🌱 Patch AM: Can Manalapan girls track repeat as South Group 4 champions?

Hi Manalapan! We have the latest buzz right here. Let's keep you in the loop and get this morning started right! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• Can Manalapan girls track repeat as South Group 4 champions?
• How a Manalapan resident may help shape NJ college financial aid

Also on today's calendar: Book Signing for New Book on Health Information Technology and Responsible AI and 9 more events.

📸 Have a great pic of holiday decorations from around Manalapan? Post it to Manalapan photos of the day! ☃️ 🟢-🟠-🟣-🔴-🟡-🔵 ☃️

Today's riddle: The doctor told me to drink carrot juice after a hot bath. - Did it help? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Wednesday: Breezy with periods of sun, with a high of 42 and low of 24 degrees.
• Thursday: Times of clouds and sun, temps: high: 47, low: 42.
• Friday: Windy; morning rain, with a high of 57 and low of 26 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Girls indoor track preview, 2025-26: Teams to watch (nj.com subscription) — Manalapan track fans can look forward to another big indoor season, with star middle-distance runner Jessica Abbott leading the Braves after last year’s South Group 4 sectional title. Abbott and sprinter Callie Butash headline a squad expected to contend again in the Shore Conference and at the state level, even after key graduation losses.
   

• Here's What's On The Agenda In Trenton Today (insidernj.com) — A Manalapan resident, Lisa Dougherty, is slated for consideration today in Trenton to join the state’s Higher Education Student Assistance Authority board, giving the town a voice in statewide college financial aid decisions. Lawmakers are also weighing a packed slate of bills on issues from medical cannabis and menopause coverage to school safety, elections, and public utilities.
   

📸 Around Manalapan

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Manalapan

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Friday December 19

• Book Signing for New Book on Health Information Technology and Responsible AI
  Barnes & Noble, 180 NJ-35, Eatontown
  4:30 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Thursday December 18

• Basketball: Boys JV vs. Howell H.S. (Away)
  Howell High School
  4:00 pm
• Basketball: Boys Freshman vs. Marlboro H.S. (Home)
  Howell High School Gray Gym Howell High School Gray Gym
  4:00 pm
• Basketball: Girls Freshman vs. Manchester Township (Away)
  Manchester Township High School
  4:00 pm
• Basketball: Boys Varsity vs. Howell H.S. (Away)
  Howell High School
  4:00 pm
• Basketball: Boys JV vs. Marlboro H.S. (Home)
  Howell High School Main Gym Howell High School Main Gym
  4:00 pm
• Basketball: Girls JV vs. Manchester Township (Away)
  Manchester Township High School
  4:00 pm

Friday December 19

• Swingin' the Season
  125 Symmes Dr , Manalapan Township
  2:00 pm

Saturday December 20

• Alpaca OPEN Farm and Big End of Season Sale
  Cedar Lane Alpacas, 67 Victory Rd., Howell, NJ 07731
  11:00 am

Tuesday December 23

• Headquarters, Manalapan Movie Matinee
  125 Symmes Dr , Manalapan Township
  2:00 pm

Wednesday December 24

• Christmas Eve Candle Light Service at St Thomas Lutheran Church
  203 Taylors Mills Rd , Manalapan Township
  4:00 pm

Thursday December 25

• Christmas Day Service at St. Thomas Lutheran Church
  St. Thomas Lutheran Church , 203 Taylors Mills Rd , Manalapan Township
  10:30 am

📣 Manalapan Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Manalapan PatchAM possible:

• Epic Dayz — (732) 952-2400
  Parents....Get Your Vacation Time Back with Epic Dayz!
• Brookdale Community College — (732) 224-1857
  Be Supported, Be Successful, and Be Brookdale
• Scarlet Reserve Room — (856) 537-9700
  Best Menu in Central Jersey
• Dogtopia of Old Bridge — (475) 338-3501
  Dogtopia – Dog Daycare, Boarding, Spa & Wellness
• db Ortho PT — (732) 747-1262
  Physical therapy practice with hundreds of 5 star reviews!

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• A Celebration of Past, Present & Future Civic Leaders —YMCA of the Jersey Shore Read on Patch

🗞 Nearby News

Marlboro

• REAL ID Mobile Truck Coming To Marlboro Township: See Details (patch.com)

New Brunswick

Ok Manalapan! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don’t know. I can never finish drinking the hot bath!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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