🎃A week of fall fun awaits for Monmouth County seniors!

👋Welcome back to this week’s Monmouth Senior Scoop! From mums and farm markets to spooky treats and travel dreams, your week in Monmouth County starts right here.

🌼 Fall Porch Magic: Mum Tips
🥕 Farmers Market Finds
🎃 This Week’s Happenings
🏥 Health News: A New Hospital for the Shore
📚 Beyond the Books
👩‍👧‍👦 Take the Grandkids
🍭 Ghoul-Approved Goodies
🍎 Still time to pick apples
⚓ Travel: Queen Elizabeth Sets Sail
📺 TV Time + Retro Picks
🎄 One Last Thing: Morven’s Holiday Magic

Up first…

🍂Fall’s too pretty to stay indoors! Nothing says autumn in New Jersey like stepping outside to a porch bursting with mums! Here’s how to turn your front stoop into a fall showstopper.

🌸 Mix Your Colors: Go beyond the basics! Pair classic gold and burgundy with pops of purple, orange, or creamy white for that rich, layered fall look.

🪴 Think in Layers: Use crates, baskets, and steps to create height and depth. Tuck smaller pots between pumpkins or along railings for a lush, full display.

☀️ Give Them Sun: Mums love sunlight — at least 4–6 hours a day keeps those blooms bright and happy.

💧 Water Smart: Keep soil moist but not soggy. Check daily — mums in pots dry out fast in cool, breezy weather.

🍂 Add Texture: Surround mums with cornstalks, hay bales, and pumpkins for that perfect harvest scene.

🌿 Keep It Fresh: Deadhead spent blooms to encourage new ones and extend their show well into November.

🎃 Tip: Combine bronze mums with white pumpkins for a timeless, elegant porch — perfect for those golden Jersey sunsets.

Fresh air, local flavor, and a taste of autumn bounty — here’s where to shop small and savor the season this week! 🍎🌽

🛍️ Bell Works Fresh Farmers & Makers Market
Wednesdays, Oct. 22–Dec. 17 | 11 AM–4 PM | Bell Works, Holmdel
Shop inside the iconic Bell Works building for Jersey-fresh produce, baked goods, flowers, and artisan creations — all in a sleek, modern setting. Perfect for a midweek pick-me-up! 🌿

🍅 Highlands Farmers Market
Saturdays, Oct. 25–Nov. 22 | 8:30 AM–2 PM | Huddy Park, Highlands
A bayside favorite! Stock up on local fruits, veggies, honey, and homemade treats while soaking up the waterfront charm of downtown Highlands. ☀️

🥕 Organic Fall Farm Market – Brielle
Wednesdays, Oct. 29–Nov. 19 | 9:30 AM–1:30 PM | Brielle Public Library
A cozy, community-minded market offering organic produce, baked goodies, and fall favorites — from pumpkins to fresh herbs. 🍞🌻

🧺 Bring your tote, your appetite, and your love for local — Jersey’s fall harvest is waiting!

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

When a Hearing Aid Isn’t Enough: More older adults have turned to cochlear implants after Medicare expanded eligibility for the devices. The New York Times, Oct. 18.

Prescription Drug Coverage Options Are Shrinking for Medicare Shoppers: Fewer choices may be on the menu again as Medicare patients shop for prescription coverage this fall. Associated Press, Oct. 11.

Pickleball Eye Injuries Surge In U.S.: The surging popularity of pickleball has brought with it a concerning increase in eye injuries among players - especially older players. HealthDay News, Oct. 17.

You Retired and Stopped Commuting. How Do You Lower Car Insurance Costs? Retiring usually means cutting out that daily commute, which could make you less risky to insure. Does that mean your premium will drop? Kiplinger, Oct. 18.

Retirement Road Trips with Pets: Tips for Traveling with Your Dog or Cat: Hitting the road for a retirement adventure with your pet? Check out these tips to keep your furry friend happy and safe on the journey! Kiplinger, Oct. 13.

🎶 Frankie Valli Tribute – Algonquin Theatre
📅 Saturday, Oct. 25 | 2–4 PM
📍 Algonquin Theatre, 60 Abe Voorhees Dr., Manasquan

Get ready to “Walk Like a Man” down memory lane! 🎤 Let’s Hang On, America’s #1 Frankie Valli tribute, brings the timeless hits of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons to life with dazzling harmonies, sharp choreography, and all your favorites — from “Sherry” to “Big Girls Don’t Cry.” A must-see for fans of classic Jersey sound and feel-good nostalgia!

