2500. This publication has thousands of local readers every day and is a fantastic way to provide unique marketing opportunities for your business or organization. Text Jeanne Wall 732.492.2500 for more information or email Interested in franchising TAPinto in Monmouth County? Text or email Jeanne Wall. Have a great day!
Jeanne Wall, Owner/Publisher of , , Delivering Daily Community News for Monmouth County, while providing unique Marketing, Branding, PR and Community Relations for local businesses and organizations.
originally published: 08/24/2026(MIDDLETOWN, NJ) -- The MAC Players at the will hold auditions for Gypsy on Tuesday, September 1, 2026 from 5:00pm to 10:00pm. Callbacks will be on Thursday, September 3rd from 5:00pm to 10:00pm. All roles are available.Regarded by many theatre professionals as the finest musical ever created, Gypsy is the ultimate tale of an ambitious stage mother fighting for her daughters’ success – while secretly yearning for her own. Set all across America in the 1920s and 30s...
originally published: 08/24/2026
(MIDDLETOWN, NJ) -- The MAC Players at the will hold auditions for Gypsy on Tuesday, September 1, 2026 from 5:00pm to 10:00pm. Callbacks will be on Thursday, September 3rd from 5:00pm to 10:00pm. All roles are available.
Regarded by many theatre professionals as the finest musical ever created, Gypsy is the ultimate tale of an ambitious stage mother fighting for her daughters’ success – while secretly yearning for her own. Set all across America in the 1920s and 30s, when vaudeville was dying and burlesque was born, Arthur Laurents’ landmark show explores the world of two-bit show business with brass, humor, heart and sophistication.
Gypsy features a Book by Arthur Laurents; Music by Jule Styne; and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. It was suggested by the memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee.
The production will take place across two weeks from October 16-25, 2026. The Production Team includes Director KATHY CONNOLLY, Musical Director NICK JUPINKA, andChoreographer SAMANTHA AMARAL.
Rehearsals will start on or around September 8: Mon, Tue, Thur and Sat Evenings
AUDITION INFORMATION - Please prepare 32 bars of a song in the style of the show. An accompanist will be provided or please bring tracks for your selection. Callbacks will take place on Sep 3. Dance auditions will be at the Callbacks.
PLEASE EMAIL auditionmac@gmail.com FOR AN AUDITION TIME and with any questions.We will accept self tape submissions. However, you must be available for Callbacks.
LOCATION: Middletown Arts Center (36 Church Street, Middletown, New Jersey).
ROLES: All Roles Available
MAMA ROSE 30-50, Vocal Range (Mezzo Soprano with strong belt): Overbearing. Charismatic. Powerful. Strong. Suffocating. Aggressive. Domineering. Pushy. Ambitious. Loving. Longing. Survivor. Brassy. Stage Mother. Driven.
LOUISE 18+, Vocal Range (Mezzo-Soprano): Initially shy and introverted, she ultimately becomes a star. She is a quiet, intelligent young woman who has none of her younger sister June’s natural ability to put on a show. When she is thrust into a burlesque show by her mother, she transforms into a legendary stripper.
JUNE 18+ Vocal Range (Mezzo Soprano with a high belt): Although she is in her mid-teens, Dainty June is a gifted and willful young woman, who ultimately refuses to continue perpetuating the “baby doll” persona she has carried with her since she was a young girl. Strong Dancer.
HERBIE 40-50, Vocal Range(Baritone): Candy salesman and Rose’s manager. Has a heart of gold, but also has the power to defend the people he loves.
TULSA 18+, Vocal Range (Baritone): An ambitious, charismatic dreamer. Tulsa is a born performer, who has the presence and talent to command the stage by himself. Strong, athletic dancer (especially Tap).
YOUNG LOUISE 12-15, Vocal Range (Mezzo-Soprano): Young Louise struggles with the family’s focus on show business, as she is awkward and painfully shy. Possesses a hidden strength that is often overshadowed by the presence of her extroverted younger sister. A strong singer and dancer.
BABY JUNE 12-15, Vocal Range (Mezzo Soprano): Savvy and outgoing, Baby June is the perfect child star, eager and extroverted. Has a strong, bright voice and the ability to carry solo singing. Strong dance skills, including a background in ballet and gymnastics.
TESSIE TURA 20-50, Vocal Range(Mezzo Soprano): A professional stripper whose “gimmick” is being a ballerina. Ballet skills optional.
MAZEPPA 20-50, Vocal Range (Mezzo Soprano): She is a brash and ballsy burlesque performer whose “gimmick” is that she plays the trumpet while she strips. Trumpet player optional.
