Monmouth Senior Scoop: Lawn Chairs, Local Eats & A Whole Foods Countdown

👋Hey, Monmouth friends!

This week, there’s music in the parks, markets to wander, a Cape May day trip calling our name, and a big grocery-store opening on the horizon at the former Monmouth Mall.

🤝 YMCA + Caregiver Volunteers Join Forces — A new partnership aims to expand support for local seniors and caregivers.
🌳 In the Parks — Victorian lace, sailboats, disc golf, swimming, poetry and laundry day, minus the washing machine.
🎶 Outdoor Music — Lawn chairs, tribute bands, waterfront concerts and summer nights that come with a soundtrack.
🍅 Farmers Markets & Good Finds — Fresh produce, handmade goods, craft beer and flea-market treasures.
🍽️ Local Flavor — New restaurants, familiar favorites and a few reasons to make dinner plans.
🛒 Whole Foods Sets an Opening Date — The new Eatontown store is coming to Monmouth Square on July 29.
🥗 In the Kitchen — A cool watermelon, cucumber and feta salad for hot summer days.
🚗 Day Trippin’: Cape May — Big-name concerts, free music, craft shows and shore-town strolling.
📚 Beyond the Books — Library concerts, local history, coastal ecology, beekeeping, tick tips and a thriller author talk.

Up first…

Two longtime community organizations have joined together in a new partnership aimed at expanding services for older adults across the Jersey Shore.

The YMCA of the Jersey Shore and Caregiver Volunteers of Central Jersey officially united on July 1, bringing together decades of experience in wellness, mental health, volunteer service, and independent-living support.

The partnership is designed to help the organizations reach more vulnerable seniors while preserving the programs and personal connections Caregiver Volunteers has built over more than 30 years.

Caregiver Volunteers of Central Jersey provides free services that help older adults remain safely and independently in their homes. Supported by a network of community volunteers, those services include medical transportation, grocery shopping assistance, handyman help, caregiver respite, friendly visits, reassurance calls, veteran support, pet therapy, dementia-focused music programs, and mental health support.

Programs will continue without interruption for current participants, caregivers, and volunteers.

As part of the new structure, Caregiver Volunteers will become part of the YMCA’s Counseling and Social Services branch. The move will give local seniors greater access to the Y’s behavioral health and mental health resources, including safe and confidential services that have supported individuals and families for more than 50 years.

The partnership also strengthens the Y’s broader focus on healthy aging, social connection, emotional wellness, and the growing needs of seniors who want to remain active and independent in their communities.

For older adults and family caregivers, the merger means a larger support network — while keeping the familiar services and volunteers they already know.

We’ve got lace, laundry, sailboats, swimming, disc golf, and poetry this week at Monmouth County Parks. Here’s what’s going down:

🧵 Watch lace get made the old-fashioned way. Head to Historic Longstreet Farm in Holmdel on Saturday, July 11, from 1–3 p.m. for a Victorian lacemaking demonstration featuring crochet, bobbin, and shuttle techniques. It’s intricate, impressive, and requires approximately 900% more patience than we currently possess. Free.

⛵ Learn the ropes. Literally. Experienced sailors can stop by the West Dock at Manasquan Reservoir in Howell on Saturday, July 11, from 1–3 p.m. for Rigging 101. You’ll learn how to rig the park system’s 15-foot American sailboats, and sailors who show proficiency may earn a park system sailing card that lets them rent the boats during drop-in hours. Free.

🏊 Make a splash at Big Brook. The pool at Big Brook Park will also be open Saturdays, July 11, 18, and 25, from 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Admission is $35 for a family of up to four or $10 per person. Cash and credit cards are accepted, and swimming is weather and conditions permitting.

🧺 See why laundry used to take all day. Historic Longstreet Farm is recreating a late Victorian laundry day on Sunday, July 12, from 1–2:30 p.m. Watch the process from lighting the wood stove to ironing the aprons — and leave feeling deeply grateful for your washing machine. Free.

