👋Hey, Monmouth friends!

Summer isn’t going quietly! Labor Day weekend brings fireworks, barbecue, live music, art, dancing dogs and a few Asbury Park ghosts—plus fall fun, Disney news and fresh picks for your TV watchlist.

👀 What’s on tap:

📰 News & Notes: Pound the Pavement and county history grants
🍓 Local Flavor: Barbecue, craft beer and a fresh sip in Red Bank
🎉 Weekend Plans: Fireworks, festivals, music, art and four days of fun
📚 Beyond the Books: Bridge, yoga, genealogy, mushrooms and the Moon
🌳 In the Parks: Birds, fishing, fall walks and old-fashioned cooking
🚢 Disney Travel News: New York cruises, holiday magic and a lakeside escape
🍳 In the Kitchen: Easy, protein-packed meals for busy days
📺 TV Time: Crime, cozy mysteries and one very unsettling phone call
🎂 Celebrity Birthdays: Famous faces blowing out the candles

Up first…

The 13th annual Pound the Pavement for Purple 5K Run and 2-Mile Walk will step off Saturday, Sept. 19, from Sunsets Riverfront Bar and Restaurant, 302 South Concourse, Neptune City. The 5K begins at 10 a.m., followed by the walk at 10:15 a.m. The event has raised more than $550,000 for pancreatic cancer research, with this year’s proceeds benefiting the Lustgarten Foundation. Online registration closes Sept. 15, but race-day registration will also be available. Register and learn more.

Monmouth County is accepting applications for its 2027 History Regrant and Historic Preservation Grant programs. History Regrants can support operating expenses or public local-history projects, while preservation grants provide matching awards of $500 to $12,000 for work on historic buildings owned by municipalities or organizations. New this year, preservation applicants must file a declaration of intent, and the maximum award has increased from $10,000 to $12,000. First-time applicants must attend a workshop—Sept. 16 for History Regrants or Sept. 28 for preservation grants. Deadlines and application details are available through the county’s History Regrant Program and Historic Preservation Grant Program pages.

Labor Day weekend is bringing the smoke to Monmouth Park race track in Oceanport. The BBQ & Craft Beer Festival runs Saturday through Monday, Sept. 5–7, from 11 a.m.–5 p.m., featuring nearly 20 pitmasters, more than 40 craft beers and three days of live music. Admission is $7; beer sampling requires a separate ticket. Come hungry—and perhaps postpone that post-summer diet until Tuesday. Festival details

Just in time for Labor Day weekend, REVES Smoothie & Açaí Café is opening its second New Jersey location at 42 Monmouth St. in Red Bank. The café will serve made-to-order smoothies, specialty coffee, pitaya bowls and soft-serve açaí bowls made without refined sugar. Consider it a fresh, fruity way to toast the unofficial end of summer—no blender cleanup required. Learn more about REVES.

🍔 Monmouth County has two big reasons to loosen the belt a notch. Mabel in Holmdel and The Galley in Asbury Park both landed on New Jersey Monthly’s list of the best burgers in the state. Mabel keeps things classy with a custom-blend patty topped with aged cheddar, caramelized onions, pickles and Dijon aioli on a sesame brioche bun. The Galley takes the opposite approach with its gloriously over-the-top Captain Sloshed Burger—10 ounces of Pat LaFrieda beef crowned with macaroni and cheese, bacon and a crust of crispy cheese. Find Mabel at 101 Crawfords Corner Road, Holmdel, and The Galley at 1313 Memorial Drive, Asbury Park.

The week’s must-read headlines on healthy aging, Medicare, Social Security and your financial future.

🧠 Aging, Measured Differently: The Most Important Longevity Term You’ve Probably Never Heard of: Intrinsic capacity is quickly becoming a preferred way to measure and assess human aging. The New York Times, Aug. 26.

⏯️ Rethinking Your Social Security Decision: Two Ways to Stop and Restart Social Security: Ditch the Regret: Learn how to stop and restart Social Security the smart way. Kiplinger, Aug. 24.

💵 Don’t Leave Survivor Benefits on the Table: Maximize Social Security Survivor Benefits By Avoiding Common Traps: Social Security survivors benefits are a key safety net for surviving spouses and other family members. The Street, Aug. 28.

