News and events this week for Monmouth County seniors

Spring is officially doing its thing — and this week’s lineup proves it. We’ve got glowing egg hunts, bunny brunches, a skydiving Easter Bunny (we’re not kidding), and two big St. Patrick’s Day parades making a comeback after that surprise winter encore.

Whether you’re planning a grandkid outing, a local day trip, or just something fun to get you out of the house, we’ve got you covered.

Let’s get into it 👇

🐰 Take the Grandkids: Easter Fun Edition
📍 Out & About This Week
📚 Beyond the Books (Library Picks)
🌿 In the Parks
💡 Did You Know? (Help with electric bills)
✈️ Wanderlust Weekly (Cruises + spring trips)
📢 Resource Fair Reminder
🧑‍🍳 In the Kitchen (Easter recipes)
🎭 Take the Grandkids (Seussical!)
📺 TV Time
🎂 Celebrity Birthdays

Up first…

Easter fun is popping up all over Monmouth County, and this year’s lineup includes everything from glowing eggs to farm rides to a bunny who apparently travels by airplane.

🌟 Glow in the Dark Easter Egg Hunt lights up Bradley Beach Recreation Center (rear), 39 Main St., on Friday, March 27 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. This one is for kids in grades 5 through 12, and yes, they’ll be hunting for glowing eggs. Bring your own bag.

🥕 Sonny the Bunny’s Colossal Carrot Adventure hops into iPlay America, 108 Schanck Rd., Freehold, on Saturday, March 28 from 10 a.m. to noon. The event features a festive bunny trail, treat-filled eggs, holiday selfie snapshots, and raffle prizes — including an iPlay America Mega Birthday Party.

🐣 Wall Township’s Easter Egg Hunt is set for Saturday, March 28 from 10 a.m. to noon at Community Park at the Wall Municipal Complex, 2700 Allaire Rd. Kids ages 3 to 10 can hunt for eggs, visit the Easter Bunny, and keep an eye out for special “175th” eggs that can be traded for a patriotic prize basket. No registration required, but don’t be late — the hunt starts promptly.

🍳 Easter Bunny Brunch takes over The Bistro at iPlay America, 110 Schanck Rd., Freehold, on Saturday and Sunday, March 28-29, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Expect bunny photos, a coloring book, and a specialty kids’ menu.

🪂 Easter Egg Hunt and Easter Bunny Skydive lands at Monmouth Jet Center, 4870 W. Hurley Pond Rd., Wall Township, on Saturday, March 28 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The big draw here: a skydiving Easter Bunny, followed by an egg hunt for children of all ages. Bring your Easter baskets.

🏡 Easter Celebration at Allaire Village happens Saturday, March 28 and Saturday, April 4, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 4263 Atlantic Ave., Wall Township. This one is packed: live chicks and bunnies, a bubble magician, bonnet decorating, egg collecting, glitter tattoos, crafts, storytelling, a scavenger hunt, Easter Bunny sightings, food trucks, and old-time village demos. Bring your own basket for egg collecting.

🚜 Easter Festival at Cardinale Farms, 222 Easy St., Howell, runs Saturday, March 28 from noon to 5 p.m. Kids ages 2 to 10 can do an egg hunt and trade eggs for a prize, then stick around for farm animals, hayrides, pony rides, bounce houses, train rides, games, and more.

🎶 Long Branch Easter Egg Hunt wraps up the weekend on Sunday, March 29 from 10 to 11 a.m. at West End Park, 607 Ocean Ave. N., Long Branch. It’s for kids ages 2 to 10 and includes prizes and DJ entertainment.

A little Irish spirit, a little country music, and a whole lot of local fun.

🍀 Belmar–Lake Como St. Patrick’s Day Parade marches down Main Street in Belmar on Saturday, March 28 from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. — and yes, it’s a big one. We’re talking 6,000+ participants, pipe bands, dancers, and plenty of green. (Rescheduled after that not-so-little blizzard.)

🍀 Keansburg’s Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade follows on Saturday, March 28 from 1 to 4 p.m., starting near Half Moon, 2 Beachway Ave. Expect a festive, family-friendly celebration filled with Irish pride — and a good excuse to wear that bright green sweater.

🎶 Country Music Bingo hits The Proving Ground, 56 Shrewsbury Ave., Highlands on Monday, March 30 from 7 to 9 p.m. Think bingo meets your favorite country hits — with prizes, sing-alongs, and a little honky-tonk energy to start the week.

Library people, this week is stacked. Taxes, tiles, trivia from the past and even some paper folding. Look for event more events on the Monmouth County Libraries website

Need tax help? The AARP Tax-Aide program is running at several Monmouth County Library branches. At the Eastern Branch in Shrewsbury, appointments are available Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. through April 11. The Marlboro Branch is also offering free tax prep on Thursday, March 26 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., with appointments preferred and limited walk-ins before noon. Prefer to wing it? Hazlet and Wall both have walk-in AARP Tax-Aide help on Friday, March 27 from 1 to 4 p.m.