🎤 Take the mic. Poets, readers, and literary types can head to the Thompson Park Theater Barn in Lincroft on Sunday, July 12, from 3–4:30 p.m. for an open mic centered on “The America I Dream Of” and poems inspired by the American Revolution. Read your own work or share a favorite poet, as long as it’s family-friendly. Free.

The forecast calls for lawn chairs, tribute bands, waterfront tunes, and one very fancy trip through America’s national parks — no hiking boots required. Here’s what’s playing:

🎸 Kick off Wednesdays with some Screaming Broccoli. Aberdeen’s Summer Concert Series takes over Veterans Memorial Park in Keyport on Wednesdays from 7–9 p.m. Bring a blanket or chair and catch Screaming Broccoli on July 8, followed by 80’s Revolution on July 15, Larger Than Life on July 22, and Southern Steel on July 29.

🪕 Go country — then Beatles, ’80s, pop, funk, and soul. Colts Neck’s free Sounds of Summer Concert Series starts Thursday, July 9, from 7–8:30 p.m. at Town Hall Pondside with bluegrass band The Last Whippoorwills. The summer lineup also includes Back Beat’s Beatles songbook, Rockit Fish, an Everly Brothers tribute, Black Ties, Local Honey, Acoustic NRG, and Jo & The Highland Express. Bring your lawn chairs.

🌊 Catch Friday-night music by the bay. Keansburg’s Summer Concert Series returns to Baywalk East on Fridays from 7–9 p.m., starting July 10 with Bon Poison. The Suspects, Vyntedge, No Surrender, Soul Stirs, Rising Falls, and White Wedding Band will keep the music going through August.

🎤 Spend Saturday night dancing in Bradley Beach. The Saturdays in the Park Concert Series begins July 11 from 6–8 p.m. at Riley Park with the Moroccan Sheepherders. Upcoming acts include an Elvis tribute, Los Gringos, E Boro Bandits, Jenny Barnes Band, Stretch & the Armstrongs, Reggaefest, and the Mighty Spectrum Band. Bring a chair, grab some local food, and settle in for a summer night on Main Street.

Fresh produce, handmade goods, craft beer, and enough vintage treasure hunting to justify clearing out the trunk first. Here’s where to browse:

🍺 Shop local with a beer in hand. Tall Oaks Farm + Brewery in Farmingdale hosts its weekly Farm + Makers Market on Wednesdays from 4–8 p.m. Stop by July 8, 15, 22, or 29 for local artisan goods, handcrafted finds, and craft beer. It’s basically grocery shopping, but much more fun.

🕰️ Hunt for treasures at Allaire. The Historic Village at Allaire in Wall Township hosts its next flea market on Saturday, July 11, from 8 a.m.–2 p.m. Hundreds of vendors will be selling antiques, collectibles, crafts, and vintage finds — so yes, this is your chance to buy something you absolutely did not know you needed. Additional markets are scheduled monthly through December.

🥖 Make it a market day in Matawan. The Matawan Fresh Farmers & Makers Market returns Saturday, July 11, from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. at 201 Broad St. Expect local farmers, bakers, makers, and food vendors selling produce, treats, handmade goods, and small-batch favorites. It’s casual, family-friendly, and feels more like a neighborhood block party than another weekend errand. The market returns every other Saturday through September.

Monmouth County’s dining scene is serving up a little bit of everything right now — from a beloved Asbury Park comeback to French steaks, Mediterranean flavors, and coffee built for the commuter lane.

🥩 Oceanport gets a French steakhouse. Apéro has opened in the former Blu Grotto space, bringing dry-aged steaks, classic French techniques, and an elegant new look to the local dining scene.

🍸 Mediterranean gets a modern makeover. Numa Modern Mediterranean Kitchen & Bar has opened at The Grove in Shrewsbury with a refined menu built around bold regional flavors, fresh coastal ingredients, and craft cocktails.

