👋Hello, Monmouth friends!

Monmouth County is giving us a little bit of everything this week: Greek food, Bob Dylan tunes, indie films, craft shows, park programs, library games and enough rainy-day ideas to keep the grandkids from declaring the couch their summer headquarters.

👀What’s on tap this week
🎟️ Weekend Plans — Greek festival, BobFest, film fest, markets and more
🏆 Fair Fun — How to enter the Monmouth County Fair Home & Garden Competition
🌳 In the Parks — Boat tours, beach passes and turn-of-the-century piano ballads
☔ Take the Grandkids — Rainy-day summer trips that save the afternoon
📚 Beyond the Books — Bridge, mahjongg, poetry, crafts and helpful programs
📺 TV Time — New movies, shows and music to stream this week
🎂 Celebrity Birthdays — Stevie Nicks, Gladys Knight, John Fogerty and more

Up first…

Dust off the knitting needles. Frame that photo. Check the jam jars. And maybe start sweet-talking the tomatoes.

It’s time to start getting your entries ready for the Home & Garden Competition at this year’s Monmouth County Fair, where local amateur artists, bakers, gardeners, crafters, canners, needleworkers and honey-makers have a chance to show off their best work.

Most categories do not require pre-registration. Entries for art, photos, crafts, needlework and canning will be accepted at the fairgrounds on Sunday, July 19, from 9 a.m.–3 p.m. and Monday, July 20, from 8–11 a.m.

Got a prize-worthy petunia or a zucchini that deserves its own fan club? Flower and vegetable entries should be brought in on Friday, July 24, from 8–11 a.m. Bakers get their turn on Saturday, July 25, from 8–11 a.m.

There’s also a special Senior Center and Adult Day Programs Competition, with entries accepted Monday, July 20, from 9 a.m.–noon and Tuesday, July 21, from 8–10 a.m. For details, contact Anne Simon at 732-460-1167, ext. 4643.

A few specialty contests are also on the schedule, including an On-Site Native Plant Flower Arranging Competition on Friday, July 24, at 7 p.m. Pre-registration is required. Contact Jason Goldman at [email protected] or 732-872-2670, ext. 4374.

The Black Jar Honey Competition also returns, sponsored by the Central Jersey Beekeepers Association. Contestants should bring one labeled jar of honey on Saturday, July 25, from 8–11 a.m. Judging begins at 2 p.m.

The fair runs Wednesday through Sunday, July 22–26, at the East Freehold Showgrounds on Kozloski Road in Freehold. Hours are 4–11 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, 11 a.m.–11 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Sunday.

Admission is $10 for adults, and children 12 and under are free. Half-price admission is offered during the first two hours each day. Veterans and active military members with ID get in free, and on Sunday, seniors 65 and older and students with ID are admitted free.

The Molly Pitcher Inn in Red Bank has opened its Navesink Riverfront pool for the 2026 season — and you don’t have to be a hotel guest to enjoy it. Daily passes are available Sunday through Friday, with adult admission at $40 and children ages 2–12 at $20. Weekday deals include $15 Mondays, $20 Tuesdays, and a complimentary drink voucher on Wednesdays. Passes are released monthly through the hotel website and tend to sell out, so plan ahead. The pool is open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. through Sept. 7, weather permitting, at 88 Riverside Ave. Outside food and drinks are not allowed — but lounge chairs, towels and river views are part of the package.

A pair of American Oystercatchers has claimed a prime stretch of 7th Street beach in Belmar for nesting season — and yes, they apparently booked the beachfront suite before the Memorial Day crowds arrived. State environmental officials have roped off the area to protect the birds and their eggs, since the species is listed as one of Special Concern in New Jersey. The closure could last several weeks, or even longer if the chicks hatch and stay nearby. Beachgoers are asked to respect the ropes, give the feathered family plenty of space and let nature have its little Shore summer moment.

A familiar Red Bank spot is getting a major makeover: Super Foodtown on Broad Street is closing after a 50-year run, and The Atlantic Club plans to purchase the space for its new fitness center. The club, now on Maple Avenue, says the larger building will allow for more cardio and strength-training equipment, bigger group exercise studios and a more modern layout.

