It’s a busy weekend ahead in Monmouth! We’ve got theater in Red Bank, jazz and Gregorian chants at the Basie, Irish celebrations popping up all over the county, wildlife walks at Sandy Hook, flea market treasure hunting, and enough Easter egg hunts to keep the grandkids busy for weeks.

The libraries are doing their usual magic too — with Irish music, chair yoga, wellness programs, and Medicare help — and if tax season has you staring nervously at a pile of paperwork, AARP volunteers are stepping in with free help.

We’ve also got a few kitchen ideas for National Nutrition Month (potatoes are having a moment), a Lunar New Year celebration in Manalapan, and a heads-up for anyone thinking about selling their wares at this summer’s Monmouth County Fair.

In other words: plenty to do, see, eat, and maybe even cross off your to-do list this week. Let’s get into it!

🎭 Out & About
Theater, jazz, Irish celebrations, wildlife walks, flea market finds, and a few reasons to head to Red Bank.

📚 Beyond the Books
Irish folk music, chair yoga, wellness talks, and free Medicare help at the library.

🃏 Game On
Bridge and Mahjongg meetups in West Long Branch and Holmdel.

🧾 AARP Tax-Aide
Free in-person tax help at Marlboro, Shrewsbury, and Wall library branches.

👧 Take the Grandkids
Egg hunts, bunny sightings, and a festive Lunar New Year celebration in Manalapan.

🍽 In the Kitchen
Potatoes step out of the side-dish shadows for National Nutrition Month.

🚗 Day Trippin’
Why Asbury Park’s boardwalk is still one of the best shore strolls around.

Up first…

Commissioners to host Older Adults Resource Fair on March 25

The Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners is pleased to announce that the 2026 Older Adults Resource Fair will be held on Wednesday, March 25, from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Monmouth County Library Headquarters, 125 Symmes Drive.

“The Older Adults Resource Fair is a special event where guests can explore a wide range of programs and services available to the County’s older adults and their caregivers,” said Commissioner Director Thomas A. Arnone. “Events like this help our seniors learn more about the many resources available to them through the County. We encourage those planning to attend the March 25 event to preregister by calling 732-431-7450.”

“During the 2026 Older Adults Resource Fair, attendees will have the opportunity to speak with representatives from local agencies who can provide guidance and assistance with a variety of services,” said Commissioner Susan M. Kiley, liaison to the Division on Aging, Disabilities and Veterans Services. “Information on benefits eligibility screening, healthcare, home care, nutrition programs, social activities, utility assistance and more will be available.”

For more information about the Monmouth County Division on Aging, Disabilities and Veterans Services, go to monmouthadvs.com.

Calling all artists, crafters, food vendors, and local businesses: applications are now open to become a vendor at the 51st Annual Monmouth County Fair, coming to the East Freehold Showgrounds on Kozloski Road from Wednesday, July 22 through Sunday, July 26.

This is the county’s biggest family-friendly fair of the year, with rides, live entertainment, 4-H shows, exhibits, Home and Garden competitions, and plenty more — so it’s a pretty great place to get your goods in front of a crowd. Food vendor lottery selection starts Wednesday, March 25, and exhibitor, crafter, and commercial vendor lotteries begin Thursday, April 16. Just one important deadline: completed food vendor applications with payment must be in by Friday, March 20 to make it into the drawing.

For application packets and details, head to MonmouthCountyFair.com. You can also call 732-842-4000 for more information.

Plenty going on this week if you’re in the mood to get out of the house and into something fun.

Red Bank takes center stage with A Doll’s House at Two River Theater from March 11–15. This new adaptation reimagines the classic story in 1950s New Jersey and weaves Black culture into the drama, giving this old favorite a fresh twist. Showtimes vary, so check before you go.

Also on Thursday, March 12, you’ve got choices. Fox Hollow Vineyards in Holmdel is hosting a St. Patrick’s Day Celebration from 5 to 9 p.m. with a traditional Irish dinner, live music, and winery vibes. Over in Red Bank, Spyro Gyra brings its jazz chops to The Vogel at 7:30 p.m., while Gregorian: Pure Chants World Tour fills the Basie main theatre with those dramatic chant-meets-pop sounds the same night.

For a fresh-air pick, the Seal and Winter Waterfowl Walk at Sandy Hook on Friday, March 13, from 10 a.m. to noon sounds like a winner. You’ll caravan to wildlife viewing spots around the Hook and learn about the seals and birds that spend winter along the shore. Bundle up.