👉 Info & Tickets: Visit the Algonquin Theatre website

🎻 Oct. 23 – Stranger Strings: A Ghostlight Concert — Long Branch
Enjoy hauntingly beautiful melodies performed by the Monmouth String Quartet in this Halloween-themed concert. Info

🌕 Oct. 24 – Lunar Faire: Dark Carnival — Freehold
A mystical night market filled with witchy vendors, fire dancers, oddities, and eerie entertainment under the full moon. Info

🎶 Oct. 25 – “The Phantom of the Opera” with Live Organ — Allentown
Experience the 1925 silent film classic with thrilling live organ accompaniment. Info

🍂 Oct. 26 – The Bazaar Fall Festival at Whitechapel Projects — Long Branch
Shop artisan makers, sip local cider, and soak in cozy coastal autumn vibes. Info

🕯️ Oct. 26 – 1830s All Hallow’s Eve Celebration — Wall Township
Step back in time at Allaire Village for a historic Halloween with candlelit paths, costumed interpreters, and old-fashioned chills! Info

RWJBarnabas Health has reached a significant milestone: the New Jersey Department of Health has accepted their Certificate of Need application, paving the way for a brand new 252-bed acute care hospital on the Vogel Medical Campus in Tinton Falls.

Here’s what it means for Ocean/Monmouth County seniors:

There’s always something buzzing at your Monmouth County Libraries! 📚✨ From crafts to culture to wellness — here’s what’s happening this week!

💬 Lost and Found: Bereavement Support Group
Wednesday, Oct. 22 | 6:45–8 PM | Headquarters, Manalapan
Find comfort and connection among others who’ve experienced loss. This compassionate, facilitator-led support group offers a safe place to share stories and find strength. No registration required.
🖥️ Also meets virtually on the second Wednesday of each month.

🃏 Learn to Play Duplicate Bridge
Wednesday, Oct. 22 | 12–4:45 PM | Headquarters, Manalapan
Ready to deal yourself in? Drop by for this lively, social afternoon of bridge — perfect for learning a new skill or brushing up on your game. Seats are limited, first come, first served.

📚 Marlboro Library Book Sale
Saturday, Oct. 25 | 10 AM–4 PM | Marlboro Branch
It’s the first-ever book sale at Marlboro Library! Pick up gently used books, puzzles, DVDs, and audiobooks. $5 early-bird entry from 9–10 AM; bring your own bag!

🧶 Kelly’s Knit & Crochet Circle
Saturday, Oct. 25 | 11 AM–1 PM | Howell Branch
Join instructor Kelly Cavanaugh for a cozy creative session! All skill levels welcome — just bring your yarn, needles, and imagination. Sponsored by the Friends of Howell Library.

📄 Circle of Origami Paperfolders
Saturday, Oct. 25 | 1–4:30 PM | Headquarters, Manalapan
Calling all origami enthusiasts! Drop in, fold, and share techniques with fellow paper artists in this welcoming monthly meetup. No registration needed.

🪡 Celebrate Diwali: Rich Tapestries of India Workshop
Saturday, Oct. 25 | 2–3 PM | Ocean Township Branch
Celebrate Diwali with artist Seema Moondra! Learn about India’s vibrant textile traditions, then create your own jeweled wall hanging to take home. Registration required. ✨

🌍 WISE Program: Valuing Cultural & Generational Diversity
Monday, Oct. 27 | 11 AM–1 PM | Holmdel Branch
Part of the Wellness Initiative for Senior Education, this thoughtful session explores how culture and age shape our values and communication styles. Open to all — no registration needed.

💬 One-on-One SHIP Medicare Q&A
Monday, Oct. 27 | 2:30–4 PM | Headquarters, Manalapan
Tuesday, Oct. 28 | 2:30–4 PM | Headquarters, Manalapan
Meet with a certified SHIP counselor for free, confidential Medicare guidance. Walk-ins welcome — first come, first served.

🪡 Fall Embroidery with Jenny Santa Maria
Monday, Oct. 27 | 5–7 PM | Holmdel Branch
Discover the art of embroidery with teaching artist Jenny Santa Maria in this hands-on beginner class. All supplies included — just bring your curiosity! Registration required.

