Monmouth Senior Scoop: Your Weekly Guide for Monmouth County Seniors

👋Hey, Monmouth friends!

This week’s Scoop is full of good stuff, with plenty of reasons to get out, try something new, or just enjoy what’s happening around Monmouth County.

🌊 Beach Bargain: $30 senior passes at Seven Presidents
🏡 A $10M historic estate hits the market in Middletown
🛍️ News & Notes: New food hall vibes + upscale dining opens up
🎟️ Out & About: Tulips, kite festival, shows & spring events
🎧 Trending Audiobooks: What everyone’s listening to
📺 TV Time: New shows and movies to stream
🌳 In the Parks: Free spring programs & nature walks
♻️ Beach Sweeps: Help clean up the Jersey Shore
🍦 Tasty Treats: A new chocolate-pistachio dessert
📚 Beyond the Books: Library programs, classes & events

If Seven Presidents is part of your summer routine — or you’d like it to be — here’s a nice little perk: season beach access for seniors 65+ is just $30. That’s a pretty sweet deal compared with the $80 seasonal pass for adults ages 18 to 64.

The 2026 beach season starts with guarded swimming on weekends only, including Memorial Day, from May 23 through June 7, then switches to daily swimming from June 13 through Labor Day. Lifeguard hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., weather and conditions permitting.

Passes are available at Thompson Park Headquarters in Lincroft from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, through June 12, excluding holidays. They’ll also be sold at Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park on weekends starting May 9, and daily starting June 13.

Here’s the season pass breakdown:
17 and under: free
18 to 64: $80
65 and older: $30
NJ State Disability Pass holders: $20
Season parking pass: $75

Not ready to commit to the full season? Daily admission is $10 for adults, free for kids 17 and under, and daily parking is $10.

Bottom line: if you’re planning even a few beach days close to home this summer, that $30 senior pass is one of the better shore deals going. Get more info here.

For those who like to browse dream properties online for fun—got a spare $10 million lying around? Tower Hill Farm in Middletown just hit the market for the first time since 1949, and it’s anything but your standard three-bed, two-bath. The 20.5-acre estate, once owned by Herbert and Percy Straus—heirs to the Macy's fortune—packs five residences, a converted stable home, a horse barn, garages for 13 cars, a pool, and enough old-world flair to make you feel like you should arrive by carriage. Think clock tower, Gothic arches, stone walls, fountains, ivy-draped courtyards, and hand-carved oak doors. Bonus: it’s minutes from shopping and dining, about five miles from the NYC ferry, and ten minutes from the beach—because even grand estates crave prime location!

A new Main Street food hub is taking shape in Manasquan. Lenny’s Colonial Ranch Meat Market has opened a new location at 149 Main St. in Manasquan, adding a butcher shop to a growing lineup of food businesses under one roof. The market joins Mueller’s Bakery, Batch on Main, and Shore Fresh Seafood, creating a pretty appealing one-stop combo of butcher, baker, seafood spot, and coffee shop right in downtown. Lenny’s also has a location at 3108 Bridge Ave. in Point Pleasant.

In Asbury Park, The Drawing Room is finally opening up to the public. The elegant restaurant at the Asbury Ocean Club Hotel is now accepting reservations from non-hotel guests and the general public for the first time. Led by Executive Chef Kate Gagliardi, the menu leans seasonal and local, with ingredients sourced through Harvest Drop. Current dishes include mushroom flatbread, herb-crusted lamb chops, and spring gnocchi, and reservations are now open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner year-round. The restaurant is also planning special holiday menus, Easter brunch, and interactive dining experiences.

Here’s what’s going on around Monmouth County this week.

Plant Bingo
Thursday, April 9 | 7–9 p.m.
The Plant Place, 263 Route 36, Middletown
A classic bingo night, but greener. Play three games for a chance to win plant prizes. $10 gets you two bingo cards, and extra cards will be available to buy. Info

“Sins of a Mother”
April 9–May 3
New Jersey Repertory Company, 179 Broadway, Long Branch
This new play follows Douggie, a young man returning to his small fishing town, where old secrets, unfinished wars, and long-buried history start bubbling back up. Info

U-Pick Tulips: Spring Spectacular
April 10–May 10 | 9 a.m.–6 p.m. daily
Holland Ridge Farms, Cream Ridge
One of spring’s biggest crowd-pleasers is back. Expect thousands of tulips, wide-open farm views, and more photo ops than your phone storage may be prepared for. Info

Jersey Shore Restaurant Week
April 10–19
Various locations around Monmouth County and the Shore
If you’ve been meaning to try somewhere new, here’s your nudge. Participating restaurants will offer prix-fixe menus, which means you can branch out without fully committing to a financial spiral. Info

