The Monmouth Senior Scoop

Fairs, garden tours, concerts, farmers markets and a few patriotic treats are filling the calendar this week.

Here’s what’s inside:

🏊 Helping Hands
🎡 This Week’s Plans
☀️ Summer Health Tip
🛋️ Wayfair Goes Offline
🍓 A Very Patriotic Dessert
🥪 TV Time
📰 Prime Time News

Up first…

A wave of new stores, relocations and renovations is underway at Freehold Raceway Mall — apparently the mall did some shopping of its own. Three stores have recently opened, three more are under construction, and the mall is also preparing for the fall 2027 arrival of Von Maur. The department store will take over the former Nordstrom space and bring premium brands including Vuori, Tommy Bahama, TravisMathew and Free People Movement.

👟 JD Sports
Lower Level, next to Ulta Beauty

The former Finish Line has expanded and rebranded as JD Sports, offering footwear, apparel and accessories from Nike, Adidas, Puma, New Balance and other major brands, including exclusive and limited-edition releases.

🌸 Perfumania
Upper Level, Center Court entrance

The discount fragrance retailer has opened with designer perfumes, colognes, gift sets and accessories.

🛏️ Sleep Number
Outdoor Village, near Kura Sushi and The Cheesecake Factory

Sleep Number has relocated to the Outdoor Village, where shoppers can try its adjustable smart beds and other sleep solutions.

🛝 Kids Empire
Exterior entrance next to Primark
Opening early summer 2026

The indoor play destination will offer children and families a new place to climb, explore and burn off the kind of energy adults can only vaguely remember having.

👖 Levi’s
Lower Level, opposite Zara
Opening mid-June 2026

The iconic denim brand is making its mall debut with jeans, tops, outerwear and accessories.

👕 Gap
Lower Level, DICK’S House of Sport wing
Opening summer 2026

Gap will return with a refreshed concept featuring casual clothing and essentials for women, men and children.

So whether you need sneakers, perfume, a smarter mattress, new jeans or somewhere for the grandkids to run wild, Freehold Raceway Mall is working on it.

A bathing suit may seem simple, but for some families, not having one can keep a child from taking potentially lifesaving swim lessons.

The Garden State Bathing Suit and Goggle Drive is collecting new children’s bathing suits and swim goggles for programs that provide free or low-cost swim instruction and drowning-prevention education in under-resourced communities.

Donations may be dropped off through Aug.15 at:

📍 Fort Monmouth Recreation Center Poolhouse
📍 Dorbrook Recreation Area Poolhouse
📍 Huber Woods Environmental Center

A small donation could help a child learn to swim — and stay safe in the water.

Historic Allaire has quilting, antique flags and a little early Fourth of July spirit on the calendar.

🧵 Beyond the Counter: Creating Hexi Squares
Sunday, June 28, from 2–4 p.m.
General Store, Historic Village at Allaire

Learn the traditional art of creating German hexi squares for quilts during this hands-on adult craft workshop. The cost is $25 per person, and advance registration is required.

🇺🇸 Antique American Flag Display
Thursday, July 2, through Sunday, July 5
11 a.m.–4 p.m.
Allaire Chapel

Celebrate America’s birthday with a free display of antique American flags inside the historic chapel. Visitors can see the craftsmanship and history behind these symbols of American heritage up close. Admission is free. Donations are welcome and will help preserve the collection.

St. Mary’s Great Fair begins tonight in Middletown and runs through Saturday, June 27, with six straight nights of rides, games, food and family fun.

Then head to the Wall Township Fair, running Thursday through Sunday, June 25–28, with more rides, live music, a new Friday parade and Sunday night fireworks.

Wednesday, June 24

The Seaside Garden Tour takes over Spring Lake with 10 private gardens, waterfront views, sculpted shrubs, raised vegetable beds, a “She Shed” and even a toy train winding through the flowers. Refreshments on an 1880 porch seal the deal.

Wednesday, June 24
Monmouth University

A candlelit string quartet takes on both composers amid thousands of flickering candles and plenty of dramatic classical music.

Thursday, June 25
The Vogel, Red Bank

The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra brings the music of Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Thelonious Monk and other legends to Red Bank.