That same night, nostalgia rolls into Red Bank with The Simon & Garfunkel Story at the Count Basie Center on Friday at 7:30 p.m. Expect all the big songs, plenty of memories, and a nice excuse to hum “Mrs. Robinson” on the drive home.

Saturday, March 14 is stacked. The Allaire Village Flea Market runs from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., with shopping plus stops at the bakery, general store, and historic buildings. At Bell Works in Holmdel, the Catsbury Park Adopt & Shop Fair from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. brings adoptable animals, pet-themed vendors, and a whole lot of cute. Then at 2 p.m., the Cook College Ramblers bring an Irish Celebration to the Monmouth County Library Eastern Branch in Shrewsbury with folk songs, reels, ballads, and singalongs.

On Sunday, March 15, Allaire Village keeps the Irish spirit going with Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., featuring an Irish fiddler, historic demos, hearth cooking, and a scavenger hunt. Then cap off the weekend with The Irish Tenors at the Count Basie Center in Red Bank at 7 p.m.

Looking a little ahead, Doggie Sweets in Long Branch is throwing a St. Patrick’s Day Paw-ty on Tuesday, March 17, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Bring your pup in green and they’ll get a free “muttini,” which honestly is reason enough.

And for next week’s calendar, Jesus Christ Superstar opens at Spring Lake Theater on March 19 and runs through March 29, with both evening and matinee performances. So yes, the calendar is staying busy.

Solo Agers Are Redefining Retirement: More retirees are embracing independence and building fulfilling, secure lives on their own terms. Kiplinger, March 7.

Many Americans Still Don’t Know At-Home Colon Cancer Screening Is an Option: Colon cancer is now a leading cancer killer, even though screening can help catch — and prevent — it before it turns serious. HealthDay News, March 5.

Could AI Robots Help Seniors Stay Home Longer? Early findings suggest they may boost wellness, support daily life, and improve quality of life for older adults aging in place. Elder Law Answers, March 3.

Frustrated With Your Medicare Advantage Plan? Plenty of People Are: Member satisfaction slipped last year as trust in Medicare Advantage plans declined and policy changes added to the frustration. Kiplinger, March 7.

The Easter Bunny is officially booked and busy, and Monmouth County is serving up enough egg hunts, bunny sightings, and sugar-fueled fun to keep the grandkids very happy. Here’s your date-by-date guide to the cutest Easter happenings around.

March 21 – Belmar Easter Egg Hunt
Starting at 11 a.m., more than 3,500 eggs will be hidden in the sand for young hunters in Belmar, with groups divided by age and an appearance by the Easter Bunny. Rain date is March 28. It all happens at 4th and 5th avenues and Ocean Avenue, Belmar.

March 21, 22, 28 & 29, and April 4 – Easter Eggstravaganza at G&G Stables
This farm favorite in Howell features an Easter egg hunt, hayrides, barrel rides, petting zoo, petting farm, and games. Pony rides, face painting, and food are available for purchase. Held at G&G Stables, 49 Driftway Road, Howell. Cost is $10 for adults and $15 for children.

March 22 – The Annual Spring Red Bank Egg Hunt
The fun starts at 9 a.m. at Count Basie Park, 11 Henry Street, Red Bank. Families can meet the Easter Bunny, snap photos, and enjoy a classic community egg hunt.

March 27 – Glow in the Dark Bradley Beach Easter Egg Hunt
For the bigger kids, this one’s a fun twist. The annual glow-in-the-dark hunt begins at 7 p.m. on the Bradley Beach Boardwalk and is open to 5th through 12th graders, with prizes for all ages.

March 28 – Sonny the Bunny’s Colossal Carrot Adventure at iPlay America
From 10 a.m. to noon, this Freehold event includes a bunny trail, treat-filled eggs, holiday photo ops, and raffle prizes, including an iPlay America Mega Birthday Party giveaway. Guests dining at the Bistro can also get free photos with Sonny the Bunny. It’s at iPlay America, 110 Schanck Road, Freehold.

March 28 – Annual Easter Egg Hunt at Battleview Orchards
Starting at 1 p.m., kids toddlers through age 10 can join the hunt at Battleview Orchards, 91 Wemrock Road, Freehold. There’s also an Easter coloring contest and door prizes after the hunt. Admission is free with a non-perishable food donation or monetary donation to the local food bank. Register at the country store between 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

March 29 – Jenkinson’s Annual Easter Egg Hunt
At 1 p.m. in Point Pleasant Beach, kids up to age 10 can dig for eggs on the beach, with different areas set aside by age group. There’s also an Accessible/Special Needs Egg Hunt at the Adventure Lookout Ropes Course, with no age limit. Each child is limited to three eggs. Held on Ocean Avenue, Point Pleasant Beach.