“Company”
April 10–26
Brookdale Performing Arts Center, Lincroft
Stephen Sondheim’s classic gets an immersive, in-the-round staging, putting the audience right in the middle of Bobby’s birthday party and all the romance, friendship, and existential pondering that comes with it. Yes, you’ll hear “Being Alive” and “The Ladies Who Lunch.” Info

Fairies & Forest Friends
April 10, 11, 17, and 18 | 7–9 p.m.
The Historic Village at Allaire, Wall
This lighted evening stroll has fairy homes, folklore displays, village shops, and just enough whimsy to make it work for grandkids and grown-ups alike. Sweet, a little magical, and very spring. Info

An Evening with Bernstein
Friday, April 10 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, April 11 at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m.
Jersey Shore Arts Center, Ocean Grove
Chronicle Dance Theatre celebrates Leonard Bernstein with selections from West Side Story, On the Town, Peter Pan, and more. A strong pick for anyone who likes a little Broadway, a little ballet, and a lot of talent. Info

Antique, Vintage & Collectibles Marketplace
Saturday, April 11 | 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
Middletown Arts Center, Middletown
Expect vinyl, vintage clothing, costume jewelry, toys, postcards, dolls, and all the “oh wow, I remember these” moments you could want. Admission is $5. Info

Kite Festival at Pier Village
Saturday, April 11 | 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Pier Village, Long Branch
Expect kite flying, face painting, live music, stilt walkers, artisan vendors, and family activities, all with the ocean as the backdrop. Admission is free, which makes it even better. Info

Roaring Twenties Speakeasy Casino Night
Saturday, April 11 | 6–10 p.m.
InfoAge Science and History Museums, Wall
Blackjack, craps, roulette, Texas Hold’em, food, drinks, and a little vintage glamour inside the 100-year-old Marconi Hotel setting. Wear the fringed dress if you’ve got one. Info

Xian Conducts Prokofiev & Strauss
Saturday, April 11 | 7:30–10 p.m.
Count Basie Center for the Arts, Red Bank
The New Jersey Symphony, led by Xian Zhang, performs works by Webern, Prokofiev, and Strauss, with violinist Francesca Dego. A polished, powerful night out if you’re in the mood for something grand. Info

Howell Township Spring Fling & America’s 250th Anniversary
Sunday, April 12 | noon–4 p.m.
Soldier Memorial Park, Howell
This patriotic community event will have food trucks, live music, kids’ activities, a petting zoo, face painting, classic cars, beer and wine, and more. Free admission, plenty going on, and red-white-and-blue energy throughout. Info

Patriots Parlor Tea Party
Sunday, April 12 | 12:30–2:30 p.m.
Bicentennial Hall, Fair Haven
A charmingly old-school afternoon with tea sandwiches, desserts, a hat contest, Revolutionary Bingo, soap making, and ancestry help. Very niche. Also very fun. Info

An Opera Celebration
Sunday, April 12 | 3–5 p.m.
Algonquin Arts Theatre, Manasquan
A live afternoon of favorite arias and duets from some of opera’s best-loved works. Info

Tulip Experience
April 14, 15, 21, 22, 28, and 29 | 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Arrowhead Farmstead, Manalapan
Over one million tulips across 150 acres. Fresh air, color, photo-worthy scenery, and a pretty reliable way to make spring feel official. Info

The latest news on aging from trusted media sources.

Why ‘Unretired’ Seniors Are Picking Up Gig Work to Pay the Bills: A growing number of Americans who have “unretired” in recent years due to insufficient retirement savings, rising living costs and a desire to stay active. Associated Press, 4/2.

For Many Patients Leaving the I.C.U., the Struggle Has Only Just Begun: A long stay in intensive care can bring physical, cognitive and mental health challenges that can take months or longer to resolve. The NY Times, April 4.

What's The Real Retirement Age in America? Here Are 4 Guesses: Today, most Americans would be hard-pressed to identify the age when society expects them to retire. USA Today, April 4.

I’ve Owned Five Dogs — Here’s What to Know About Having Pets in Retirement: Having a pet can add to the joys of retirement, but it is best to plan carefully. U.S. News & World Report, March 30.

Looking for a good listen? Here are the top trending audiobooks this week, from page-turning fiction to buzzy nonfiction picks.

Grab the remote, queue the snacks, and happy streaming!

Fresh series premieres:

Monmouth County Parks have some great free offerings this week — music, history, scenic walks, and yes, one very important fish lecture!