ELECTRA 20-50, Vocal Range (Mezzo Soprano): She is a burlesque performer whose gimmick is that her costume is covered in light bulbs.
UNCLE JOCKO 20-40, (Non-Singing): Vaudeville master of ceremonies at a weekly kiddee talent show. Hates stage mothers.
AGNES 18-25, Vocal Range (Mezzo-Soprano): Agnes is a member of Madame Rose’s Toreadorables and one of the girls who Rose recruits to be in the act she threw together for Louise. Agnes is thrilled at the prospect of being an actress. A young, comedic character who sings and moves well.
POP 50-70: Pop is Mama Rose’s father, who never believed that his daughter or her girls would amount to anything. He is a pragmatist, religious and unforgiving. While this is a non-singing role the actor will likely sing in the ensemble and double with additional ensemble roles.
MIDDLETOWN, NJ – Residents in the Port Monmouth and Belford sections of Middletown should be aware of a mosquito control operation scheduled for the early morning hours of Thursday, Aug. 27, after mosquitoes collected locally tested positive for West Nile virus.The Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners announced that the Monmouth County Office of Mosquito Control will conduct a community-wide adult mosquito control treatment between 4 and 6 a.m. on Aug. 27, weather permitting.The treatment area in...
MIDDLETOWN, NJ – Residents in the Port Monmouth and Belford sections of Middletown should be aware of a mosquito control operation scheduled for the early morning hours of Thursday, Aug. 27, after mosquitoes collected locally tested positive for West Nile virus.
The Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners announced that the Monmouth County Office of Mosquito Control will conduct a community-wide adult mosquito control treatment between 4 and 6 a.m. on Aug. 27, weather permitting.
The treatment area includes residential streets east of Wilson Avenue, north of the Henry Hudson Trail and west of Ware Creek.
The operation is part of the county's proactive ongoing mosquito surveillance and response program, which monitors mosquito populations and tests mosquito samples for mosquito-borne viruses. When infected mosquitoes are identified, targeted adult mosquito control operations may be conducted to reduce the number of mosquitoes capable of transmitting disease.
West Nile virus is the most commonly reported mosquito-borne disease in New Jersey. It is primarily maintained in a cycle involving mosquitoes and birds, but infected mosquitoes can transmit the virus to people and other animals when they bite.
The timing of the Middletown treatment is significant because late summer is the period when West Nile virus activity is generally at its highest. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that most West Nile virus infections occur during the summer and fall, with transmission particularly concentrated from July through September.
Importantly, finding West Nile virus in mosquitoes does not mean that everyone in the treatment area has been exposed to the virus or that residents will become ill. Rather, positive mosquito samples provide public health officials with evidence of virus activity in the local mosquito population and help guide mosquito-control decisions.
Most people infected with West Nile virus do not develop symptoms. About one in five infected people develop a febrile illness that can include fever, headache, body aches, joint pain, fatigue, vomiting, diarrhea or rash. A much smaller percentage develop serious illness affecting the nervous system.
During Thursday's operation, mosquito-control personnel will apply Duet, a mosquito-control product, using Ultra Low Volume (ULV) sprayers mounted in the bed of a pickup truck.
ULV mosquito control involves dispersing a very small amount of product in fine droplets designed to target adult mosquitoes. The county uses this type of treatment as one component of an integrated mosquito-management program.
The county's mosquito-control program also addresses mosquitoes before they become adults. Its website notes that inspectors can identify mosquito breeding areas and that the county treats certain standing-water habitats with larvicides. For example, the county treats some stormwater catch basins with Bti, a larvicide designed to target mosquito larvae.
Residents can also request an inspection of their property. County mosquito-control inspectors can look for standing water and mosquito larvae and, when appropriate, treat the habitat or work with residents to eliminate the source.
Residents who would like to request an inspection can contact the Monmouth County Office of Mosquito Control at 732-542-3630.
The county's mosquito-control schedule and maps page provides information about scheduled operations, treatment areas and mosquito-control resources.
While countywide mosquito-control operations are an important part of the response, health officials emphasize that residents can play a significant role by eliminating places where mosquitoes can reproduce.
Mosquitoes can lay eggs in relatively small amounts of standing water. Residents should regularly check their properties for containers or objects capable of holding water, including buckets, flowerpot saucers, children's toys, clogged gutters, discarded containers and other outdoor items.
New Jersey health and environmental officials have urged residents to eliminate standing water around their homes and seek assistance from their county mosquito-control agency when mosquito problems persist.
“Monmouth County is taking proactive measures to reduce the risk of mosquito-borne illnesses by continuously monitoring mosquito populations and using targeted treatments,” said Commissioner Director Thomas A. Arnone. “Residents can also request an inspection of their property to identify standing water where mosquito larvae may be present. If larvae are found, our inspectors will treat the water or work to eliminate the source. To schedule an inspection, please call the Office of Mosquito Control at 732-542-3630.”
