Monmouth Senior Scoop: Your Monmouth Weekend Starts Here

👋 Hello, Monmouth friends!

This weekend is bringing Mozart, beach concerts, classic cars, farmers markets, fossils, fairies and Father’s Day at the track.

👀 WHAT’S INSIDE

🎟️ Weekend Plans — Music, theater, markets and cars by the Shore
📚 At the Library — Jug bands, Colonial soldiers and knitting
🚗 Day Trippin’ — High-flying thrills at air show
🚢 Cruise Corner — A Cunard crossing giveaway
✈️ Travel Briefs — Cocoa Beach stories and Florida inspiration
🍧 Tasty Treats — Mermaid Ice and grandparent points
📰 Prime Time News — Health, Medicare, retirement and decluttering
⚽ One Last Thing — Your World Cup traffic survival guide

Up first…

Good news for anyone who likes waterfront dining followed by ice cream — which, frankly, sounds like most of us.

A longtime Jersey Shore waterfront restaurant has reopened after being closed for roughly three years. Inlet Cafe, located at 3 Cornwall Street in Highlands, resumed operations this spring with its original ownership group back at the helm. The restaurant is known for its sweeping views of Sandy Hook Bay, spacious outdoor seating and indoor bar. Its return gives Highlands diners another familiar place to enjoy a meal by the water — and another reason to linger until sunset.

Meanwhile, one of Monmouth County’s best-known ice cream names is expanding again. Jersey Freeze plans to open a franchise location in Shrewsbury, according to the owners. It will be among the company’s first franchise locations. The iconic brand was founded by the Blackmore family in Freehold in 1952 and became a local institution — as well as a childhood favorite of Bruce Springsteen. Katie and Matt Dinonno purchased the business in 2014 and have since expanded beyond the original Freehold shop. A second location opened at Bell Works in Holmdel in 2020, followed by another in Colts Neck. The owners are also working on Jersey Freeze’s first Florida location in Naples.

Here’s what’s happening around Monmouth County this weekend.

🎭 Mozart meets Beethoven — and things get complicated. The Vienna Lessons imagines what might have happened when a young, supremely confident Ludwig van Beethoven asked Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart to become his teacher. Expect comedy, drama, musical masterpieces and a few cleverly imagined collaborations between two guys who definitely did not lack confidence. It runs from 7–9 p.m. at the New Jersey Repertory Company, rear entrance, 179 Broadway, Long Branch.

🍹 Bossa nova, cocktails and shopping under the stars? Thursday is looking up. The Elena Maque Band brings the music to Bar Bella, while Tangled & Tide sets up a pop-up shop nearby. There will also be summertime cocktails, dancing and the general feeling that you are having a much more sophisticated evening than everyone sitting at home watching reruns. It runs from 6:30–9:30 p.m. at Bar Bella, 101 Crawfords Corner Road, Holmdel.

🌊 Live music sounds better with an ocean breeze. Long Branch’s free Thursdays by the Sea concert series returns to the Great Lawn Stage. Bring a blanket, snacks and someone willing to carry the chairs. The music runs from 7–8:30 p.m. at Great Lawn Beach in Long Branch. The series continues Thursdays through September 3, when fireworks will close out the season.

🎶 A powerful true story takes the stage in Holmdel. We’ll Meet Again follows Heinz “Henry” Stern, whose family escaped Nazi Germany in 1937 and built a new life in Alabama. The new musical features beloved Jewish songs and 1930s and ’40s standards including “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” and “I’ll Be Seeing You.” Showtime is 7–9 p.m. at the Bell Theater, 101 Crawfords Corner Road, Holmdel.

🎭 Couldn’t make Thursday’s musical showdown? You have options. The Vienna Lessons returns for performances at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the New Jersey Repertory Company, 179 Broadway, Long Branch.

🎶 And Henry Stern’s remarkable story continues. We’ll Meet Again takes the stage at 7 p.m. at the Bell Theater, 101 Crawfords Corner Road, Holmdel.