📋 Get the Beneficiary Details Right: 7 Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing a Beneficiary for Your Estate Plan: Choosing a beneficiary for your IRA, 401(k) or insurance policy or similar assets is crucial for estate planning. Here is how to do it and seven pitfalls to avoid. Kiplinger, Aug. 24.

🎆 Rescheduled Independence Day Celebration — Better late than never! Freehold Borough’s postponed celebration brings live music, food trucks and a grand-finale fireworks display to Freehold Raceway, 3710 Route 9, from 5:30–10 p.m.
🎸 Funky Fridays — The Chuck Lambert Band takes over the Downtown Freehold Gazebo from 7–9 p.m. Bring a lawn chair and let the weekend begin with a little blues, soul and funk.
✨ Belmar Fireworks Show — Summer gets a sparkling sendoff over the beach at 7th Avenue in Belmar from 7:45–9 p.m. Bring chairs or blankets and settle in for one last big boom by the sea.
👻 Asbury Park Ghost Tours — Explore the city’s haunted downtown, spooky boardwalk or historic—and possibly haunted—pubs during a two-hour tour departing from The Paranormal Museum, 621 Cookman Ave., from 8–10 p.m. Apparently, summer isn’t the only thing lingering around Asbury Park.
🕯️ Candlelight Concert: ’90s Unplugged — A string quartet performs candlelit versions of “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” “Zombie,” “Don’t Speak,” “Wonderwall” and more at Pollak Theatre, 400 Cedar Ave., West Long Branch, from 8:30–10:30 p.m. Nirvana with violins? We’re listening.

🛍️ Allaire Flea Market — Hunt for antiques, collectibles, crafts and vintage treasures from hundreds of vendors at The Historic Village at Allaire, 4263 Atlantic Ave., Wall, from 8 a.m.–2 p.m. Arrive early—the best finds rarely sleep in.
🎨 Spring Lake Art Walk — Celebrate the end of summer with a leisurely stroll through Spring Lake’s Third Avenue business district, where local artists will display their work from 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
🌊 NJ Clearwater Festival — Music, community and environmental stewardship come together at Bradley Park, Asbury Park, from noon–8 p.m. The free festival honoring Pete Seeger’s legacy includes live music, environmental exhibits, food trucks, vendors, arts activities and an adult beverage garden. Bring a chair or blanket.
🍀 Pat Roddy Band — The Jersey Shore favorites bring their lively mix of classic rock, Celtic music, country, R&B and original songs to The Columns, 601 Ocean Ave. N., Avon-by-the-Sea, from 4–7 p.m. Dancing is not technically required, but resistance may be futile.
🎶 Saturday Serenade — The 2 Tones perform at the Downtown Freehold Gazebo from 7–9 p.m. Pack a lawn chair and enjoy an easygoing Saturday night under the stars.

🐾 Dog Carnival — Let your four-legged social butterfly enjoy games, activities and plenty of opportunities to strut their stuff at White Chapel Projects, 15 Second Ave., Long Branch, from noon–3 p.m. Humans may attend as designated drivers.

🎭 Play Readings — Enjoy live actors presenting a classic or contemporary play at The American Hotel, 18 E. Main St., Freehold, from 7–8:30 p.m. An audience discussion follows, giving everyone a chance to play theater critic.
🤠 Line Dancing on BroadWalk — Close out Labor Day weekend with country music, dancing, drinks and downtown dining on the Red Bank BroadWalk from 7–9 p.m. Boots are optional. Enthusiasm is not.

The Monmouth County Library has range this week: cards, chair yoga, mushrooms, family trees and a trip to the moon. Choose your adventure.

♠️ Deal yourself into a good afternoon. Intermediate bridge players can drop in Wednesday, Sept. 2 and 9, from 11 a.m.–1 p.m. at the West Long Branch Library, 95 Poplar Ave. Seating is first come, first served, and saving seats is prohibited—so don’t hold out for a better hand.

🌳 There may be a few characters hiding in your family tree. Beginning and experienced genealogy detectives can trade research tips and tackle family-history mysteries Wednesday, Sept. 2, from 2–3 p.m. at the Eastern Branch in Shrewsbury. Registration guarantees seating.

🃏 Pick a game, any game. Mahjongg and bridge players can gather for casual, player-led games Thursday, Sept. 3, from 9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. at the Holmdel Branch. Tables and Mahjongg sets are supplied; no registration—or saved seats—allowed.