☕ Hazlet is getting a new caffeine lane. Drive-thru coffee chain 7 Brew is planning a new Route 35 location as it continues expanding across New Jersey. Expect coffee, energy drinks, and plenty of options for commuters who consider getting out of the car before 9 a.m. an unreasonable request.

The new Whole Foods Market at Monmouth Square finally has an opening date — and yes, you may now begin mentally reorganizing your grocery routine.

The 40,000-square-foot store will open at 8 a.m. Wednesday, July 29, at 180 Route 35 South in Eatontown, inside the redeveloped Monmouth Square shopping center. Regular hours will be 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

The Eatontown store will feature more than 1,000 local items from more than 250 Northeast suppliers, along with a sunny, shore-inspired design that includes pastel colors, neutral tones and raw wood accents.

Shoppers can expect the usual Whole Foods lineup — produce, seafood, meat, specialty cheese, prepared foods, bakery, grocery, wellness and beauty — plus plenty of local and regional names. The store will carry items such as mushrooms from Mushroom King Farm, coffee from Paper Plane Coffee Co., pasta sauce from Hoboken Farms, mozzarella from Lioni Latticini, breads from Balthazar Bakery and Bread Alone Bakery, and more.

Opening morning will come with a few extras: samples from Palazzone 1960 and Paper Plane Coffee Co., plus limited-edition Eatontown tote bags and Secret Saver coupons for the first 300 customers in line. Coupons will offer savings of up to $100.

Whole Foods also said it will mark the opening with a refrigerated van, food donation and monetary donation to NJ Rise, a nonprofit that helps rescue surplus food and serve local communities.

The new market is one of the major pieces of the larger Monmouth Square transformation, as the former Monmouth Mall continues its shift from enclosed mall to open-air shopping and dining destination. Translation: the Eatontown Circle is still a construction adventure — but the grocery aisle is about to get a serious upgrade.

On a hot summer afternoon, turning on a hot stove or chewing through tough, heavy foods is the last thing anyone wants to do. A fantastic, refreshing recipe to try this season is a Watermelon, Cucumber & Feta Salad with Mint Dressing.

This dish is incredibly popular for summer gatherings because it hits the perfect balance of sweet, salty, and savory. For seniors, it is a nutritional powerhouse: watermelon and cucumber are over 90% water, making this an excellent, flavorful way to boost hydration on humid days. Additionally, the soft textures are incredibly gentle to chew, and the entire dish comes together in minutes without using a single burner.

1.Prep the fruit and veg: Chop the watermelon into small, bite-sized cubes. Slice the cucumber thinly. Toss both into a large, lightweight mixing bowl.

2.Whisk the light dressing: In a separate small bowl, vigorously whisk together the olive oil, fresh lime juice, and a tiny pinch of salt until thoroughly blended.

3.Combine and coat: Drizzle the dressing over the watermelon and cucumber. Gently toss them together with a large spoon so everything is lightly coated without crushing the melon.

4.Top and chill: Scatter the crumbled feta cheese and finely chopped fresh mint across the top. Serve immediately, or let it sit in the refrigerator for 15 minutes to get ice-cold and refreshing.

Cape May is turning up the volume this summer with big-name concerts, free outdoor music, oceanfront craft shows, and a few easygoing daytime outings. Here’s what’s happening:

🎤 See a legend at Convention Hall. Cape May Convention Hall on Beach Avenue has a packed summer lineup, with accessible indoor seating and national acts including The Stylistics on July 12, Joan Osborne on July 26, The Spinners on Aug. 2, A.J. Croce on Aug. 7, and The Legendary Wailers on Aug. 9. Beach by day, concert by night. Not a bad little itinerary.

🎺 Catch free music in the park. Rotary Park hosts free concerts every Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday at 7 p.m. Highlights include the Congress Street Brass Band on July 10, Cape Shore Jazz Orchestra on July 19, Jack Melton Swing Band on July 25, and the John Walter Cape Community Band on Aug. 24. Bring a lawn chair or blanket — the benches tend to fill quickly.

