Monmouth Senior Scoop – News & Events for Oct. 29 to Nov. 3

🍂 The final days of October are here — and Monmouth County’s got plenty of ways to make the most of them! From candlelit concerts to coffee festivals and fall farm fun, it’s a week made for sweaters, stories, and maybe a little mischief. 🧙

👀What’s on tap this week:

🎻 Events Around Town: Candlelight Halloween concert at Monmouth University, The Drop Off in Long Branch, and the NJ Coffee Festival ☕
🎄 Shop & Stroll: Holiday markets pop up in Middletown and Hazlet — perfect for early gift hunters and vintage treasure seekers.
🎶 Live & Local: Father Alphonse’s Orchestra brings Broadway and film favorites to the Algonquin in Manasquan.
👠 Take the Grandkids: Step into a fairy tale with Cinderella in Deal or head outdoors for pumpkin bowling and hayrides at Twin Pond Farm in Freehold.
📺 TV Time: New to stream — Hedda, Ballad of a Small Player, and Jurassic World Rebirth, plus fresh series from Apple TV+, MGM+, and HBO.

Up first…

Links to the latest news on aging from trusted media sources.

SSA Announces 2026 Cost-of-Living Adjustment of 2.8%: The annual benefit increase to both Social Security and Supplemental Security Income help ensure benefits keep up with inflation. CNBC, Oct. 24.

Private Medicare, Medicaid Plans Exaggerate In-Network Mental Health Options, Watchdogs Say: Companies running private Medicare and Medicaid insurance plans inaccurately list many mental health professionals as being available to treat the plans’ members. KFF Health News, Oct. 20.

Mental Exercise Can Reverse a Brain Change Linked to Aging: A new study finds that cognitive training can increase the levels of a key chemical messenger in the brain responsible for decision-making, and reverse a process associated with aging. NPR, Oct. 22.

Cataract Surgery Becoming an In-Office Procedure: Cataract surgery is being done in eye surgeons’ offices, rather than in a hospital or surgical center. Patients receive the surgery with minimal sedation using diazepam pills. HealthDay News, Oct. 23.

Child-Free Cruises Perfect for Your Retirement Celebration: How to find a bespoke ocean or river vacation geared to adults. Many of these options are smaller, charming river cruises, expeditions, or niche experiences. Kiplinger, Oct. 25.

🎻 Candlelight Concert: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics
📍 Pollak Theater, Monmouth University, West Long Branch
🕗 Thu, Oct. 30 | 7–8:30 PM
Spooky string quartet + thousands of candles = one hauntingly magical night. Expect eerie favorites like Thriller, Danse Macabre, and the Stranger Things theme.
Info & Tickets »

🎭 The Drop Off
📍 NJ Repertory Company, Long Branch
🗓️ Oct. 30 – Nov. 23 | Various showtimes
Set in Vegas, this heartfelt dramedy dives into the complicated bond between a mother and daughter. A touching, funny must-see.
Showtimes & Info »

☕ NJ Coffee Festival Fall Edition
📍 iPlay America, Freehold
🗓️ Nov. 1–2 | 9 AM–4 PM
Sip, sample, and caffeinate your way through vendors, workshops, and coffee cocktails. Bring your buzz and your tote bag.
Details Here »

🎄 Holiday Antique, Vintage & Collectibles Market
📍 Middletown Arts Center
🕘 Sat, Nov. 1 | 9 AM–2 PM
Shop for retro treasures — vinyl, vintage clothes, toys, jewelry, and one-of-a-kind gifts.
More Info »

🧶 Hazlet Holiday Craft Fair
📍 1776 Union Ave, Hazlet
🕚 Sat, Nov. 1 | 11 AM–4 PM
Free to enter! Browse handmade crafts, home goods, food, and more from local artisans.

🎶 Father Alphonse’s Orchestra of St. Peter by the Sea
📍 Algonquin Theatre, Manasquan
🕒 Sun, Nov. 2 | 3–5 PM
An afternoon of film scores and Broadway favorites performed live by a beloved local orchestra.
Tickets »

🎸 Everything Fab Four Fest
📍 Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel, Asbury Park
🗓️ Nov. 6–8 | Multi-day event
Celebrate the Beatles’ Rubber Soul with concerts, celebrity guests, rare memorabilia & more. Max Weinberg and Jake Clemons among the fab lineup.
Get the Scoop »

Here’s what’s happening beyond the stacks at Monmouth County libraries this week.