Game faces on. At the Eastern Branch in Shrewsbury, Learn to Play Bridge meets Thursday, March 26 from 9:30 a.m. to noon, with beginner- and intermediate-friendly play and volunteer guidance. Over in Holmdel, Thursday is Game Day brings Mahjongg and Bridge to the library meeting room on Thursday, March 26 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Then if you’re still feeling lucky, the Holmdel Mah Jongg Club returns Thursday, March 26 from 1 to 4 p.m. for experienced players. And in West Long Branch, weekly Mahjongg lands on Tuesday, March 31 from 1 to 4 p.m. — bring your own card and your best poker face.

For the history buffs: “All History is Local: The Sand Hill Indians and the Minisink Trail” heads to Library Headquarters in Manalapan on Thursday, March 26 from 2 to 4 p.m. It’s a fascinating look at the Indigenous history of Monmouth County and one of its old migration and trade routes. Then on Monday, March 30 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., also at Headquarters, historian Rick Feingold will present “Women Air Force Service Pilots,” spotlighting the female pilots of World War II who helped change aviation history.

Crafty crowd, step right up. Knit Wits meets at Library Headquarters in Manalapan on Thursday, March 26 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. for knitters, crocheters, and crafters of all skill levels. Bring your own supplies and settle in. Then on Saturday, March 28 from 1 to 4:30 p.m., the Circle of Origami Paperfolders takes over Room 7 at Headquarters for an afternoon of folds and flourishes.

A couple of smart extras worth circling: One-on-One SHIP Q&A for Medicare guidance is set for Monday, March 30 from 2:30 to 4 p.m. at Headquarters in Manalapan, with free, confidential help for Medicare beneficiaries and caregivers. In Allentown, Puzzle Drop-In happens Tuesday, March 31 from 6 to 8:45 p.m. if you like your socializing with a side of missing edge pieces, and “Early Allentown: Ready to Aid the Revolution” follows that night from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. for local history fans.

Looking ahead: the Genealogy Club meets at the Eastern Branch in Shrewsbury on Wednesday, April 1 from 2 to 3 p.m., and the Hazlet Banned Book Club will discuss A Wrinkle in Time that same evening, April 1 from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Hazlet Township Branch.

Plenty going on — and yes, the library is once again proving it is not just about books.

The latest news on aging from trusted media sources.

Top Senior Scams and How to Avoid Them: Protect yourself: the most common senior scams and how to dodge them. Savvy Senior, March 16.

How to Stay Steady on Your Feet: Do you worry about falling? These safety moves and medication smarts can better your balance. Consumer Reports, March 21.

Medicare Costs Could Double If Your Income Crosses This Line: Retirees who continue working or take large withdrawals from their retirement accounts face a significant Medicare stealth surcharge. The Street, March 19.

How to Keep Your Work Friends After You Retire: Work friends can make the toughest days better. While retiring changes your daily rhythm, it’s also a good time to curate a community built on shared passions. Here’s how. Kiplinger, March 16.

Retiring Near the Coast? What Waterfront Living Really Costs After 60: Want to retire in a beach town in the U.S. or abroad? Get to know these lifestyle and financial factors first. Kiplinger, March 21.

A little shopping, a little history, a little live music — not a bad way to spend a spring Saturday.

🛍️ Shop small and stroll happy at the Spring Craft Show on Saturday, March 28, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Fort Monmouth Recreation Center in Tinton Falls. More than 40 local artists and crafters will be there with handmade goods, and both admission and parking are free.

🪵 Watch a block of wood become something special during a Wood Carving Demonstration on Saturday, March 28, from 1 to 3 p.m. at Historic Longstreet Farm in Holmdel. It’s a simple, satisfying little peek at old-school craftsmanship — and yes, it’s free.

🎹 Then wander over to the farmhouse for a musical throwback. Also on Saturday, March 28, from 1 to 3 p.m., Piano Ballads from the Turn-of-the-Century will fill Historic Longstreet Farm with the popular songs of another era. Also free.

For more on these Park System programs, visit MonmouthCountyParks.com or call 732-842-4000. For persons with hearing impairment, the Park System TTY/TDD number is 711.

Here’s the latest travel news, whether you’re planning a trip for yourself or a trip with the grandkids!