⛴️ Dance by the ferry. The Wednesday Night Concert Series returns to the Green at the Cape May Ferry Terminal, with gates opening at 5 p.m. and music from 5:30–8:30 p.m. The free lineup includes the Sensational Soul Cruisers on July 8, Jimmy Buffett tribute band Jimmy & The Parrots on July 22, and Springsteen tribute E Street Shuffle on Aug. 19. Food and drinks will be available on-site.

🛍️ Browse with an ocean view. The Promenade Craft Shows return July 18 and 19 outside Convention Hall. The flat, boardwalk setting makes for easy strolling while you shop from local artists and independent makers — with the Atlantic Ocean providing the backdrop.

🌿 Take a walk on the farm side. Beach Plum Farm offers guided tours every Thursday at 11 a.m. The relaxed walking tour explores the farm’s sustainable agriculture, gardens, and gathering spaces. It’s peaceful, scenic, and a nice change of pace from the crowds along the promenade.

The Monmouth County Library is going well beyond books this week with live music, local history, bees, beach science, summer safety, and a bestselling thriller writer. Here’s what’s happening:

🎶 Take a musical trip through the decades. Rhythm N’ Sound brings a live musical revue to the Howell Branch on Wednesday, July 8, at 2 p.m. Expect popular standards and familiar favorites from the 1940s through the ’80s, including Doo-Wop, Motown, and early rock ’n’ roll. Toe-tapping is strongly encouraged.

🏖️ Learn why dunes do more than look pretty. The Eastern Branch in Shrewsbury hosts The Importance of Dunes to Coastal Ecology on Wednesday, July 8, from 7–8 p.m. The in-person presentation will explore how dunes protect the shoreline, support local wildlife, and help coastal communities weather the elements.

🇺🇸 Revisit the Battle of Monmouth. History buffs can head to the Holmdel Branch on Wednesday, July 8, from 7–8 p.m. for All History Is Local: Battle of Monmouth Courthouse. The program looks at the events leading up to the 1778 battle, what unfolded locally, and how its impact was felt afterward.

🎸 Rock your Friday afternoon. The Rave On! Duo comes to Library Headquarters in Manalapan on Friday, July 10, at 2 p.m. for a World Rock Day celebration featuring classic singer-songwriter hits from the 1950s through the ’80s. No earplugs required.

🐝 Get the buzz on backyard beekeeping. Award-winning beekeeper Ray Pogwist visits the Eastern Branch in Shrewsbury on Monday, July 13, from 1:30–2:30 p.m. to explain the basics of keeping bees and managing a hive in New Jersey.

🦟 Keep mosquitoes and ticks off the guest list. Marissa Mascaro of the Monmouth County Mosquito Control Division leads a summer safety seminar at the Eastern Branch on Tuesday, July 14, from 1:30–2:30 p.m. Learn how to protect your yard, your pets, and yourself while spending time outdoors.

🎨 Calling local artists 60 and older. The deadline to apply for the 2026 Monmouth County Senior Art Show is Friday, July 17. Independent visual artists age 60 and older who live in Monmouth County can submit through Monmouth Arts. Accepted work will be displayed later this summer at Library Headquarters in Manalapan.

This week’s story about the YMCA of the Jersey Shore and Caregiver Volunteers joining forces is a good reminder that “aging in place” is not just about staying in your house.

It’s about rides to the doctor. A friendly phone call. Help with groceries. A therapy dog visit. A little respite for the caregiver who is doing their best.

Sometimes independence takes a village — and luckily, around here, we’ve got a pretty good one.

That’s it for this week. Have fun and stay hydrated!

Have news, events or a good local tip to share? Get in touch — we’d love to hear what’s happening in your corner of Monmouth County.

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😎See you next week!

The Monmouth Senior Scoop

Little disclaimer: We do our best to keep things accurate, but times, dates and details can change. Check with organizers before you grab the keys and go. Also, information in this newsletter is for general interest only and should not be considered medical or financial advice.