🎬 Victor Frankenstein (PG‑13) hits the screen at Hazlet on Wed, Oct. 29 at 2 PM — with James McAvoy and Daniel Radcliffe putting a new spin on an old monster. Mad science + big feelings = a perfect spooky matinee. 🧪💀
📍 Hazlet Township Branch

👣 Do You Believe in Bigfoot? You just might after Do You Believe Tour ’25, hosted by NJ’s own Mike Familant on Oct. 29 at 7 PM. Big footprints, bold claims, and lots of local lore. 🐾
📍 Hazlet Township Branch

🪦 Haunted History, Right in Monmouth — Historian Greg Caggiano explores the spooky side of our local cemeteries on Oct. 29 at 7 PM. True crime, ghost stories, and shark attack victims included.
📍 Eastern Branch, Shrewsbury

🧛‍♂️ Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice (2024) returns from the Afterlife on Thurs, Oct. 30 at 2 PM. Lydia’s back. Her daughter’s in trouble. And you know who’s about to get summoned… 👻
📍 Ocean Township Branch

📻 War of the Worlds — Celebrate the night Martians "invaded" NJ with a live reenactment of Orson Welles’s legendary radio drama on Thurs, Oct. 30 at 3 PM.
📍 Marlboro Branch

✍️ Monmouth Writers Group — Share your work and get feedback at this friendly monthly meetup on Sat, Nov. 1 from 9:30 AM–12:30 PM. Bring 6 copies if you want a critique!
📍 Headquarters, Manalapan

🎶 Rhythm N’ Sound Live! — Sway to hits from the ’40s to the ’80s with this lively trio on Sat, Nov. 1 at 2 PM. Rock, doo‑wop, Motown, disco — all in one hour of toe‑tapping fun.
📍 Hazlet Township Branch

🧘 Chair Yoga with Stacy Neufeld returns to Holmdel on Mon, Nov. 3 at 9:30 AM. Seated stretching, breath work, and a calming sound bath to start your week grounded.
📍 Holmdel Branch

💬 SHIP Q&A: Medicare Help — On Mon, Nov. 3 from 2:30–4 PM, get free, one‑on‑one Medicare advice from certified counselor Kalpana Sheth. Walk-ins welcome!
📍 Headquarters, Manalapan

🎭 Improv Workshop — Think on your feet and laugh while you learn on Mon, Nov. 3 at 6:30 PM. No experience needed — just bring your humor and an open mind.
📍 Hazlet Township Branch

🌳 Genealogy Club — Dig into your roots at this friendly group session on Wed, Nov. 5 at 2 PM. Presentation + discussion = family history fun.
📍 Eastern Branch, Shrewsbury

📚 Banned Book Club: Of Mice and Men — Join the conversation on Wed, Nov. 5 at 6 PM. No registration needed — just read and speak your truth.
📍 Hazlet Township Branch

🌿 Eco-Friendly Gardening — Learn how to make your yard a haven for birds and pollinators while keeping it low-maintenance. Patchwork for Wildlife presents on Wed, Nov. 5 at 7 PM.
📍 Eastern Branch, Shrewsbury

🎯 Open Enrollment = Prime Scam Season
Medicare scammers love October 15 to December 7 — don’t let them win. If someone’s pushing free tests, pressuring you for info, or pretending to be Medicare, hit pause. Stay sharp. Read more »

🚔 Jail Time for Medicare Fraudster
A shady marketer just got nearly 5 years in prison for tricking seniors into unneeded genetic tests — sometimes at grocery stores or pharmacies! His team targeted Medicare enrollees using misleading pitches. Read more »

From cozy history tours to corn-grinding demos, the Monmouth County Park System is serving up crisp fall adventures all month long. Grab your sweater — it’s a November to remember!

Take a peek into Monmouth County’s 18th-century charm with a guided tour of Historic Portland Place. The beautifully restored home tells the story of the Hartshorne family legacy — and the views from Hartshorne Woods Park? Gorgeous.
🗓️ Wed–Sun: Oct. 29–Nov. 2, 5–9, 12–16
🕰️ Tours at 10:30, 11:30 AM, 1:30, 2:30 PM
📍 Portland Place, Locust
💵 FREE | Register on-site at the Visitor Center

Catch the cornmeal magic as a real 19th-century gristmill comes to life! Short & sweet demos — perfect for grandkids or nostalgic grown-ups.
🗓️ Sat & Sun: Nov. 1–2, 8–9, 15–16, 22–23
🕰️ 12:30, 1:30, 2:30 & 3:30 PM
📍 Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold
💵 FREE | Each demo is ~15 min

Drop in and explore hands-on exhibits, say hello to live turtles & snakes, and get inspired by local wildlife — all at your own pace.
🗓️ Weekends in November
🕰️ 10 AM – 4 PM
📍 Huber Woods Environmental Center, Middletown
💵 FREE

Take a self-guided stroll through trails bursting with late-autumn color — quiet, scenic, and perfect for birdwatching or peaceful leaf-crunching walks.
📍 Freneau Woods Park, Aberdeen
🕰️ Sunrise to sunset daily
💵 FREE | No registration needed

Saturday, November 8 | 9 AM – 2 PM
📍 Fort Monmouth Rec Center, Tinton Falls

Get a head start on your holiday shopping at this cozy craft show packed with handmade treasures from local artisans. 🎨✨ Admission and parking? Totally FREE!