🎣 Set the alarm, grab the bait and prepare to discuss the one that got away. The Frank Thomas Memorial Fluke Tournament welcomes anglers competing by boat, kayak or from land. Junior anglers age 12 and younger participate free, and registration includes the post-weigh-in barbecue and one complimentary drink. Fishing runs from 6 a.m.–4 p.m. at Bakers Marina, 1 Marina Bay Court, Highlands, with the official weigh-in from 1–3 p.m.

🧚 Allentown is getting a little more magical this weekend. Bring the grandkids to the Allentown Faerie Fest, which offers two days of whimsical activities, creativity, learning and Earth-friendly fun for the whole family. The festival runs from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday in Allentown.

🎭 Still in the mood for musical geniuses? The Vienna Lessons has performances at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the New Jersey Repertory Company in Long Branch.

🎶 Prefer an uplifting true story with classic songs? We’ll Meet Again also offers performances at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the Bell Theater in Holmdel.

🥕 Marlboro has the produce, the preserved farmland and the Sunday morning stroll. Shop locally grown fruits, vegetables and other goods at the Marlboro Farmers Market from 9 a.m.–1 p.m. at 444 Route 520, Marlboro. Bring a reusable bag and some cash because not every vendor takes cards. Well-behaved, leashed dogs are welcome.

🛍️ Asbury Fresh is back for its 13th season. Browse local produce, specialty foods and handmade goods while enjoying a Sunday morning in Asbury Park. The market runs from 9 a.m.–1 p.m. on Emory Street.

🚘 Classic cars are taking over the Long Branch waterfront. The free Cruise the Jersey Shore Car Show features hundreds of classic cars, muscle cars and custom builds, plus live music, food vendors and family fun. It runs from 9 a.m.–3 p.m. at the Long Branch Promenade, Ocean Boulevard and Madison Avenue.

🥖 Howell’s Sunday market has fresh food and a park setting. Shop produce, baked goods, specialty foods, artisan products and gifts from local farmers and makers from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. at Echo Lake Pavilion, 1205 Maxim Southard Road, Howell.

🦴 The grandkids can dig up something older than you — much older. A guided fossil hunt at Poricy Brook gives amateur paleontologists the chance to uncover marine fossils dating back 65 to 72 million years. Trowels and sifters are provided, but wear rubber boots or old sneakers because your feet will get wet. Sandals and flip-flops are not allowed. The hunt runs from 11 a.m.–noon at the Poricy Brook Fossil Beds, 1083 Middletown-Lincroft Road, Middletown.

🏇 Take Dad to the track — he gets in free. Monmouth Park is celebrating Father’s Day with live racing, brunch in the Dining Club, picnic options and free family activities. All gentlemen receive free admission, which may be the least expensive Father’s Day gift you find this year. The fun runs from noon–5 p.m. at Monmouth Park, 175 Oceanport Avenue, Oceanport.

🎭 Mozart and Beethoven have one more weekend meeting. The Vienna Lessons begins at 2 p.m. at the New Jersey Repertory Company in Long Branch.

🎶 We’ll Meet Again closes out the weekend with a Sunday matinee. The performance begins at 3 p.m. at the Bell Theater in Holmdel.

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

The Connection Between Hearing Loss and Dementia: Discover how untreated hearing loss could increase your risk of dementia and why early intervention is key to protecting brain health. U.S. News & World Report, June 9

Private Medicare Plans Often Deny Access to Rehab Care, Analysis Shows: Two reports by U.S. investigators reveal how Medicare Advantage is quick to reject requests for short-term nursing home or inpatient services. USA Today, June 11.

Master the Art of Spending in Retirement: Many people find it tough to shift from saving to tapping wealth once they stop work. Here's how to enjoy your money more — without fear of running out. Kiplinger, June 13

You've Spent a Lifetime Amassing Your Stuff. Here's How to Get Rid of It: Key tips to tackle decluttering (before someone has to do it for you). Kiplinger, June 13.

The Monmouth County Library calendar is doing a little bit of everything this week: yarn, yoga, Revolutionary War soldiers, jug band music, board games, bridge and free health screenings.

