🌱 Patch AM: Ready to hike Perrine Hill in Manalapan on New Year’s Day?

Good day Manalapan! We're here again with what you need to know today. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• Ready to hike Perrine Hill in Manalapan on New Year’s Day?
• Which Manalapan wrestlers brought home titles from Walter Woods?

Also on today's calendar: SMAuction A Kevin Smith Sale! Props, Memorabilia, Costumes, Art, Signed Stuff & More! and 3 more events.

Today's riddle: What two things can you never eat for breakfast? . 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Monday: Windy; morning rain, with a high of 56 and low of 27 degrees.
• Tuesday: Very windy; much colder, temps: high: 33, low: 24.
• Wednesday: Breezy with periods of sun, with a high of 35 and low of 26 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• NJIB's Guide to the New Jersey First Day Hike (newjerseyisntboring.com) — Manalapan residents can kick off 2026 with a First Day Hike at Monmouth Battlefield State Park, exploring Perrine Hill where George Washington commanded troops and Molly Pitcher famously fought. The statewide guide also highlights dozens of other free, family-friendly hikes, walks, and history-focused outings across New Jersey on January 1, 2026.
   

• Toms River South; Midd South shine at Walter Woods Tournament (nj.com subscription) — Manalapan wrestling fans will be glad to know Donnie Tibbitt (190) and Kevin Pasquince (165) both captured finals wins at the Walter Woods Tournament, highlighting a strong showing for the Braves. The event, hosted by Middletown South, was dominated overall by Toms River South, with several other schools across New Jersey also producing individual champions.
   

📸 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 ★

Saturday January 3

• SMAuction A Kevin Smith Sale! Props, Memorabilia, Costumes, Art, Signed Stuff & More!
  82 First Ave, Atlantic Highlands
  2:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Monday January 5

• Basketball: Boys JV vs. Wall Township (Away)
  Wall Township High School
  4:00 pm
• Basketball: Girls Varsity vs. Long Branch (Home)
  Marlboro High School Gym-Main Marlboro High School Gym-Main
  4:00 pm
• Basketball: Girls JV vs. Wall Township (Home)
  Howell High School Main Gym Howell High School Main Gym
  5:15 pm
• Basketball: Boys Varsity vs. Wall Township (Away)
  Wall Township High School
  5:30 pm
• Basketball: Boys Freshman (Time Changed) vs. Wall Township (Away)
  Wall Township High School
  5:30 pm

📣 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!

🗓 Events Nearby

Tuesday December 30

• SEASONS GEEKINGS Theme Trivia | Dave & Buster's Freehold NJ 730p TUE 12/30
  Dave & Buster's Freehold , 3710 US-9 , Freehold
  7:30 pm

Wednesday December 31

• iPlay America! Get Inside The Fun! Weekly Promotions!
  iPlay America , 110 Schanck Rd , Freehold
  7:00 pm

Monday January 5

• Basketball: Girls Varsity vs. Long Branch (Home)
  Marlboro High School Gym-Main Marlboro High School Gym-Main
  4:00 pm
• Basketball: Boys JV vs. Wall Township (Away)
  Wall Township High School
  4:00 pm
• Basketball: Boys Freshman vs. Wall Township (Away)
  Wall Township High School
  4:00 pm
• Basketball: Girls JV vs. Wall Township (Home)
  Howell High School Main Gym Howell High School Main Gym
  5:15 pm
• Basketball: Boys Freshman (Time Changed) vs. Wall Township (Away)
  Wall Township High School
  5:30 pm

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:

• 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!
• Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
  Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!
• Brookdale Community College — (732) 224-1857
  Be Supported, Be Successful, and Be Brookdale
• Epic Dayz — (732) 952-2400
  Parents....Get Your Vacation Time Back with Epic Dayz!

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

• Garden State Animal Rescue Center to Offer Low-Cost Microchipping and Pet Resources at Super Pet Expo —Garden State Animal Rescue Center Read on Patch

• Careful driving out there tonight icy roads.
  Just passed union hill rd overpass on rt 9 south bound and saw three big bright explosions at the over pass. Every car stopped and exited off on to… (Nextdoor Manalapan)

🗞 Nearby News

Freehold

• Heavy wet snow, ice expected as winter storm moves into Monmouth and northern Ocean counties (shorenewsnetwork.com)
• Brooklyn Nets jersey history No. 34 – Tim Perry (1995-96) (allusanewshub.com)
• Snow totals at the Jersey Shore? Here's your town-by-town inch count (app.com)

Marlboro

• Castillo Announcement of Candidacy for the Monmouth county commission (insidernj.com)
• Central Jersey industrial real estate market remains competitive (mycentraljersey.com)

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: Lunch and dinner. (From Norine S.)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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