Piano Ballads from the Turn-of-the-Century
Saturday, April 11 | 1–3 p.m.
Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel
Step back in time and hear popular turn-of-the-19th-century ballads performed at the farm. Free

Blacksmith Demonstration
Sunday, April 12 | 1–3 p.m.
Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel
Watch the blacksmith at work and learn a little of the forge’s history while you’re there. Free

Splendid Spring Strolls
Wednesday, April 15 | 10–11:30 a.m.
Freneau Woods Park, Aberdeen — meet in the Visitor Center parking area. Join a Park System Naturalist for a peaceful spring trail walk. Sturdy footwear is recommended, since trails may include inclines and tree roots. Free

Splendid Spring Strolls
Wednesday, April 29 | 10–11:30 a.m.
Clayton Park, Upper Freehold — meet in the Emley’s Hill Road parking lot. Another chance for a guided spring walk with a Park System Naturalist. Again: sturdy shoes are your friend. Free

Nature Lecture: Menhaden — The Most Important Fish Along the Jersey Shore!
Wednesday, April 15 | 7–8 p.m.
Bayshore Waterfront Park Activity Center, Port Monmouth
If you’ve ever wanted to know why menhaden matter so much to the Shore ecosystem, this is your moment. One of the Park System’s fish experts will explain. Free

Looking for a feel-good way to spend a spring morning? New Jersey’s Spring Beach Sweeps returns Saturday, April 11, 2026, with cleanups planned at more than 80 locations statewide.

Organized by Clean Ocean Action, the program began back in 1985 and has grown into one of the world’s longest-running beach cleanup efforts. Volunteers head out to beaches, bays, waterways, and even some underwater sites to collect trash and record debris data that helps support anti-litter efforts at the local, state, and federal levels.

And yes, it matters. Litter like plastic bags, cigarette filters, and fishing line can be mistaken for food by birds, fish, whales, and other wildlife, often with deadly consequences. Trash can also damage boat motors, force beach closures, and hurt tourism along the Jersey Shore.

Beach Sweeps usually runs from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at most sites, and volunteers can join as individuals, families, school groups, community organizations, or businesses. Registration is required in advance.

A good way to do something useful, get outside, and leave the Shore a little cleaner than you found it. Get more info here.

A little dessert drama for April: Cold Stone Creamery is now serving a limited-time treat called Our Dubai Chocolate Creation™, available through April 30, 2026. The flavor combo? Chocolate ice cream, pistachio cream with kataifi, and chocolate shavings — basically a rich, crunchy, very extra spin on the trendy Dubai chocolate craze. It’s available now at participating Cold Stone Creamery locations nationwide.

See what’s happening at Monmouth County Libraries for seniors this week.

AARP Tax-Aide Program
Wednesday, April 8 | 10 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
Marlboro Library
Free income tax prep is available for most federal and New Jersey returns through trained AARP Foundation Tax-Aide volunteers. Appointments are preferred, though there is limited walk-in availability before noon if space allows. All taxpayers must be present, and for joint returns, both people must attend.

Bridge at West Long Branch Library
Wednesday, April 8 and April 15 | 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
West Long Branch Library, 95 Poplar Ave.
Intermediate bridge players can drop in for weekly games. First come, first served. No seat saving.

All History Is Local: George Washington’s Sense of Humor
Wednesday, April 8 | 7–8 p.m.
Hazlet Township Branch
Dr. David Martin takes a look at George Washington’s real character — and how he became remembered as more of a marble monument than a person with an actual sense of humor.

Yarn Works: A Crochet and Knit Drop-In
Wednesday, April 8 | 1–3 p.m.
Allentown Branch
Bring your own project and settle in for a casual afternoon of crafting and conversation. All skill levels are welcome, but there’s no formal instruction, so come ready to do your thing.

Thursday Is Game Day
Thursday, April 9 | 9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Holmdel Library
More Mahjongg, more bridge, more reasons to stop by. These are player-led casual games, with tables and supplies provided. First come, first seated.

Holmdel Mah Jongg Club
Thursday, April 9 | 1–4 p.m.
Holmdel Library
A friendly weekly Mah Jongg session for experienced players. Spectators are welcome, but seating is by arrival order and there’s no seat saving.

Green Fire (2011)
Thursday, April 9 | 7–8:30 p.m.
Atlantic Highlands Branch
The Atlantic Highlands Shade Tree Commission presents this documentary on conservationist Aldo Leopold and the idea of a land ethic.

The Burners
Friday, April 10 | 2–3:15 p.m.
Library Headquarters, Manalapan
This professional trio explores the world of soul jazz, spotlighting the sounds of great organists like Jimmy Smith and Jimmy McGriff. Free and first come, first seated.