March 29 – Seaside Heights Easter Egg Hunt
Also at 1 p.m., Seaside Heights hosts an egg hunt on the beach and boardwalk featuring high-tech Easter eggs and prize drawings. Every entrant wins at least one prize.

The library calendar is doing a little bit of everything this week — music, movement, wellness, and Medicare help included.

Eastern Branch in Shrewsbury is bringing the Irish spirit on Saturday, March 14, from 2 to 3 p.m. with The Cook College Ramblers: An Irish Celebration. Expect lively folk tunes, ballads, reels, rebel songs, and pub singalongs — basically, a musical trip to the Emerald Isle without the airfare.

Over in Holmdel, the Chair Yoga Series with Stacy Newfeld returns on Monday, March 16, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. This gentle class includes breath work, seated stretching, mindful movement, and a short sound immersion to help you start the week feeling a little more centered. Registration is suggested, but not required.

At the West Long Branch Library, WISE: Wellness Initiative for Senior Education meets on Monday, March 16, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. This educational program for adults 60 and older covers healthy aging topics and cultural and generational diversity. You can attend one session or keep coming back for more, but registration is required and space is limited.

Need help sorting through Medicare questions? Library Headquarters in Manalapan is offering One-on-One SHIP Q&A on Monday, March 16, from 2:30 to 4 p.m. This free service provides confidential, unbiased guidance for Medicare beneficiaries, families, and caregivers. It’s first come, first served, and walk-ins are welcome.

Then on Tuesday, March 17, from 10 to 10:45 a.m., Manalapan hosts Chair Yoga with Lisa Broad, a beginner-friendly class designed to improve flexibility, balance, range of motion, and stress relief — all without having to get down on the floor. No registration is required, and the chair does a lot of the heavy lifting.

March is National Nutrition Month, and apparently it’s time for potatoes to stop being underestimated, according to Potatoes USA. If you’re looking to eat a little better without giving up flavor, this is your sign to swap them in.

A medium skin-on potato packs nearly one-third of your daily vitamin C, 620 mg of potassium — more than a banana — plus 3 grams of protein, 2 grams of fiber, iron, and vitamin B6. Not bad for something that’s been unfairly reduced to “just a side dish.”

A few smart ideas to try: roasted potato croutons for extra crunch in salads, hash brown toasts as a gluten-free stand-in for bread, and a quiche with hash brown shreds instead of pastry crust for a lighter twist. Same comfort-food energy, just with a more nutritious spin.

Your couch has a busy week ahead!

Awards night is going streaming. The 97th Academy Awards air live on ABC at 7 p.m. EDT on Sunday, March 15, and for the first time, they’ll also stream on Hulu. So if you’ve been meaning to catch up on the nominees before Hollywood starts handing out statues, this is your sign.

For the drama crowd: Nicole Kidman stars as forensic icon Kay Scarpetta in a new series premiering Wednesday, with Jamie Lee Curtis, Bobby Cannavale, Ariana DeBose, Simon Baker, and more in the cast. Crime, mystery, big names — all the ingredients are there.

For the Yellowstone-style crowd: “The Madison” debuts on Paramount+ on Saturday, March 14, with Michelle Pfeiffer leading a family drama set in Montana after a life-changing tragedy. Also in the cast: Kurt Russell, Patrick J. Adams, Matthew Fox, and Beau Garrett.

“Zootopia 2” lands on Disney+ Wednesday, bringing back rabbit officer Judy Hopps and fox partner Nick Wilde for another animated mystery. If the grandkids liked the first one, this is an easy pick for family movie night.

“Sesame Street” drops four new episodes Monday on Netflix, giving the little ones a fresh batch of familiar faces, songs, and lessons — and giving grandparents a very reliable viewing option that still holds up.

Asbury Park is doing what Asbury Park does best: giving you a boardwalk day with options. In its Jersey Shore roundup, Travel + Leisure highlights the one-mile-long Asbury Park Boardwalk for its mix of shopping, dining, drinks, and entertainment. The piece specifically calls out live music at Wonder Bar and The Stone Pony, plus family-friendly fun at Silverball Retro Arcade and Asbury Eighteen mini golf.

And yes, they get into the food, too. The article mentions The Iron Whale, Maruca’s Tomato Pies, and Stella Marina as go-to stops when hunger hits. If you want to make it an overnight, it also points to the Asbury Ocean Club for a more upscale stay and says the Asbury Hotel is a better fit for families.