🧶 Bring your yarn — and maybe that scarf you started three winters ago. Kelly’s Knit and Crochet Circle welcomes everyone from complete beginners to seasoned crafters who can somehow watch television and crochet at the same time. Instructor Kelly Cavanaugh will be there to help. Bring your own yarn, needles and supplies. The group meets from 11 a.m.–1 p.m. at the Howell Branch. The program is sponsored by the Friends of Howell Library.

🇺🇸 Spend Father’s Day like a Founding Father — powdered wig not required. Ogden’s First New Jersey Regiment is setting up camp at Library Headquarters for an afternoon of Revolutionary War reenactments and hands-on history. Meet Continental Army soldiers, hear about military life, watch a period surgeon demonstrate 18th-century medicine and see how camp followers kept daily life moving. There will also be Colonial games and activities for all ages. The encampment runs from 1–4 p.m. in the Lower Gallery at Library Headquarters, Manalapan.

🪕 Give Dad a jug band instead of another necktie. The Swampgrass Jug Band brings jug band, string band and bluegrass music to the Eastern Branch for an interactive Father’s Day concert. A few audience members may even get to play the washboard, kazoo or jug with the band — which should make for a much better family video than Dad opening socks. The concert runs from 2–3 p.m. at the Eastern Branch in Shrewsbury. Registration is required to guarantee seating.

❤️ Get a health check without making a doctor’s appointment. Nurses from Hackensack Meridian Health will offer free blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol screenings, stroke assessments and information about community resources aboard the mobile wellness van. Fasting is not required, and neither is registration. Stop by from 1:30–3:30 p.m. in the Hazlet Township Branch parking lot.

🧘 Yoga without getting down on the floor? We’re listening. Instructor Lisa Broad leads a chair yoga class designed to improve flexibility, balance, strength and range of motion while helping reduce stress. You can remain seated for the entire class or stand while using the chair for support. No yoga experience or registration is required. The class runs from 10–10:45 a.m. at Library Headquarters in Manalapan.

♠️ Know when to hold ’em — or at least when to bid. Intermediate bridge players are invited to the weekly game from 11 a.m.–1 p.m. at the West Long Branch Branch, 95 Poplar Avenue. Participation is first come, first served, and saving seats is not allowed. Bridge players apparently take this very seriously.

🎲 Put down the phone and argue over Catan like civilized people. Learn and play modern board games including Sushi Go!, Ticket to Ride and Catan. The session runs from 6–8 p.m. in the Lower Gallery at Library Headquarters, Manalapan. Registration is required, and the program may be canceled if there are not enough players.

💙 You don’t have to navigate grief alone. The Lost and Found Bereavement Support Group offers a supportive place to share experiences, feelings and ideas for moving forward after the loss of a loved one. Facilitator Beth Stamp leads the meeting from 6:45–8 p.m. at Library Headquarters in Manalapan. Registration is not required.

⚔️ The Battle of Monmouth was technically a draw — but the story is anything but boring. Historian Dr. David Martin explains why the 1778 battle became an important turning point in the American Revolution and helped secure George Washington’s position as commander in chief. The program runs from 7–8 p.m. at the Howell Branch.

Cunard is celebrating a major maritime milestone by giving two travelers the chance to cross the Atlantic aboard the world’s only active ocean liner.

The winner and a guest will sail aboard Queen Mary 2 on its historic 450th Transatlantic Crossing, traveling from Southampton, England, to New York from November 10–17, 2026. The prize also includes flights, a hotel stay in Southampton and transportation to and from the port.

Queen Mary 2 is the only active ocean liner offering regularly scheduled crossings between New York and Southampton — a tradition Cunard began in 1840 when RMS Britannia sailed from Liverpool to Boston.

The giveaway comes as Cunard prepares to participate in Sail4th 250, America’s 250th anniversary celebration in New York Harbor on July 4. Queen Mary 2 and its passengers will have a front-row view of the gathering of tall ships and naval vessels. The sweepstakes is open through July 31, 2026. Participants receive one entry by completing the registration form and may earn a bonus entry by uploading a photo from a previous Cunard voyage or answering a poll about what they would most like to experience on their first Cunard sailing.