Dreaming of your next escape? From Christmas markets to cruise ships, here are four fabulous ways to get out there — or plan ahead!

🛳️ Set Sail for America’s 250th in Style
Want front-row seats to history? On July 4, 2026, Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 will anchor in New York Harbor to headline Sail4th 250 — the official celebration of America’s 250th birthday. Guests aboard will enjoy unmatched views of a massive International Parade of Sail, Macy’s fireworks over the Manhattan skyline, and special onboard performances, lectures, and entertainment. Following the celebrations, the ship will continue her journey with calls in Newport, Rhode Island, and Halifax, Nova Scotia, before returning to New York.👉 More at cunard.com

🎉 Ring in 2026 with a Jersey Gala
Looking to celebrate New Year’s Eve in style — without heading to Times Square? NewYearsNJ.com is hosting two luxe hotel parties: one at the Sheraton Parsippany, the other at the Hanover Marriott. Enjoy premium open bar, hors d’oeuvres, a three-course dinner, and dancing to live bands like Daddy Pop and Audio Riot. 🎶 Bonus: both events feature a “Lights Out” Frankie Valli tribute and come with overnight accommodations, breakfast, and late checkout. Info

🧭 Alaska Awaits: Royal Caribbean’s 2027 Season
Looking to plan way ahead? Royal Caribbean just dropped its 2027 Alaska cruise lineup — 7-night voyages from Seattle, Seward, and Vancouver aboard ships like Anthem of the Seas and Quantum of the Seas. Expect jaw-dropping scenery through the Inside Passage, stops in Juneau, Sitka, and Ketchikan, and optional land add-ons to Denali with luxury dome-train rides. 🚂 A perfect mix of adventure and comfort, with accessible options available.
🔗 Peek the itineraries »

Crisp apples, homemade pies, and the last of the Jersey tomatoes — fall farmers’ markets are still going strong across Monmouth County! Here’s where to stock up on local goodness this week.

🍂 Brielle Organic Fall Farm Market
📍 Brielle Public Library, 610 South St.
🗓️ Wednesdays: Oct. 29, Nov. 12 & Nov. 19 | 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM
This cozy library-side market features fresh organic produce from Muth Family Farm — perfect for grabbing greens, gourds, and fall veggies with a side of small-town charm. Info

🌽 Highlands Farmers Market
📍 Huddy Park, 329 Bay Ave
🗓️ Saturdays: Nov. 1, 8, 15 & 22 | 8:30 AM – 2:00 PM
Come for the fresh finds, stay for the bay breeze! This market mixes local produce, baked goods, and handmade treasures with a waterfront view that’s hard to beat.

🍎 Red Bank Farmers Market
📍 Red Bank Galleria, W Front St & Bridge Ave
🗓️ Sundays: Nov. 2, 9, 16 & 23 | 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
A Sunday staple! Enjoy a bustling market full of farm-to-table eats, unique crafts, and local flavor. It's a perfect spot to shop, stroll, and soak up the Red Bank vibe. Info

Fall’s bounty is here — squash, sweet potatoes and kale are in season and super nutritious. Try this delicious recipe from the Rutgers Cooperative Extension. Info

Looking for something fresh to watch as the leaves fall and the popcorn pops? Here’s what’s hitting your favorite streaming platforms this week:

🎥 New Movies

🕯️ Hedda (Prime Video, Wed)
Tessa Thompson and Nina Hoss shine in this fiery reimagining of Ibsen’s classic. Set in 1950s England, Hedda oozes drama, desire, and manipulation — all during one unforgettable estate party. Directed by Nia DaCosta (Candyman), with themes of race, gender, and queerness folded in.

🎲 Ballad of a Small Player (Netflix, Wed)
Colin Farrell plays a haunted high-stakes gambler on the run in Macao. This sleek neo-noir from Conclave director Edward Berger is moody, mysterious — and a bit polarizing, according to early reviews.

🦖 Jurassic World Rebirth (Peacock, Oct. 30)
Babysitting the grandkids this week? Scarlett Johansson and Mahershala Ali join the dino-sized action in this latest chapter of the Jurassic saga. It’s got awe, it’s got roars, and according to critics — it’s a real return to form.

📺 New Series

🕵️ Down Cemetery Road (Apple TV+, Wed)
From the writer behind Slow Horses comes another twisty Brit thriller. Emma Thompson plays a bold, no-nonsense detective with Ruth Wilson as her reluctant sidekick. Expect wit, mystery, and top-notch performances.