Knitting for a Cause with Each Stitch Counts
Saturday, April 11 | 1–2:30 p.m.
Marlboro Library
Spend the afternoon knitting dishtowels for donation to Freehold Area Open Door. Yarn will be provided, beginners are welcome, and donations of dish soap are also being collected. Registration required.

One-on-One SHIP Q&A
Monday, April 13 | 2:30–4 p.m.
Library Headquarters, Manalapan
Need help understanding Medicare? Certified SHIP counselor Kalpana Sheth will offer free, confidential, unbiased guidance for beneficiaries, families, and caregivers. Walk-ins welcome.

George Washington Is Here!
Monday, April 13 | 7–8 p.m.
Eastern Branch, Shrewsbury
Living historian Michael Grillo appears in character as George Washington for a presentation — and audience Q&A — that brings history a little closer, and a little livelier.

Movie Matinee: Hamnet (2025) (PG-13)
Tuesday, April 14 | 2–4:15 p.m.
Library Headquarters, Manalapan
This historical drama follows Agnes Shakespeare as she struggles with the loss of her son, Hamnet.

Recycled Papermaking with Botanicals
Tuesday, April 14 | 6:30–7:30 p.m.
Colts Neck Library
Celebrate Earth Day by making handmade recycled paper with flower petals, seeds, and herb cuttings for extra color, scent, and texture.

Friends of the Ocean Township Library Book Sale
Wednesday, April 15 | 10 a.m.–8 p.m.
Ocean Township Branch
A giant sale featuring thousands of books, plus audiobooks, large print titles, DVDs, CDs, and vintage vinyl.

This week’s travel news? A little bit of everything — from over-the-top cruises to smarter airport hacks and a brand-new waterfront park worth putting on your radar.

🚢 The Next Big Thing in Cruises Is… Really Big
Royal Caribbean just unveiled Hero of the Seas, and it’s basically a floating resort on steroids. Debuting in August 2027, the ship will feature nine pools (the most at sea), 28 dining spots, a massive waterpark, and even a three-story “family treehouse” suite. It’ll sail out of Miami with Caribbean itineraries — including stops at their private island. Translation: if you like cruises, this is the kind of ship where you might actually need a map.

🌳 A New Riverfront Park Opens in New Orleans
If New Orleans is on your travel list, there’s a new reason to go. A six-acre expansion of the Goldring Woldenberg Riverfront Park opens April 16, transforming a former warehouse area into a green space with shade trees, a marsh-themed playground, and riverfront gathering areas. Even better: it connects miles of waterfront, making it one of the longest continuous riverfront parks in the country. A nice mix of history, scenery, and a place to just sit and watch the river roll by.

📱 Airport Lines Just Got a Little Less Stressful
Finally — some good news for anyone who dreads waiting at airport security. The United Airlines app now includes a TSA wait time tracker, showing estimated security line times at major U.S. hubs (including Newark). You can even see differences between standard lines and TSA PreCheck, which means less guessing and fewer “how early should we leave?” debates.

🛳️ Cruise Sale Alert: Holland America Turns 153
Holland America Line is celebrating its anniversary with a month-long sale through April 30 — and it’s a good one. Expect up to 30% off fares, onboard credits, reduced deposits, and even free fares for kids on select sailings. The deal covers cruises from now through spring 2027, with options from Alaska to the Caribbean to Europe — so if a cruise has been on your “someday” list, this might be your nudge.

Big birthday shout-out to Tim Schmidt of Red Bank—happy 74th, Tim, may your day be packed with cake, laughs, and a front-row view of the Navesink! A few other famous folks blowing out candles this week include original Mouseketeer Darlene Gillespie (85) and harmony queen Peggy Lennon (85) on April 8; April 9 brings actor Dennis Quaid (72), “Morning Joe” newscaster Joe Scarborough (63), “Dexter” bad-boy Mark Pellegrino (61), supermodel-turned-scribe Paulina Porizkova (61), and ‘Sex and the City’ standout Cynthia Nixon (60); wrapping things on April 10 are action legend Steven Seagal (74) and folk fave Terre Roche (73). 🎉

⁉️Questions, comments or news to share? We’d love to hear from you! Just hit reply to this email.

👀First time reading? Sign up for our free weekly email newsletter here.

😎See you next issue — and thanks, as always, for reading the Scoop!

The Monmouth Senior Scoop team

⚠️ Quick PSA: event times can shift faster than a seagull stealing fries on the boardwalk—give the venue a buzz before you dash out. And nope, we’re not doctors, lawyers, or money wizards; just your witty inbox pals. So when making any grown-up decisions, consult a professional!