Commissioner Susan M. Kiley, liaison to the Department of Health and Human Services, noted that West Nile virus activity typically increases from mid-summer into early fall.
“West Nile virus activity typically peaks from mid-July through September,” Kiley said. “Residents can protect themselves by using insect repellent and wearing long-sleeve shirts and long pants when outdoors. They can also help prevent mosquitoes from breeding by regularly emptying containers and other items on their property that collect standing water.”
The CDC recommends using an EPA-registered insect repellent, wearing long sleeves and pants when outdoors, and taking steps to keep mosquitoes outside by using intact screens on windows and doors or air conditioning. Limiting exposure during periods when mosquitoes are most active can also reduce the chance of being bitten.
Residents should also remember that mosquito activity does not end when the county's treatment operation is completed. The county describes mid-August and September as peak periods for West Nile virus activity and continues mosquito surveillance throughout the season.
New Jersey's Department of Health maintains statewide surveillance of mosquito-borne diseases and mosquito testing, with weekly 2026 reports tracking West Nile virus and other vector-borne pathogens detected throughout the state.
For residents of Port Monmouth and Belford, Thursday morning's operation is a targeted public-health response to confirmed West Nile virus activity in locally collected mosquitoes. Residents can further reduce risk by eliminating standing water, using appropriate insect repellent and taking precautions when spending time outdoors during mosquito season.
Thank you for reading TAPinto Middletown. Don't miss your daily news, sign up free today Have a news tip or story idea, text Jeanne Wall at 732.492.2500. This publication has thousands of local readers every day and is a fantastic way to provide unique marketing opportunities for your business or organization. Text Jeanne Wall 732.492.2500 for more information or email Interested in franchising TAPinto in Monmouth County? Text or email Jeanne Wall. Have a great day!
Jeanne Wall, Owner/Publisher of , , Delivering Daily Community News for Monmouth County, while providing unique Marketing, Branding, PR and Community Relations for local businesses and organizations.
Your local access point to Raritan Bay is offering an increasing number of community events:Updated Fri, Aug 28, 2026 at 8:58 pm ET(Shutterstock)(NJ DEP)MIDDLETOWN, NJ — Leonardo State Marina is starting to offer more and more community events:This Saturday, they are leading a guided kayak trip out into Raritan Bay (slots are already filled up). But so much more is planned:Pirate Day - Saturday, September 19 Happy International Talk Like a Pirate Day, maytees! Join the crew of the Leonardo St...
Updated Fri, Aug 28, 2026 at 8:58 pm ET
(Shutterstock)
(NJ DEP)
MIDDLETOWN, NJ — Leonardo State Marina is starting to offer more and more community events:
This Saturday, they are leading a guided kayak trip out into Raritan Bay (slots are already filled up). But so much more is planned:
Pirate Day - Saturday, September 19 Happy International Talk Like a Pirate Day, maytees! Join the crew of the Leonardo State Marina Nature Center as we embark on a day filled with Pirate crafts, treasure hunts, and fun pirate stories! Free and fun for all ages Crafts inside all day Treasure Hunt at 12:30 pm for kids of all ages Pirates work in rain or shine!
In late September, they will offer seashell jewelry-making classes for kids and adults alike:
Seashell Jewelry Class, 10 a.m. Sept. 26
Learn how to make cute jewelry pieces from some of your favorite beach shells!
All Ages Class: 10 a.m. - 11 a.m.All Ages Class: 12 p.m. - 1 p.m.Adult-only Class: 2-3 p.m.
$5 per person; pay on day of program (Cash preferred).Must register in advance: https://www.signupgenius.com/.../70A0548ACAF2AA0FC1...Supplies providedParent/Guardian presence required for under 16 years old
Held at the Leonardo State Marina Nature Center: 105 Concord Ave, Leonardo, NJ 07737
The Nature Center (Office of Nature and Interpretive Programming) is the small building inland from the Marina Office. You may park in the large center lot across Concord Ave. Please do not park on grass in front of the marina office or nature center. Questions or concerns? Reach out to NJ DEP naturalist saylor.whiteman@dep.nj.gov
Get ready to get spooky, because the annual Halloween Festival at Leonardo State Marina is returning on Saturday, October 17 from 12pm-4pm! Free family fun will include a kid’s costume contest, a pet costume contest, prizes, games, crafts, goodies, and more! Want to help out at this event? Reach out to saylor.whiteman@dep.nj.gov for more information.
Follow Leonardo State Marina on Facebook for all their events.