🏹 Robin Hood (MGM+, Nov. 2)
This isn’t your grandma’s Sherwood Forest. In this “romance adventure,” Rob and Marian (Jack Patten and Lauren McQueen) fight corruption while falling for each other. Sean Bean menaces as the Sheriff of Nottingham.

🎃Looking for a Halloween treat that’s easy, adorable, and sure to earn you “Best Grandma/Grandpa Ever” status? Enter: PEEPS® Pumpkin Patch Pails! With just a few simple ingredients — chocolate pudding, cookie crumbs, and those smiley little marshmallow pumpkins — you and your grandkids can whip up a mini edible pumpkin patch in no time. No baking, no fuss… just sweet, silly fun and lots of happy little hands helping out. Perfect for Halloween parties, after-school surprises, or cozy kitchen memories.
Get the Recipe »

Looking for some fun, festive ways to make memories with the little ones? These two outings are perfect for grandparents and grandkids alike — with just the right mix of magic and muddy boots.

✨ Cinderella at Axelrod Performing Arts Center
📍 100 Grant Ave, Deal, NJ
🗓️ Nov. 6–23 | Various showtimes
Glass slippers, fairy godmothers, and a whole lot of Rodgers & Hammerstein charm — this stage version of Cinderella is pure magic. Whether it’s their first musical or their tenth, kids will be enchanted. Bonus: adults will love it too.
👑 Get Tickets »

🎃 Twin Pond Farm Fall Fest
📍 49 Howell Rd, Freehold, NJ
🗓️ Nov. 1–2 | 10 AM–5 PM
This farm is fall family fun at its finest: hayrides, a 9-acre corn maze, bounce pad, duck races, pumpkin bowling, and more. Let the kids run wild while you soak up the autumn vibes (and maybe grab a cider donut or two).
🌽 More Info »

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Don’t forget to snap a pic — these are memory-making days.

🎂 Cheers to Eva P. of Keansburg, turning 79!
Wishing you a joyful birthday filled with smiles, sweet surprises, and a little extra cake. You make 79 look fabulous — and Keansburg proud! 🎈💐

🎉 A few other notables celebrating birthdays this week:

Oct. 26: Jaclyn Smith (“Charlie’s Angels”) turns 80, Pat Sajak (“Wheel of Fortune”) is 79
Oct. 27: John Cleese (Monty Python) is 86, Garry Tallent (E Street Band) is 76
Oct. 28: Jane Alexander is 86, Dennis Franz (“NYPD Blue”) is 81
Oct. 29: Melba Moore is 80, Richard Dreyfuss is 78
Oct. 30: Grace Slick is 86, Otis Williams is 84, Henry Winkler (“The Fonz”) is 80
Oct. 31: Dan Rather turns 94

🎬 Deliver Me from Nowhere — the much-anticipated Bruce Springsteen biopic starring Jeremy Allen White — hit theaters last Friday. But while the story spans the country, the filming magic happened right here in the Garden State, with $41.8 million spent during just 31 days of shooting!

🏆 Thanks to the NJEDA’s Film & Digital Media Tax Credit, New Jersey took center stage — and showed off its chameleon skills by doubling as cities across America. Here’s where the cameras rolled and what each NJ location became on screen:

📍 Meadowlands Arena (East Rutherford) → Riverfront Arena in Cincinnati and LA Sports Arena
📍 Central & Konoz Restaurants (Newark) → NYC restaurants
📍 Washington Street (Newark) → 8th Avenue, New York City
📍 Nutria Alley (Newark) → Los Angeles Chinatown
📍 Hunan Taste (Denville) → Chinatown restaurant in Los Angeles
📍 Route 23 in High Point State Park (Montague) → Blue Ridge Mountains (Georgia to Pennsylvania!)
📍 Eisenhower Parkway (Roseland) → Memphis, near Graceland
📍 A farm in Harding Township → Archer County Fair in Texas

Filming also took place in:
Asbury Park (of course!), Bayonne, Chatham, Freehold, Jersey City, Montclair, Mountain Lakes, Orange, Rahway and Rockaway.

🎟️ Deliver Me from Nowhere is now playing in theaters — and with so much Jersey magic behind the scenes, it's practically a local documentary. (And it’s also a pretty great film about Bruce!)

P.S. What’s your all-time favorite Bruce song? Let us know — we just might build a Better With Age Bruce playlist!

⁉️Questions, comments or news to share? Email us: [email protected]

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😊See you next week!

The Better With Age New Jersey team

_{Disclaimer: We’re here to share community news, events, and a little joy—never medical, legal, or financial advice. Take what’s useful, share what’s fun, and always check with the pros when it really counts.}