Then keep the groove going Friday, June 26, with a free outdoor concert by Vintage Vibe Tribe at Trinity Episcopal Church.

Friday, June 26

The Downtown Freehold Farmers Market returns with Jersey Fresh produce, baked goods, flowers, and honey.

Friday through Sunday, June 26–28
Rumson

The musical 1776 hits the stage just in time for America’s 250th birthday. Expect Founding Fathers, political drama and a reminder that getting everyone to agree has never been easy.

Older adults may not feel thirst as strongly, which can make dehydration sneak up quickly in warm weather.

Sip water throughout the day, carry a refillable bottle when you go out and take extra breaks in the shade or air conditioning.

Watch for warning signs such as dizziness, headache, unusual fatigue, confusion or dark-colored urine. Some medications can also affect how your body handles heat, so check with your doctor or pharmacist before spending long periods outdoors.

The online home giant plans to open a massive new retail location in Princeton in 2027, giving shoppers a chance to see furniture, décor, appliances and housewares in person before clicking “buy.”

The approximately 135,000-square-foot store will open at Nassau Park Pavilion along Route 1 and will include room displays, same-day take-home items, delivery for larger pieces and free design services.

So yes, you’ll finally be able to test the chair, inspect the fabric and make sure that “warm beige” is not actually gray before committing.

Paris Baguette is rolling out a limited-time red, white and blue menu for America’s 250th birthday — and there are plenty of local cafés where you can join the celebration.

The bakery recently opened a new location at 60 Centennial Drive in Long Branch, adding to existing shops in Holmdel, Red Bank and Old Bridge. A new café at Manalapan Towne Pointe, 357 Route 9, is also coming soon.

The headliner is the Stars & Stripes Berry Trifle Cake, layered with vanilla sponge, cream, strawberries and blueberries. Preorders begin June 22, and the cake will be available in cafés July 1–5.

Also joining the party:

🍩 A Red, White & Blue Mochi Donut
🍉 A Watermelon Sweet Cream Energy Infusion

And because apparently dessert was not enough, Paris Baguette is giving away a trip for four to Colonial Williamsburg. The prize includes airfare, three hotel nights, restaurant gift cards, admission to Colonial Williamsburg and Busch Gardens, luggage and Paris Baguette goodies. Enter on Instagram from June 26 through July 4 by following @parisbaguette_usa, liking the giveaway post and tagging your travel companions.

Taste of Home has launched The Great American Sandwich Show, a new YouTube series hosted by comedian, writer and chef Lindsay Ames.

Each episode brings a celebrity into the kitchen to recreate a favorite sandwich, while Ames makes her own version and the conversation moves from cooking tips to personal stories and rapid-fire questions.

The premiere features Top Chef alum Kristen Kish making an Italian sub. Future guests include Joel Kim Booster, Russell Dickerson and Aisha Tyler.

New episodes will roll out every other week on Taste of Home’s YouTube channel.

Come for the celebrity banter. Stay because somebody is finally treating the sandwich with the seriousness it deserves.

The latest news on aging from trusted media sources.

💊 Taking GLP-1s While on BP Meds May Up Your Risk of Dizzy Spells, Fainting: Older adults and people with type 2 diabetes seem to be most vulnerable. Patients already taking blood pressure medication should also be closely monitored by their doctor. June 15, HealthDay News.

📄 How To Appeal Your Social Security Benefit Decision: So you've received your decision on how much you'll be paid by Social Security, but don't agree? You can appeal. Investopedia, June 15.

👵 The 'Laid-Back' Retirement Era Has Ended. Just Ask These Busy Grandparents: Many U.S. grandparents are now providing daily childcare that creates a physical and emotional strain for some seniors. USA Today, June 15

💼 Planning To Work in Retirement? Don't Count on It: Most American workers expect to keep earning after they retire, yet only about a third actually do, a long-standing gap driven by unexpected retirements, health issues, downsizing and the difficulty older adults face finding new jobs. USA Today, 6/20.

That’s it for today. Go make some plans — and remember, fair food calories do not count when eaten near a Ferris wheel.

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The Monmouth Senior Scoop team

Disclaimer: Information is provided for general informational purposes only and is not intended as medical, legal or financial advice. Event details may change, so confirm with the organizer before heading out.