🀄 Apparently, one round of Mahjongg is never enough. Experienced players can return to the Holmdel Branch Thursday, Sept. 3, from 1–4 p.m. for friendly play following National Mah Jongg League rules. Sets are provided, spectators are welcome and capacity is limited to 20 players.

🧘 Take a seat—and a deep breath. Chair yoga brings meditation, stretching, poses and breathwork to Library Headquarters in Manalapan Tuesday, Sept. 8, from 10–10:45 a.m. Stay seated or use the chair for balance while standing. No experience required.

🌿 Your to-do list can wait an hour. Wind down with gentle movement, stretching, mindfulness and guided meditation Tuesday, Sept. 8, from 6:30–7:30 p.m. at the Colts Neck Branch. Bring a mat or towel.

🍄 There’s fungus among us—and it’s fascinating. Chris Simoes of the New Jersey Mycological Association introduces the surprisingly interesting world of mushroom biology Wednesday, Sept. 9, from 6–7:30 p.m. at Library Headquarters in Manalapan. No foraging basket required.

🍁 Fall décor is just a few buttons away. Artist Theresa Lau will show participants how to turn colorful buttons into a mixed-media autumn landscape Wednesday, Sept. 9, from 6:30–7:30 p.m. at the Hazlet Township Branch. Space is limited, and registration is required.

🌕 The library is shooting for the moon. NASA Solar System Ambassador Frank O’Brien looks back at the Artemis II mission and ahead to plans for a permanent lunar presence Wednesday, Sept. 9, from 7–8 p.m. at the Eastern Branch in Shrewsbury. One small trip to the library, one giant evening for space fans.

September is here, but Monmouth County’s Parks aren’t slowing down. Grab the fishing pole, binoculars or simply a comfortable seat on the porch.

🎣 Go ahead—take the bait. Learn how to rig, bait and cast during Fishing 101 on Thursday, Sept. 3, from 8 a.m.–noon at the Manasquan Reservoir in Howell. Bait and tackle are provided. Children younger than 14 need an adult, while ages 16–69 need a fishing license. Register that morning at the bait shop. Free.

🍳 What’s cooking? Stop by Historic Longstreet Farm in Holmdel on Saturday, Sept. 5 or 19, from 11 a.m.–3 p.m. to see what’s simmering on the woodstove and discover how kitchens, recipes and cooking techniques have changed. Spoiler alert: there was no air fryer. Free.

🎶 Pull up a porch and stay awhile. An acoustic duo brings toe-tapping tunes to Historic Walnford in Upper Freehold on Sunday, Sept. 6, from 1–3 p.m. It’s an easygoing afternoon at one of the county’s prettiest historic properties. Free.

🦅 No birding résumé required. Join a Park System naturalist for a relaxed, 90-minute bird walk Tuesday, Sept. 8, at 9 a.m. at Huber Woods Park in Middletown, or Tuesday, Sept. 22, at 9 a.m. at Hartshorne Woods Park in Highlands. Walks cover two to four miles of sometimes uneven or muddy terrain, and a limited number of binoculars will be available. Meet in the Rocky Point parking lot for Hartshorne Woods. Free.

🍂 Fall is dropping hints all over the trails. Search for the plants, animals and natural changes that signal autumn’s arrival during an Awesome Autumn Ramble on Wednesday, Sept. 9, at 10 a.m. at Huber Woods Park in Middletown, or Wednesday, Sept. 16, at 10 a.m. at Clayton Park in Upper Freehold. Meet at the Environmental Center lot at Huber Woods or the Emley’s Hill lot at Clayton Park. All ages are welcome; anyone younger than 18 must bring an adult. Free.

Here’s some welcome news for Northeast cruisers: Disney Cruise Line will return to New York City in fall 2027 for the first time since 2023. After completing its inaugural European season, the Disney Wish will arrive in New York in late September for seven special voyages ranging from four to seven nights.
Five of the New York sailings will visit Bermuda, including three with an extra day on the island. The Disney Wish will also offer an autumn voyage along the New England and Canadian coast, visiting Boston; Saint John, New Brunswick; and Halifax, Nova Scotia—a particularly colorful way to go leaf-peeping without unpacking at every stop.

From New York, the ship will reposition to San Juan, Puerto Rico, on a five-night cruise that stops in Bermuda. It will then sail a seven-night Southern Caribbean itinerary visiting Aruba, St. Maarten, Bonaire and Dominica before heading to Port Canaveral.