Enter and review the official rules at CunardCrossingGiveaway.com.

Planning a trip to Florida’s Space Coast? A new podcast may help you plan a better trip!

The Florida’s Space Coast Office of Tourism has launched Cocoa Beach on Florida’s Space Coast, a new series hosted by former CNN journalist and producer Kelly Bowman. Available on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts and other major podcast platforms, the show explores the people, places and stories that give Cocoa Beach its character.

Episodes feature conversations with local surfers, scientists, chefs, artists and other community personalities. Topics range from rocket launches at Kennedy Space Center and sunrise surfing to bioluminescent lagoon paddles and the area’s wildlife.

The podcast is designed for travelers planning their first visit, returning guests looking for something new and anyone who wants to experience Cocoa Beach beyond the usual tourist stops.

Florida’s Space Coast is about 45 minutes east of Orlando and includes Cocoa Beach, Melbourne and the Beaches, Port Canaveral, Titusville, Palm Bay and Viera. The region offers 72 miles of beaches, extensive wetlands and waterways, Kennedy Space Center and the world’s busiest cruise port.

Learn more at VisitSpaceCoast.com.

Here’s one way to earn a few extra grandparent points this summer: Take the grandkids to Rita’s for its new Mermaid Italian Ice.

The bright pink treat combines sweet berry and marshmallow flavors and comes topped with shimmering Unicorn Glitter — because apparently regular sprinkles were not magical enough! Kids can try it as a Mermaid Gelati, layered with Rita’s Vanilla Frozen Custard, or sip it as a Mermaid Ice Blender, a smooth frozen drink finished with even more sparkle.

Mermaid Italian Ice is available at participating Rita’s locations nationwide from June 15 through July 19. New Rita’s app members can also receive a free small Ice, Custard or Gelati after signing up. Learn more at RitasIce.com.

Ready to trade the usual weekend routine for high-flying thrills? This New Jersey event is worth the drive.

June 19–21
West Milford

Father’s Day weekend is taking off in West Milford with daring aerial maneuvers, cutting-edge aircraft displays and performances from some of the world’s top airshow pilots at the NJ Air Show. The weekend also includes laser shows and pyrotechnics, adding even more spectacle once the sun goes down.

💐 Sending birthday wishes on June 18 to Linda G. of Manalapan on her 68th — may your day be as special as you are! 🥳

A few other celebrities celebrating birthdays this week with Linda include:

June 17: Actor Peter Lupus of Mission: Impossible turns 94. Singer Barry Manilow is 83, and comedian Joe Piscopo is 75.

June 18: Musician Paul McCartney turns 84. Actor Isabella Rossellini is 74.

June 19: Actor Phylicia Rashad turns 78. Singer Ann Wilson of Heart is 76, actor Kathleen Turner is 72, singer and dancer Paula Abdul is 64, and Good Morning America host Lara Spencer is 57.

The World Cup is underway in New Jersey, which is great for soccer fans and terrible for anyone who needs to drive on the NJ Turnpike!

MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford still has matches on June 22, June 25, June 27, June 30, July 5 and July 19.

So here’s the Jersey survival plan: avoid the Turnpike, Route 3, the Meadowlands and, honestly, most of North Jersey on game days unless you enjoy brake lights and have the patience of a saint. And on July 19, when the World Cup Final comes to town? Stay home. Order a pizza. Watch the game from the couch.

In New Jersey, that counts as winning.😉

Go make some plans, enjoy the weekend and have a very happy Father’s Day!

Have news, an event or a good local tip? Send it to [email protected].

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See you Monday!

The Monmouth Senior Scoop team

Disclaimer: Monmouth Senior Scoop shares general information and is not a substitute for medical, legal or financial advice. And as always, schedules can change, tickets can sell out and weather never cares about your carefully made plans. Check with organizers before heading out.