THE DOWNE TOWNSHIP “Bounty of the Bay” community celebration and fund-raiser is scheduled from noon-5 p.m on Saturday, Aug. 12 at the Fortescue Firehall located at 10 Vassar Ave. The event is dine-in or take-out with meal choices of just crabs, crabs and spaghetti (in garlic or red sauce) or spaghetti and meat balls. Each dinner includes a roll, corn, coleslaw and dessert. The cost is $20.
This event features DJ Tony who always gets our events rock’n and roll’n! Bring extra cash for our fabulous basket raffle, 50/50, T-shirts & “Buck-A-Shuck” oysters.
Money raised will support community activities organized by locals as part of the Community Heart & Soul Project. This fantastic community event hosted by the Downe Township Green Team in partnership with the Downe Township Fire Companies & Downe Township Seniors. Tickets can be purchased at the event, on Facebook.com/DowneGreenTeam or in person at the Fortescue Sea Chest on weekends.

MUSIC AT UNION HALL continues at 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19 with a performance by Steve Byrne & Joe Kille & Friends. Admission is a free will offering. Light refreshments will be available. Union Hall is located at 904 Main St., Dividing Creek.

ARE YOU at least 50 years old and a resident of Downe Township? If so, consider joining the Downe Township Seniors. Meetings are held at 10 a.m. on the second Friday of each month at the Downe Township Senior Center at 288 Main St. in Newport. The seniors are focused on providing education, recreation and socialization activities to enrich lives. The next meeting will be held on Aug. 11, followed by lunch.

DOWNE TOWNSHIP received a federal Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside (TA) grant through the New Jersey Department of Transportation for streetscape improvements along Baptist Road (CR656), Landing Road (CR656) and Fortescue Road (CR637) for the Newport neighborhood. The grant is being facilitated by Cumberland County and their Engineering Department on behalf of Downe Township. The improvements include constructing sidewalks and streetlights along the entire length of the project. The streetscape improvements will highlight the traditional characteristics of Newport, foster a sense of community between residents, and encourage walking within the neighborhood by providing a connected sidewalk network with streetlights.
Preliminary plans have been developed and are available on the Downe Township website at downetwpnj.org
The Preliminary Engineering Phase of the project is expected to be completed this summer, with final design going into 2024. A second PIC will be held in 2024 where the construction plans will be presented to the public for comments. The construction grant amount is $990,000.