Xina Bradley Beach has quickly become one of the Shore’s buzziest dining spots, bringing inventive Asian fusion to a former convenience store space that’s been transformed into a sleek, stylish restaurant. The BYOB spot from chef-owner Rick Lee serves creative favorites like lobster dumplings, crispy sushi rice, spicy rock shrimp, bacon egg and cheese fried rice, Peking duck and the angry dragon roll — all in a lively, polished-but-not-pretentious setting. Translation: this is not your average takeout night.

🎶 Let Bob Dylan take the wheel. BobFest returns to the Count Basie Center in Red Bank on Thursday, May 28, from 7:30–10 p.m. Pat Guadagno brings the long-running Dylan tribute home with an “In the Round — Nashville Style” night of stories and songs, joined by Rob Paparozzi, Anne Hills, John Cruz, Renee Maskin and Steve Delopoulos.

🇬🇷 Say OPA and mean it. The Jersey Shore Greek Festival takes over St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Ocean Township from Friday, May 29, through Sunday, May 31. Expect traditional Greek food, music, dancing, games, raffles and an Agora Marketplace. Bonus: Parking is available at Ocean Township Intermediate School with free shuttle service, so your only real logistical issue is whether baklava counts as dinner.

🎬 Catch a film before everyone else does. The Monmouth Film Festival brings independent cinema to Bell Works in Holmdel all weekend, with screenings, panels, workshops and filmmaker buzz from Friday, May 29, through Sunday, May 31.

🛍️ Shopping alert! Ocean Grove’s Spring Market — formerly the Giant Spring Flea Market — runs Saturday, May 30, from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. at The Great Auditorium. More than 100 vendors will be selling vintage, antique, handmade and new items, plus food. Bring a tote bag. Actually, bring two.

🥧 Celebrate America with apple pie and a hot dog contest. Sea Girt is marking America’s 250th birthday on Saturday, May 30, from 11 a.m.–3 p.m. at Baltimore Park. Expect live music, old-time games, food trucks, cold beer at the Fire House, a hot dog eating contest and a 13-colony apple pie tasting contest. The founding fathers would approve!

🥕 Start Sunday with something fresh. The Marlboro Farmers Market returns Sunday, May 31, from 9 a.m.–1 p.m. at 444 Route 520. Set on 56 acres of preserved land at the former Stattel Farm, the market features local produce, small family farmers and plenty of parking, including handicapped parking near the front. Bring a reusable bag — and maybe some cash, because not every vendor is fully living that tap-to-pay life.

🎨 Make it a Shore-side craft stroll. The Seaport Craft Show fills Huddy Park in Highlands on Sunday, May 31, from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. More than 60 crafters and artisans will be selling handmade gifts, art, jewelry and personal items, with live music from noon–4 p.m. Admission is free!

🥬 Put a midweek market on your radar. Not quite weekend plans, but worth penciling in: Bell Works Fresh Farmers & Makers Market runs Wednesdays from 11 a.m.–4 p.m. in Holmdel, while Tall Oaks Farm + Makers Market runs Wednesdays from 3–7 p.m. in Farmingdale.

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

Social Security, IRS Have a Hidden Trigger That Hits Surviving Spouses: The survivor’s penalty raises taxes for widows/widowers by narrowing brackets and lowering deductions. Women are especially affected due to longer life expectancy and inherited IRA obligations. The Street, May 19.

What Divorced Retirees Need to Know About Claiming Social Security in 2026: You may end up with a higher-than-expected monthly benefit. The Motley Fool, May 22.

Quitting Smoking Might Lower Your Dementia Risk: People who quit smoking had a lower risk of developing dementia, especially if they didn’t gain excess weight afterward. HealthDay News, May 22.

3 Medical Routines That Older People May Not Need: The risks and benefits of common screenings, procedures, and drugs add up differently at advanced ages, and research continues to point out fresh examples of some that may become unnecessary. KFF Health News, May 22.

The Monmouth County Park System is easing us into summer with a little music, a little wildlife and the return of sunscreen season. Here’s what’s worth putting on the calendar.

