🌸 Spring into Action: Earth Day Adventures, Garden Rewards, and Sweet Treats for the Grandkids! 🍦🌿

✈️It’s also just 13 days until the REAL ID deadline. Starting May 7, 2025, U.S. travelers will need to be REAL ID compliant to board domestic flights or enter certain federal buildings. Emergency appointments are now available at the Trenton Regional Center for travelers within 14 days of a scheduled trip. There are two types:

Appointments are limited, can’t be transferred, and walk-ins aren’t allowed. There’s also an $80 expedited shipping fee. If you have a passport (even expired up to a year), you may not qualify for an appointment. For details, visit the NJ MVC website.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny and mild with a high near 74°F—perfect for a long walk or coffee on the porch. 🌼
Thursday: Another beautiful day ahead with plenty of sunshine and a high near 73°F. 🌞
Friday: Clouds start to roll in—partly sunny with a chance of showers by late afternoon. High near 69°F. 🌧️
Saturday: Keep the umbrella handy—showers likely and a high around 70°F. ☔
Sunday: Back to bright skies and breezy vibes! Sunny with a high near 66°F. 😎🌻

Spring has sprung, and there’s no better time to explore New Jersey’s beautiful gardens, farms, and orchards! The state has just launched a new mobile guide—the Jersey Gardens Trail—plus a dedicated online hub called Gardens of The Garden State at VisitNJ.org. With 41 stunning spots to discover, from tulip fields to butterfly gardens and even a cranberry farming village, it’s a fresh way to enjoy the great outdoors.

Best of all, you can earn rewards just by visiting! 🌼 Snap photos, take a stroll, and collect points to redeem for fun items like a garden-themed tote bag or stainless steel water bottle. Whether you're a lifelong gardener or just love a peaceful walk among the flowers, this is a fun and rewarding way to see New Jersey in bloom.

🌿 Want to learn how to get the app and start planning your garden adventures? We’ve got the full scoop right here: betterwithagenj.com

Do your grandkids eat, sleep, and breathe soccer? Here’s your chance to become their official MVP!

The FIFA Club World Cup 2025™ is kicking off right in our own backyard this summer—and it's going to be big! For the first time ever, 32 of the world's top club teams will battle it out across the U.S., with the grand finale happening at MetLife Stadium on July 13, 2025. The action starts June 14, so mark those calendars!

This is a rare opportunity to treat your soccer super-fans to a once-in-a-lifetime experience—and maybe score a few cool-grandparent points along the way. 🌟

Heads up: Tickets are expected to go fast and are on sale now. Whether you're cheering in the stands or watching from home, this is one global event you won’t want to miss!

Jersey Freeze, the iconic New Jersey ice cream shop beloved since 1952, is expanding again! After delighting fans at its original Freehold location—Bruce Springsteen’s longtime favorite—and its second ice cream-only spot at Holmdel’s Bell Works, Jersey Freeze is now heading to Colts Neck. 🎉

The new shop is expected to open this summer in The Orchards plaza along Route 34, joining popular neighbors like Rook Coffee ☕ and Gianni’s Pizzeria 🍕. Locals are buzzing with excitement as Jersey Freeze continues to serve up classic soft-serve treats and diner-style favorites to an ever-growing fan base. 🍨✨

Timely headlines and helpful reads for older adults from trusted news sources.

Paging Dr. Google: What Medical Topics You Should (and Shouldn't) Research Online: Use caution when using search engines for health symptoms and care information. Next Avenue, April 16

Vaccines Medicare Covers for Free: The U.S. is experiencing an outbreak of measles and is on track to have the most whooping cough cases since 1948; these vaccines Medicare covers for free can keep you safe. Kiplinger, April 18.

That Ringing in Your Ears You Can't Shake? There's a Name For It: If you often experience a ringing in your ears or hear sounds that no one else can, you're not alone. USA Today, April 16.

Six Reasons to Disinherit Someone and How to Do It: Whether you're navigating a second marriage, dealing with an estranged relative or leaving your assets to charity, there are reasons to disinherit someone. Here's how. Kiplinger, April 17.

Balancing Marriage When You Are the Primary Caregivers: How couples can stay connected when they also are committed to caregiving. Next Avenue, April 17.

Nature, nostalgia, and a little bit of puzzle power!

🐑 Wool Days & Sheep Shearing – April 26 & 27
📍 Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel
Step back in time this weekend at Historic Longstreet Farm! From 12–3 p.m. on Saturday & Sunday, the Monmouth County Park System is hosting Wool Days, featuring traditional sheep shearing with blade tools, herding demos by Gene Sheninger and his amazing collies, and a peek into 1890s farm life.

