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Monmouth Service Area renamed for author and New Jersey Hall of Famer Judy Blume

Mar 29 2022

The Monmouth Service Area on the Garden State Parkway in Wall Township has been renamed in honor of famed children’s book author and New Jersey native Judy Blume.

The name change became official early this morning when the installation of “Judy Blume Service Area” signs on the Parkway was completed.

Gov. Phil Murphy announced last year that Parkway service areas would be renamed to honor New Jersey Hall of Fame inductees in the arts, entertainment, and sports. Monmouth is the fourth service area to be renamed so far. Cheesequake has been renamed for rock star Jon Bon Jovi, Forked River for salsa star Celia Cruz, and Brookdale North for baseball legend Larry Doby.

Other New Jersey Hall of Fame members who will have Parkway service areas renamed in their honor in the coming months include actor James Gandolfini (Montvale), journalist Connie Chung (Brookdale South), singer Whitney Houston (Vauxhall), and singer Frank Sinatra (Atlantic).

Blume, 84, an Elizabeth native, is one of the most influential and well-known authors of children’s books in the world today. Her 29 books have sold 90 million copies in 32 languages. Her best-known works are “Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret,” “Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing,” “Deenie,” and “Blubber.”

During her career, Blume has received more than 90 literary awards, including the Library of Congress Living Legends Award, the National Book Foundation’s Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters, and the American Library Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

She was inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame in 2010.