🎹 Let the old-time piano tunes set the mood. Stop by Historic Longstreet Farm in Holmdel on Saturday, May 30, from 1–3 p.m. for Piano Ballads from the Turn-of-the-Century. You’ll hear popular songs from the turn of the 19th century. Admission is free.

🚤 Take a boat ride with the turtles and herons. The popular naturalist-led boat tours are back at Manasquan Reservoir in Howell for the season. These 45-minute tours offer a chance to spot turtles, egrets, herons, ospreys and other wildlife doing their thing — which is honestly more impressive than us trying to keep one basil plant alive. Tours leave from the Visitor Center on Windeler Road at the top of the hour from 2–5 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, May 23 through Sept. 7.

🌅 Pencil in a summer evening cruise. If afternoon boat rides aren’t enough, the reservoir will also offer evening tours at 6 and 7 p.m. on Fridays, June 5, July 3 and Aug. 7. Wednesday afternoon tours run at 2, 3 and 4 p.m. from July 1 through Aug. 26 — because sometimes the best wildlife viewing comes with slightly less mid-day heat.

🎟️ Know before you float. Manasquan Reservoir boat tour tickets are $6 per adult and $4 per child age 12 and under. Life jackets are required and provided, and children must be at least 2 years old and able to sit independently for the full ride. Tickets are sold the day of the tour in the lower level of the Visitor Center. Tours depend on weather and water levels, so call 732-919-0996, ext. 4526 before heading out.

🏖️ Get your beach badge brain in gear. Lifeguards at Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park in Long Branch are on duty weekends starting Saturday, May 23, and daily starting Saturday, June 13. Guarded swimming hours are 10 a.m.–5 p.m., weather and conditions permitting. The park also has a volleyball court, snack bar, playground and Skateplex — more than enough activities to keep the grandkids entertained!

☀️ Lock in your Long Branch beach season. Season park access passes for Seven Presidents are $80 for adults ages 18–64 and $30 for adults 65 and older. Children under 18 are free. Season parking passes are $75, and daily access and parking passes are $10 each. Passes are good through Sept. 7 and are available at the Seven Presidents Pavilion in Long Branch daily from 9 a.m.–4 p.m., and at Park System Headquarters at Thompson Park in Lincroft on weekdays through June 12, excluding holidays.

The Monmouth County Library system is serving up games, crafts, gentle movement, helpful services and a little Tennyson this week.

♠️ Play your best hand in West Long Branch. Intermediate bridge players can drop in at the West Long Branch Library on Wednesday, May 27, from 11 a.m.–1 p.m. for a friendly in-person game. Seating is first come, first served, and saving seats is not allowed — so arrive early if you want in on the action.

♣️ Learn the duplicate bridge ropes. Curious about duplicate bridge? Head to Library Headquarters in Manalapan on Wednesday, May 27, from noon–4:45 p.m. for an in-person session where players can learn and practice. Seats are limited and available first come, first seated.

🕊️ Find support after loss. The Lost and Found Bereavement Support Group meets at Library Headquarters in Manalapan on Wednesday, May 27, from 6:45–8 p.m. Led by support facilitator Beth Stamp, the group offers a space to share experiences, feelings and ideas for moving forward after the loss of a loved one. Registration is not required.

🃏 Brush up on bridge in Shrewsbury. Beginner and intermediate players can join Learn to Play Bridge at the Eastern Branch in Shrewsbury on Thursday, May 28, from 9:30 a.m.–noon. Doors open at 9:30 a.m., seating is limited, and participation is first come, first served. No seat saving — the library has spoken.

🀄 Make Thursday a game day in Holmdel. Mahjongg or bridge? Take your pick at Holmdel Library on Thursday, May 28, from 9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. The casual, player-led games include tables and supplies, with no registration required. Players rotate in if there are more people than seats.

🀄 Keep the tiles clicking. Experienced Mah Jongg players can join the Holmdel Mah Jongg Club on Thursday, May 28, from 1–4 p.m. Tables and sets are provided, and the club follows National Mah Jongg League rules. Capacity is 20 players, with seating in order of arrival.