🧘 De-Stress Through Meditation, Yoga & Breathing
Monday, Oct. 27 | 7–8:30 PM | Eastern Branch, Shrewsbury
Relax and restore your calm through simple breathing and meditation techniques — no mat needed. Led by Dhan Goboori of the Art of Living Foundation. Registration encouraged.

⚰️ Old Cemeteries of Eastern Monmouth County
Wednesday, Oct. 29 | 7–8 PM | Eastern Branch, Shrewsbury
Local historian Greg Caggiano takes you on a fascinating tour through Monmouth County’s oldest cemeteries — blending local lore, famous figures, and spooky stories. Perfect for Halloween week! 👻

✨ For details, registration links, and even more programs, visit themonmouthcountylib.org.

Sunday, Oct. 26 | 10 AM–12 PM | Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold

Step back in time for some old-fashioned Halloween fun! 🎃
Bring the little ones to Historic Walnford to trick-or-treat their way through this charming 18th-century village. As you stroll from building to building, friendly staff will share fun historical tidbits — and hand out treats to fill those baskets! Free admission — just bring your costumes and curiosity!

Duck Donuts in Middletown has brought back its fan-favorite Spooky Dozen — a limited-time lineup of Halloween-themed treats guaranteed to make your sweet tooth scream with joy! 👻

Here’s what’s in the hauntingly delicious mix:
🍫 Dirt & Worms: Chocolate icing with OREO® cookie pieces and a gummy worm on top
🎃 Halloween Haunting: Vanilla icing with Halloween sprinkles and buttercream
🧛 Werewolf: Maple icing with chopped bacon and raspberry drizzle
⚰️ Graveyard: Vanilla icing with OREO® cookie pieces and marshmallow drizzle

Available through Nov. 2, these frightfully fun donuts are perfect for parties or a visit with the grandkids. 🕸️ Grab a dozen before they vanish into the night!

Nothing says “fall in Freehold” like a crisp apple, a warm donut, and a hayride through the orchard! 🍂 This Saturday, Oct. 25 & Sunday, Oct. 26 (9 AM – 4 PM), head to Battleview Orchards for a classic pick-your-own weekend featuring Stayman Winesap, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Braeburn, Empire, Fuji, Cortland, Rome Beauty, and Jonathan apples — plus pumpkins by the patch! 🎃 (Note: Orchard is cash only — and sorry, no pets or therapy animals.)

And after a day in the orchard… 🥧 why not turn those apples into a pie straight from the Battleview family recipe box?

You’ll need:

Directions:

✨ Serve warm with vanilla ice cream — and a side of cider, of course!

📍 Battleview Orchards is located at 91 Wemrock Rd., Freehold

Dreaming of where to go next? Whether you’re craving old-school cruise glamour, a cozy holiday escape, or a top-rated mountain retreat, these new travel headlines might just spark your next adventure.

All Aboard for a Golden-Age Caribbean Voyage
Dreaming of classic style and sun-drenched seas? The team at Holland America Line and Pan Am are inviting guests to an epic 28-day Caribbean cruise channeling the golden era of travel. Time to pack your vintage charm and set sail! Info

Holiday Magic Returns to Omni
Ready for festive flair? Omni Hotels & Resorts is bringing back Blitzen’s Bar, Santa’s Landing Rooms and a host of merry traditions to unwrap that holiday sparkle early. Cozy up and get into the spirit! Info

Top-Rated Northeast Resort Alert
Heading to the Northeast? The charming Mirror Lake Inn Resort & Spa in Lake Placid has just been named the Best Resort in the Northeast by readers of Condé Nast Traveler—hello mountain views, cozy fireside vibes and full-service spa indulgence. Info

🚢 Queen Elizabeth Sets Sail from Miami
Cunard’s legendary Queen Elizabeth has officially made Miami her home port — for the first time ever! From October 2025 through April 2026, she’ll whisk guests away on 9- to 21-night Caribbean voyages, exploring gems like San Juan, St. Lucia, Barbados, Belize, and Cozumel. The freshly refreshed ship brings new flair with “Karibe,” a restaurant inspired by Caribbean flavors, and lively “Whispering Hour” deck parties featuring Whispering Angel wines. Onboard entertainment shines, too — including a first-at-sea production of Come From Away. Once her Caribbean season wraps, the Queen Elizabeth will head north to Seattle for summer 2026, sailing scenic Alaska itineraries through Glacier Bay and beyond. Info

🍂 Halloween’s creeping closer, and there’s no shortage of thrills, chills, and a few feel-good escapes on the small screen. Here’s what’s new.