Early booking begins Aug. 31, 2026, for eligible Castaway Club members, with reservations opening to everyone on Sept. 8. See the complete Fall 2027 and Spring 2028 itineraries. No flight to Florida required? That may be the most magical part of all!

Holidays at the Disneyland Resort returns Nov. 13, 2026, through Jan. 6, 2027, with sparkling décor, seasonal treats and plenty of Disney-style cheer. This year brings the return of “World of Color—Season of Light,” new holiday outfits for Mickey and friends, and a new Santa stop at Mickey’s Toontown. Favorites including A Christmas Fantasy Parade, holiday fireworks, festive attraction makeovers and the multicultural Disney Festival of Holidays will also return. Travelers can save up to 20% on select hotel stays of three nights or longer, with reservations opening Sept. 22. Get more info here.

Disney’s new Lakeshore Lodge will open at Walt Disney World on July 1, 2027, bringing 967 nature-inspired rooms to the shores of Bay Lake, just a boat ride from Magic Kingdom. Accommodations will range from cozy studios to waterfront Lake Houses and three-bedroom villas, with designs inspired by Bambi, Encanto, Fantasia, Brother Bear and Pocahontas. Guests can also expect a lazy river, pools, waterfront dining and complimentary Disney transportation. Reservations open Oct. 6 for Disney Vacation Club members, Oct. 7 for annual passholders and Oct. 8 for everyone else.

Helping out with the grandkids this back-to-school season? These easy, protein-packed meals can keep everyone fueled from breakfast through dinner. Try Shredded Beef & Egg Quesadillas for a make-ahead morning meal, Roast Beef Bistro Sliders for lunch or a quick supper, and one-pan Beef & Vegetable Fried Rice when the day gets away from you. Still hungry? Find more easy beef recipes here.

⭐ Crime has never looked so well tailored. Theo James returns as aristocrat-turned-crime boss Eddie Horniman when The Gentlemen begins its second season Thursday, Sept. 3, on Netflix. His unexpected talent for the family’s illegal enterprise is becoming a dangerous obsession. Expect schemes, swagger and trouble in a very expensive suit.

🔎 Three amateur sleuths are back in everyone’s business. The Marlow Murder Club returns Sunday, Sept. 6, at 8 p.m. on PBS, with Judith, Suzie and Becks investigating another suspicious death in their deceptively peaceful English town. It’s a cozy mystery—with poison, plenty of suspects and absolutely no intention of minding one’s own business.

☎️ This is one phone call you won’t want to miss. Last Seen premieres Wednesday, Sept. 9, on Apple TV. Eleven years after his daughter vanished, a former detective working as a police dispatcher receives a distress call from a teenager—and becomes convinced the caller is his missing child. The six-part thriller opens with two episodes.

🎉 First, a birthday cheer for one of our own! Happy 71st birthday to James Y. of Keyport—we hope your celebration includes good company, plenty of cake and absolutely no calorie counting. Also celebrating this week are NCIS star Mark Harmon, 75 on Sept. 2; The Matrix and John Wick star Keanu Reeves, 62 on Sept. 2; Oscar-nominated actress Salma Hayek, 60 on Sept. 2; Two and a Half Men star Charlie Sheen, 61 on Sept. 3; Batman and Beetlejuice star Michael Keaton, 75 on Sept. 5; original Saturday Night Live cast member Jane Curtin, 79 on Sept. 6; Do the Right Thing actress Rosie Perez, 62 on Sept. 6; and “I Will Survive” singer Gloria Gaynor, 83 on Sept. 7.

That’s it for this week’s Scoop. Whether you’re watching fireworks, hunting for flea-market treasure, dancing on the BroadWalk or simply enjoying one last quiet afternoon at the beach, we hope your Labor Day weekend ends summer on a high note.

Know someone who would enjoy the Scoop? Forward this newsletter and invite them to subscribe—it’s free. Have an event, announcement or local story we should know about? Send it our way! We’re always looking for useful news and good things happening around Monmouth County.

😎See you next week!

The Monmouth Senior Scoop team

Disclaimer: We do our best to keep every date, time and detail accurate, but plans sometimes change faster than Shore traffic. Please confirm before heading out. The Monmouth Senior Scoop shares information for general interest and does not offer medical, legal or financial advice. When in doubt, ask a qualified professional.