✒️ Spend an afternoon with Tennyson. Local poet Flora Higgins leads The Poetry of Tennyson at the Eastern Branch in Shrewsbury on Thursday, May 28, from 2–3:30 p.m. The program includes readings of Alfred Lord Tennyson’s most celebrated poems, followed by open discussion. No registration needed — just bring your inner English major, even if it’s been napping since 1973.

♟️ Make your move in Holmdel. The Holmdel Chess Club meets Thursday, May 28, from 5–8 p.m. in the Holmdel Library Meeting Room. All ages and skill levels are welcome, and no registration is required. Bring your best strategy — and maybe your poker face.

🧶 Bring your project and your people. Knit Wits meets at Library Headquarters in Manalapan on Thursday, May 28, from 6:30–8:30 p.m. Bring your knitting, crochet, needlepoint or other handiwork and spend time with fellow crafters. Adults of all skill levels are welcome, but bring your own supplies.

🧘 Start the week with a gentle reset. Chair Yoga with Stacy Newfeld comes to Holmdel Library on Monday, June 1, from 9:30–10:30 a.m. The class includes breath work, seated stretching, mindful movement and a brief sound immersion. It’s designed for all ages and ability levels.

🥗 Give your spring eating habits a tune-up. Harry Samaniego of Hackensack Meridian Health presents Nutrition: Spring Reset at the Hazlet Township Branch on Monday, June 1, from 2–3 p.m. The talk focuses on using nutrition to refresh your health after winter.

🤝 Get help close to home. Monmouth ACTS in My Community comes to the Allentown Branch on Tuesday, June 2, from 10 a.m.–1 p.m. Representatives from the Monmouth County Department of Human Services will offer help with programs including SNAP, NJ FamilyCare, Medicaid and more. Services are first come, first served.

🧩 Find the missing piece. Literally. The Puzzle Drop-In at the Allentown Branch runs Tuesday, June 2, from 6–8:45 p.m. Stop by the common area and help solve a community puzzle. Low-pressure, social and perfect for anyone who likes a small victory with corners and edges.

🌳 Shake the family tree. The Genealogy Club meets at the Eastern Branch in Shrewsbury on Wednesday, June 3, from 2–3 p.m. Beginners and experienced family-history sleuths are welcome for research tips, discussion and support.

When the beach is soggy, the playground is puddled and everyone is getting a little too familiar with the couch, these indoor day trips can save the day — and maybe earn you “cool grandparent” status.

🦖 Dig into New Jersey’s dinosaur past. The new Edelman Fossil Park & Museum at Rowan University in Mantua Township gives families a chance to explore the prehistoric creatures that once roamed the Garden State. The outdoor fossil dig is a big draw on nice days, but rainy-day visitors can still enjoy interactive exhibits, hands-on fossil fun, virtual reality and live critter encounters.

🐠 Go where the sharks are safely behind glass. Adventure Aquarium in Camden is home to more than 15,000 aquatic and semiaquatic animals, including sharks, stingrays, sea turtles and penguins. Kids can check out touch tanks, walk through the Shark Tunnel and even brave a rope bridge over shark-filled waters.

🔭 Sneak in some science while they think they’re just having fun. Liberty Science Center in Jersey City is packed with hands-on exhibits, animal habitats, STEM activities and the Jennifer Chalsty Planetarium, the largest planetarium in the United States. Add in the Touch Tunnel, Infinity Climber and model train, and you’ve got a full-day outing with plenty of “don’t tell them they’re learning” appeal.

🎢 Wear them out indoors. American Dream in East Rutherford is basically a rainy-day escape hatch with shopping, dining and big-ticket attractions all under one roof. Think Big Snow, Nickelodeon Universe, DreamWorks Water Park, a Mirror Maze and the New Jersey Hall of Fame Entertainment and Learning Center.

🕹️ Show them how arcade games were done before apps. Silverball Retro Arcade on the Asbury Park boardwalk is part arcade, part museum and part nostalgia machine. It features about 200 pinball machines from a rotating collection of 600, plus Skee-Ball, Pac-Man and plenty of “I used to be great at this” energy. Fun for kids, but let’s be honest — grandparents may have the home-field advantage here.