💥 A House of Dynamite (Netflix | Oct 24)
Director Kathryn Bigelow returns with a pulse-pounding, minute-by-minute nuclear-crisis thriller. As a mystery missile barrels toward Chicago, the White House scrambles from three gripping perspectives — with Idris Elba, Rebecca Ferguson, Anthony Ramos and Tracy Letts.

❤️ Stiller & Meara: Nothing Is Lost (Apple TV+ | Oct 24)
Ben Stiller lovingly honors his legendary parents, Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara, in this family-made documentary packed with rare home footage and heart.

🏝 Eden (Prime Video | Oct 22)
Ron Howard’s true-story drama follows 1920s dreamers chasing utopia on a remote Galápagos island — with Jude Law, Ana de Armas and Sydney Sweeney. Spoiler: paradise isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

🧠 Harlan Coben’s Lazarus (Prime Video | Oct 22)
Sam Claflin stars as a forensic psychiatrist unearthing dark family secrets and cold cases in this twisty new mystery.

💞 Nobody Wants This (Netflix | Oct 23)
Season 2 of the charming rom-com starring Kristen Bell and Adam Brody returns. Can love survive religious differences and real-life chaos? We’re rooting for Team Joah!

🧙‍♀️ Anne Rice’s Talamasca: The Secret Order (AMC+ | Oct 26)
The Immortal Universe expands with a new series about a secret society that tracks witches and vampires — cameos from Interview with the Vampire included.

🤡 It — Welcome to Derry (HBO Max | Oct 26)
The creepy prequel to Stephen King’s It dives into Derry’s dark past (1962). Bill Skarsgård is back as Pennywise — so keep the lights on.

If you’re in the mood for a nostalgic scare (or a cozy laugh between candy-handouts), here are a few timeless treats to stream this week:

🍬 Hocus Pocus (Disney+) — The Sanderson sisters never get old! A Salem staple for cackles and candy corn.
💀 Beetlejuice (Max) — Michael Keaton’s mischievous ghost antics still delight 35 years later. Say his name—just once. 😉
🕯 Practical Magic (Hulu) — Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman mix sisterhood, romance, and witchy charm.
🏚 The Addams Family (Paramount+) — Snap along with the spookiest (and funniest) clan on TV.
🧛‍♂️ Bram Stoker’s Dracula (Netflix) — Gary Oldman’s haunting take on the Count remains one of the best.

🍿 Grab a blanket, light a pumpkin candle, and settle in for a frightfully fun movie night!

We know — Halloween isn’t even here yet! But the elves at Morven Museum & Garden in Princeton are already hard at work decking the halls for one of New Jersey’s most enchanting holiday traditions: the Festival of Trees, celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. 🌟

From Nov. 19, 2025 through Jan. 11, 2026, Morven’s historic mansion will sparkle with 17 creatively decorated trees and mantels, each designed by local non-profits, schools, garden clubs, and artists. It’s a dazzling display of imagination and community spirit that fills every corner of the museum with warmth, color, and festive cheer.

🎬 This year’s whimsical themes include:
🎲 Family Game Night
🐝 A Tribute to Pollinators
🌙 Midnight Winter Conservatory
🎭 All Aboard to Movie Magic
🍋 Fruit of the Holiday Spirit
🎨 Neapolitan Baroque
🇮🇸 The Yule Lads of Iceland
…and plenty of surprises! Visitors can even vote for their favorite designs as they wander through the wonderland.

🕒 Dates & Hours:
Nov. 19, 2025 – Jan. 11, 2026
Open Wednesday–Sunday, 10 AM–4 PM
Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day & New Year’s Day

📍 Location:
Morven Museum & Garden, 55 Stockton Street, Princeton, NJ

🎟 Tickets (includes museum admission):

✨ A must-see for festive souls of all ages — it’s pure Christmas joy, Jersey-style!

Thanks for spending a little time with us — we love sharing what makes life in New Jersey better with age!

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Monmouth Senior Scoop is a publication of Better With Age New Jersey

_{Disclaimer: We’re here to inform and inspire — not to diagnose or advise. Nothing in this newsletter should be taken as medical or financial advice (always check with a pro before making big decisions). And nope, none of our stories or mentions are sponsored — yet! (But if that ever changes, we’ll tell you right up front.)} 💛