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πβοΈ A Blizzard, A Rooster, and a Town That Showed Up
Published about 1 month agoΒ β’Β 7 min read
Happy Tuesday! Welcome to the February 24, 2026 Edition
As of this writing, weβre likely still digging out β but letβs all agree that for the rest of 2026, the only blizzards we want are the kind served with a spoon.
Thereβs a lot happening around town this week β including a rescued rooster (yes, really).
THIS WEEK'S TRIVIA QUESTION. ποΈ Brunswick Square Mall Trivia
Which of these stores was NOT once inside Brunswick Square Mall?
A. Chess King B. Walden Books C. The Bombay Company D. Roy Rogers E. McCroryβs
Think you know? Scroll down for the answer. π
πTop Story: Forget the Snow...A Rooster Was Rescued!
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Rudy the rooster was first spotted wandering near Hammarskjold School, looking worse for wear and suffering from frostbite. Luckily for him, the bird (now officially named Rudy Crow) was rescued by local hero Susan M., who, before retiring, spent 27 years working in the veterinary field. Susan said the little guy appeared to be starving and clearly struggling with frostbite when she was alerted about him.
Susan jumped into action, scooped him up, and brought him home to recover in a crate under her care β even keeping him in her living room for a short while. A few posts in the local Facebook group βEast Brunswick Helping Each Otherβ helped spread the word and rally support.
"No little heart is not worthy." - Susan M.
Fast forward to today: Rudy is now living his best life, safe and warm, with a whole flock of chickens to rule the roost over. According to Susan, heβs βhealed, warmed, and fattened up on cracked corn, black seed, veggies, and kale.β
Now thatβs something to crow about! In a week full of snowplows and school cancellations, weβll take this win. ππ
Game on, East Brunswick. Indoor pickleball courts are coming. Franchise Pickleball spot The Picklr will take over space inside Brunswick Square, bringing year-round play to town.
In other mall moves. Here's an update on where some popular (former) mall stores have relocated to:
Big news for commuters β and anyone watching Central Jersey evolve.
Approx. $205M in federal funds has been restored to the Gateway Tunnel project, which adds new rail capacity between NJ and NYC.
After 15+ years of βIs it really happening?β chatter, the North Brunswick train station just picked up design support β which means this long-talked-about project is officially inching closer to reality. Translation: progress. Actual progress.
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And just down the tracks in New Brunswick? Big things are brewing. Plans are in motion for a major glow-up of the current station area, with mixed-use upgrades designed to turn the transit hub into more of a destination than just a dash-to-the-platform moment. The county is renovating the 120-year old New Brunswick train stationon Easton Ave, a $70M project. Bonus for homeowners: More trains to NYC = Higher property values.
π½ FOOD NEWS
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Closed: On The Border (New Brunswick)
After years of serving Tex-Mex favorites, On The Border off Route 1 in New Brunswick (near the old Sears now TheRaye) has closed. It had been previously reported that the restaurant would reopen, but management confirmed to The Bird that the restaurant is shuttered for now.
Winner, Winner Chicken Dinner
For now, a judge has ruled that chain restaurant Buffalo Wild Wings (with locations in nearby North Brunswick, Marlboro and Edison) can keep calling its wings βbonelessβ β even though a customer argued theyβre really just nuggets.
OLS, short for "Our Little Secret," is expected to open soon. The speakeasy-style luxury lounge is going to be connected to the restaurant next door, Madison Modern Social.
JBJ is transforming a long-vacant Asbury Park Walgreens into a new food pantry and community dining space. This will be a JBJ Soul Kitchen, the pay-it-forward community restaurant founded by his Jon Bon Joviβs Soul Foundation. Worth the trip!
A Fun Way to Spend a Snow Day
Thanks to Ria Mar, for sharing this aspirational way to spend a snow day at home. Love a Sangria Kit.
βGrand Opening of Activate - billed as "world's first active gaming facility." π893 St Georges Ave, Woodbridge, NJ 07095 π Party starts at 10 AM.
βCrystal Springs 2026 Season Passes Available β Passes include unlimited admission with access to slides, splash areas, and the lazy river. Resident and non-resident rates apply, with discounted pricing for children and seniors. Park opens for the season May 23.
π π£ What Everyone (on Facebook) Is Talking About
Snow. Snow. And more snow. Hopefully everyone got dug out safely
Question: Is friendly game-night gambling at the EB Library allowed? (Technically, no).
The plastic bag invasion β hate those "coupon flyer" plastic bags at the bottom of your driveway? So do most people. Call the number on the bottom of the bag to make it stop.
People are still asking about whatβs being built on Cranbury Road where that "Open Space" sign used to be. According to published reports: An assisted living facility is coming, and the open space is still there (just in the back).
The Brunswick Bird 3 Lexington Avenue, East Brunswick, NJ 08816
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The Brunswick Bird
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