Book now, cruise later: American Cruise Lines’ new American Encore is heading for the Pacific Northwest, where it will start sailing the Columbia and Snake Rivers on May 5. Even better for long-range planners, the company says its 50-plus itineraries are open for booking through 2028, including 9- to 16-day river cruises and National Parks itineraries with guided adventures in Yellowstone, Glacier and Grand Teton. Info

A new Disney ship is on the horizon: Disney Cruise Line says its next vessel will be the Disney Believe, a new Wish-class ship expected to launch in late 2027. The ship’s theme centers on promise and possibility, with inspiration from “Encanto,” “Frozen,” “Snow White,” “Moana,” and “The Little Mermaid.” It’s part of Disney’s major cruise push, with the fleet set to grow to 13 ships by 2031. Info

Ready to plan ahead? Disney Cruise Line has opened bookings for its fall 2026 and spring 2027 sailings, with itineraries now available to The Bahamas, Caribbean, Pacific Coast and Mexico. That means travelers can start locking in cruises that include stops at Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point — plus all the port adventures and excursions that come with them.

A sweeter spring break: Hershey’s Chocolate World has a new Spring Savings Bundle that’s available now for visits March 30-April 26. For $49.95 per person, guests get Create Your Own Candy Bar, Hershey’s Great Candy Expedition, Hershey’s Unwrapped, plus a bakery treat voucher — a savings of more than 30%. Also back for the season: Breakfast with the Reester Bunny on weekends through April 4, with a buffet, photos, a Bunny Hop dance, egg scavenger hunt, and 20% off retail shopping. Info

Easter brunch just got a little more spud-tacular. Potatoes USA is serving up five festive recipes for the holiday: Mashed Potato Bunny Tail Meatloaf Cupcakes, Potato Roses, Bunny Mashed Potato Board, Hash Brown Egg Nests, and Deviled Potatoes. The group says the fun, photo-friendly dishes are designed to wow guests and brighten the brunch table, while still delivering plenty of comfort-food appeal. As Chef RJ Harvey of Potatoes USA put it, Easter brunch is the perfect excuse to “go all out.” For more spring recipe ideas, visit PotatoGoodness.com.

🎭 Oh, the places you’ll go… to the theater! Seussical the Musical is taking over the Bell Theater, 101 Crawfords Corner Rd., Holmdel, with a colorful, kid-friendly adventure featuring Horton, the Cat in the Hat, Jojo, and the rest of the Dr. Seuss crew. Showtimes are Friday, March 27 from 7 to 9 p.m., Saturday, March 28 from 3 to 5 p.m., and Sunday, March 29 from 3 to 5 p.m. Get ticket info here.

Your couch has a busy week ahead.

On the movie side, “Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice” lands Friday, March 27 on Disney+, with James Marsden as a hitman hired by a time traveler played by Vince Vaughn — which already sounds gloriously unhinged. “Sentimental Value” arrives Monday on Hulu, fresh off its Oscar win for best international film, while Daniel Day-Lewis returns from retirement in “Anemone,” premiering Saturday, March 28 on Netflix.

Over in series land, Disney+ is throwing it back with the “Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special” on Tuesday — a fun one to watch with the grandkids, with music, nostalgic clips, and a Miley interview. Netflix is also stepping up to the plate with its first MLB broadcast on Wednesday, when the Giants host the Yankees. And for those who like their streaming a little creepy, “Something Very Bad is Going to Happen” debuts Thursday on Netflix, serving wedding jitters with a side of dread.

First, a very happy 78th birthday to Manalapan’s own Heddy Shapiro, celebrating on March 25. Wishing you a day filled with love, laughter, and all the little moments that make a year well lived — here’s to many more happy, healthy birthdays ahead. 🎉

Also blowing out candles on March 25: Gene Shalit turns 100, which frankly deserves a standing ovation. Paul Michael Glaser is 83, and Elton John hits 79. Also celebrating: Steve Norman of Spandau Ballet, 66; and actors Marcia Cross, 64; Lisa Gay Hamilton, 62; and Sarah Jessica Parker, 61.

On March 26, the birthday lineup keeps rolling with Diana Ross, 82; Steven Tyler, 78; Vicki Lawrence, 77; Ernest Thomas, 77; Ronnie McDowell, 76; and Martin Short, 76.

📸 Big congrats to Gary Gellman, who took top honors in Monmouth County’s 2026 Travel Guide cover photo contest with a stunning aerial shot of the Sea Girt Lighthouse — and yes, it’s every bit as postcard-perfect as you’re imagining.

Hundreds of entries came in from across New Jersey, but Gary’s shot rose to the top, capturing one of the county’s crown jewels along its 53 miles of coastline (and those iconic lighthouses we all secretly love).

👉 Want to see it for yourself? You can reserve your 2026 Monmouth County Travel Guide at MonmouthCountyTourism.com.

Not a bad reminder that sometimes… the best views are right in our own backyard. 🌊

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

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😎See you next week!

The Monmouth Senior Scoop team

Disclaimer: A quick note before you hop off 🐰 We do our best to keep everything here accurate and up to date, but event times, details, and even bunny appearances can change — so it’s always smart to double-check before heading out. Any info on health, finances, taxes, or services is meant to be helpful, not official advice — for anything specific, it’s best to check with a professional.