🪢 Bonus! Just down the road, the Historic Holmes-Hendrickson House will be open with live demos on carding, spinning, and weaving — a true hands-on history experience. Free shuttles run between both sites.

🎟️ Admission & parking are free!
🌐 MonmouthCountyParks.com | ☎️ 732-842-4000

🧩 Puzzle Lovers Unite! – May 3
📍 Thompson Park Theater Barn, Lincroft
Calling all jigsaw puzzle pros and casual solvers alike! 🧠🧩 Swing by the Jigsaw Puzzle Swap from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, May 3. Bring your gently-used puzzles and trade them in for something new-to-you. All types and difficulty levels welcome — just make sure the puzzles are complete and in good shape!

🔄 It’s a great way to refresh your collection and connect with fellow puzzlers.
🌐 MonmouthCountyParks.com

From street fairs to concerts, here's what's coming up in our neck of the woods!

Wanna go for a drive? These fun day trips may be worth the mileage 🚗✨

🌍 Earth Day Open House – Saturday, April 26
📍 Huber Woods Environmental Center, Middletown
Get the grandkids outside and celebrating nature! From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Monmouth County Park System invites families to an Earth Day Open House featuring:

🦎 Live Animal Displays
🚶‍♂️ Guided Nature Walks
🎨 Crafts & Activities
🌿 Invasive Species Talks
🐦 Birding Walks & Mindful Moments

🎟️ Admission and parking are free!
📍 25 Brown’s Dock Road, Middletown
🌦️ Note: Activities may change due to weather.
🌐 MonmouthCountyParks.com

🌱 More Earth Day Adventures!

🌼 April 22 – Earth Day Planting
📍 Holmdel Park, 44 Longstreet Rd, Holmdel
🕔 5–6:30 p.m.
Dig in and help restore the park’s native forest. All ages welcome — supplies available on a first-come, first-served basis!

🏖️ April 27 – Earth Day Beach Cleanups
Let the little ones learn the importance of protecting our shores 🌊 while giving back together.

🌐 MonmouthCountyParks.com | ☎️ 732-842-4000

Hey there, paper stackers! 📄 If your desk drawers are bursting with old bills, bank statements, or medical records, the Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners has your back. 🧾✨

They’re offering 16 FREE paper shredding events in 2025, giving you a secure and simple way to dispose of sensitive documents — and protect yourself from identity theft.

🛑 Important Notes:

🕘 Most events run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
(Except July 14, which is 4–8 p.m.)

📅 Here’s What’s Coming Up:

🧹 Time to clean house — safely and securely! For a full list of 2025 events or more info, visit:
👉 MonmouthCountyNJ.gov

Ocean County is helping veterans reconnect with the great outdoors through a brand-new program called Veterans in Nature. Launching this spring, the series offers seasonal outdoor activities—like paddle boarding, bird watching, kayaking, and photography—for just $5 per session. Veterans can even bring a guest along!

The goal? To give local vets a chance to relax, heal, and enjoy the beauty of nature—all while connecting with others and accessing helpful resources from the Department of Veterans Services. 🌳 Registration is simple. Visit OceanCountyParks.org or head straight to the form here: https://tinyurl.com/22hcyjpw. Questions? Call 732-506-9090 for assistance.

🎉 Happy 84th Birthday to Lisa DeMatteo of Middletown! 🎂
Wishing you a joyful and love-filled day, Lisa! May your 84th year be full of good health, laughter, and special moments. 🎈💐You're in great company—here are a few famous folks who share your birthday:
📜 William Shakespeare (1564) – Legendary English playwright and poet
💃 Gigi Hadid (1995) – International supermodel
🎶 Roy Orbison (1936) – Iconic rock singer-songwriter
🎥 Dev Patel (1990) – Acclaimed actor known for Slumdog Millionaire

Cheers to you, Lisa! 🥳

That’s it for today’s edition — thanks for spending a little time with us. 💌

🍦 Big shoutout to Jersey Freeze for planning a THIRD location in Monmouth County! 🎉 Here's hoping another location means shorter lines and quicker access to those legendary cones we all crave from the Freehold spot. Treat yourself—you’ve earned it! 😋✨

📢Have a local event, birthday greeting, or bit of good news you want to share with your Monmouth County neighbors? Just email [email protected] — we’d love to hear from you!

😊See you next week!

The Better With Age New Jersey team