So if you’re planning a shore stroll, this one comes with built-in live music, pinball, mini golf, pizza, and people-watching — which is a pretty strong case for heading to Asbury. Read the full piece here: Travel + Leisure’s “8 of the Best Boardwalks Along the Jersey Shore.” (Travel + Leisure)

Tax season is a little less painful when someone else helps with the paperwork. AARP Tax-Aide is offering free in-person income tax preparation at several Monmouth County Library branches, with help from trained AARP Foundation Tax-Aide volunteers for most Federal and New Jersey returns.

Here’s the big thing to know: both taxpayers must be present if you’re filing jointly, and some more complex returns can’t be prepared. Space is limited at each session, so it’s smart to plan ahead.

Marlboro Branch is offering help on Wednesday, March 11, Thursday, March 12, and Wednesday, March 18 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., plus Saturday, March 14 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Appointments are preferred and can be made online. There may also be limited walk-in availability before noon, depending on space.

Eastern Branch in Shrewsbury continues its Tax-Aide program through April 11, with sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For this location, it’s by appointment only. You can also call the AARP Foundation at 888-227-7669. Walk-ins may be available, but don’t count on it.

Wall Township Branch is offering walk-in only tax help on Monday, March 16 and Tuesday, March 17 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. There are no appointments here — it’s strictly first come, first served.

Before you head out, make sure you check what documents you need to bring, because nobody wants to make a second trip with a folder full of almost-the-right papers.

Ready to shuffle, stack, and maybe show off a little? Here are a few spots to get your game face on this week.

Bridge players can head to the West Long Branch Library on Wednesday, March 11 and again on Wednesday, March 18 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. This one is geared toward intermediate players, and it’s strictly first come, first served — no seat saving, no calling dibs. The library is at 95 Poplar Ave., West Long Branch.

Over at the Holmdel Library, Thursday is officially Game Day. On Thursday, March 12, you can drop into the meeting room from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for Mahjongg or Bridge. It’s casual, player-led, and there are five tables of space and supplies, with players rotating in if demand is high. No registration needed.

And if Mahjongg is really your thing, stick around for the Holmdel Mah Jongg Club on Thursday, March 12 from 1 to 4 p.m. These friendly weekly sessions are for players who already know the game, since there’s no instructor, and play follows National Mah Jongg League rules. Seating is first come, first served, with room for 20 players.

A little strategy, a little luck, and a solid excuse to get out of the house — not a bad way to spend the week.

Looking for a fun and festive Saturday outing? Head to Monmouth County Library Headquarters in Manalapan on Saturday, March 14, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for a free Lunar New Year Celebration presented by the Manalapan Township Diversity Committee and co-sponsored by the Monmouth County Library.

The day kicks off with arts and crafts at 11 a.m., followed by the main celebration at 12:30 p.m. with performances by Fong’s Hung Ga Kung Fu Association, Monmouth Fidelity Chinese School, and Berwin Art Educational Center. There will also be treats from Peking Pavilion while supplies last, which never hurts. No registration or library card is needed — just show up and grab a seat, first come, first served.

Going green for St. Patrick’s Day doesn’t have to stop at shirts and shamrocks — it can head straight to the dessert table, too. These Luck O’ the Irish Cupcakes are a fun, festive treat made with a classic cupcake base and a splash of green for just the right holiday touch. Get the recipe here: Luck O’ the Irish Cupcakes: A Sweet St. Paddy’s Treat.

🎂 First up, a very happy birthday to Cari P. of Hazlet, who’s celebrating 73 fabulous years on Friday. Hope your day is filled with cake, laughs, and love. 💐A few other famous folks blowing out candles this week right along with Cari include:

March 11 – TV journalist Sam Donaldson turns 92.
March 12 – Barbara Feldon of Get Smart is 93, Liza Minnelli hits 80, James Taylor turns 78, and Bill Payne of Little Feat is 77.
March 13 – William H. Macy turns 76, and Dana Delany of China Beach and Body of Proof hits 70.
March 14 – Funny man Billy Crystal celebrates 78.

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😎See you next week!

The Monmouth Senior Scoop team

Disclaimer: Event details can change quicker than green cupcakes disappear at a St. Patrick’s Day party, so give the venue or organizer a quick check before you go. And while we’re always happy to share helpful information, this newsletter isn’t medical, legal, or financial advice — for that, it’s best to check with a qualified professional.💚