🚂 Go big with tiny trains. Northlandz in Flemington is home to the world’s largest model railroad, with more than 8 miles of track and a Guinness World Record to prove it. Tiny trains wind through miniature mountains, bridges, tunnels and towns, making this a slow-wandering, detail-spotting kind of outing. Perfect for train lovers and curious kids alike!

🧗 Let them climb the walls somewhere that allows it. ClimbZone in Howell is a smart local pick when the grandkids need to burn off energy and the weather says “absolutely not.” Kids can climb giant piano keys, Mount Rushmore, a map of the United States and dozens of other colorful themed walls. The facility has 68 artistically designed climbing walls, plus an indoor playground.

Looking for something new without scrolling until your snacks are gone? This week’s streaming lineup has movie stars, crime drama, Beatles nostalgia, superhero noir and one horror pick that may require keeping a light on.

🎬 Plan an emotional movie night. Allison Janney stars in “Miss You, Love You,” streaming Friday, May 29, on HBO Max, as a recently widowed woman who has to plan her husband’s funeral with an unexpected helper: her estranged son’s assistant, played by Andrew Rannells. Written and directed by Jim Rash, it sounds heartfelt, awkward and quietly funny — also known as family life, but with better lighting.

✈️ Remember when flying felt fancy? John Travolta wrote, directed and narrates “Propeller One-Way Night Coach,” streaming Friday, May 29, on Apple TV. The 60-minute film follows a 10-year-old aviation enthusiast traveling cross-country with his mother and serves as an ode to the glamorous days of 1960s air travel. Reviews have been mixed, but if you remember when flying meant dressing nicely, this may be worth a look.

🕷️ Meet Spider-Man in noir mode. Nicolas Cage stars in “Spider-Noir,” streaming Wednesday on Prime Video, a live-action Marvel-inspired series set in gritty 1930s New York. Cage plays Ben Reilly, a private investigator and masked hero fighting corruption.

🕵️ Let the BAU ruin bedtime again. “Criminal Minds: Evolution,” Season 19 premieres Thursday on Paramount+ with two episodes and a new copycat killer storyline. Returning favorites include Joe Mantegna, A.J. Cook, Aisha Tyler, Adam Rodriguez and Paget Brewster. Best watched before 9 p.m., unless you enjoy questioning every noise your house makes.

🥪 Order up some chaos. “Deli Boys,” Season 2 returns Thursday on Hulu, following two Pakistani American brothers who inherit their father’s deli chain and discover it was also a front for drug smuggling. Poorna Jagannathan is back as the aunt now running the business.

🎶 Give the Beatles fans something to talk about. Paul McCartney’s new album, “The Boys of Dungeon Lane,” is out Friday, with nostalgic songs about youth, home and a life well lived. It also features a duet with Ringo Starr, which is probably all many Beatles fans need to hear before pressing play.

Happy 71st birthday today to Andrea M. of Shrewsbury! Here’s to another year of good health, good times, and plenty of reasons to celebrate!

A few other celebrities celebrating birthdays this week include:

🎤 Stevie Nicks, the Fleetwood Mac legend, turns 78 on May 26. Also celebrating: sportscaster Brent Musburger is 87, Pam Grier is 77, Miami Vice star Philip Michael Thomas is 77, country singer Hank Williams Jr. is 77, General Hospital favorite Genie Francis is 64, Lenny Kravitz is 62, and Helena Bonham Carter is 60.

📺 Cue the classic TV memories. On May 27, Lee Meriwether turns 91, while Richard Schiff of The West Wing and The Good Doctor turns 71. Also blowing out candles: Frasier favorite Peri Gilpin is 65, and Todd Bridges of Diff’rent Strokes is 61.

🎶 Save room for music royalty. On May 28, Gladys Knight turns 82, Billy Vera is 82, and John Fogerty is 81.

That’s the Scoop for this week, Monmouth friends. Whether you’re heading to a festival, checking out a library program, planning a rainy-day grandkid rescue mission or simply enjoying the start of summer at your own speed, we hope the week brings something fun, easy and worth sharing.

😎The Monmouth Senior Scoop team

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Disclaimer: As always, event details can change, so please check with organizers before heading out. Monmouth Senior Scoop is here to inform and entertain — but it’s not medical, legal or financial advice.