The Monmouth Senior Scoop: News & Events for Local Seniors

Welcome to the Monmouth Senior Scoop — your weekly dose of local news, fun events, and good things happening around the county.

🧓 Older Adults Resource Fair
🧪 Quest’s new AI lab tool
🚗 Local events & fun
🗞️ Prime Time News
✈️ Travel briefs & deals
🌳 Park picks
🐣 Easter dessert fun
📚 Library happenings
📺 What to watch
🍕 One last thing

Up first…

Need help navigating senior services? Mark this one down.
Monmouth County is hosting its 2026 Older Adults Resource Fair on Wednesday, March 25, from 2 to 5 p.m. at Monmouth County Library Headquarters, 125 Symmes Drive in Manalapan.

The fair is designed to connect older adults and caregivers with helpful local programs and services all in one place. Attendees will be able to speak with representatives from local agencies and get information on benefits screening, healthcare, home care, nutrition programs, social activities, utility assistance, and more.

Commissioner Director Thomas A. Arnone said the event gives seniors a chance to learn more about the many resources available through the county, while Commissioner Susan M. Kiley, liaison to the Division on Aging, Disabilities and Veterans Services, said guests can expect guidance and support on a wide range of services.

Those planning to attend are encouraged to preregister by calling 732-431-7450.

For more information about the Monmouth County Division on Aging, Disabilities and Veterans Services, visit monmouthadvs.com.

Trying to decode your bloodwork without falling into an internet rabbit hole? Quest Diagnostics has rolled out a new feature called Quest AI Companion, and it’s designed to help adults understand their lab results in plain English — right inside the company’s free, secure MyQuest app and patient portal.

Here’s the big draw: the tool can analyze up to five years of your Quest lab data to spot patterns, explain what terms mean, flag trends you may want to ask about, and even help you come up with questions for your doctor. In other words, it’s like having a translator for all those mysterious numbers and abbreviations.

Quest says the tool is built right into its HIPAA-compliant system, so patients don’t have to copy and paste private health info into a public AI chatbot. It’s powered by Google’s Gemini models, but Quest is making it very clear this is not a doctor replacement. It’s for education only, and users should still talk with their healthcare provider about symptoms, treatment, and what those results actually mean.

Bottom line: for anyone who’s ever stared at a lab report and thought, “Well… that can’t be good,” this could make those results a whole lot easier to understand.

🍀 Irish songs, stories and a little nostalgia
Head to Monmouth County Library HQ in Manalapan on Thursday, March 19 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. for Irish Songs and Stories, featuring the Sons of Wexford, the Doyle family band. Expect Irish folk favorites, lesser-known ballads, and the stories behind the songs. 125 Symmes Drive, Manalapan.

🫖 Tea time in Red Bank
Social Graces Tea Services is serving up a cozy afternoon on Wednesday, March 18 from 2 to 4 p.m. at Oasis TLC in Red Bank. Reservations are required for this farm-fresh tea service in the historic tea room. 89 Sleepy Hollow Road, Red Bank.

🎱 Bingo, but with mead
Looking for a midweek outing? Beach Bee Meadery in Long Branch is hosting Bingo Night on Wednesday, March 18 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Come for the games, stay for the laughs and the mead. 89 Long Branch Ave., Long Branch.

🎭 Two big musicals hit the stage
Theater fans have options this week. Jesus Christ Superstar opens at Spring Lake Theatre with shows beginning Thursday, March 19 and running through March 29. Over in Manasquan, 9 to 5: The Musical opens at Algonquin Arts Theatre on Friday, March 20 and runs through March 29. Dolly fans, this one’s calling your name.

✌️ Woodstock rolls into Holmdel
Dust off the tie-dye. Back to the Garden 1969: The Woodstock Experience comes to the Bell Theater in Holmdel on Saturday, March 21 at 8 p.m. Expect the music, the stories, the visuals, and all the peace-and-love vibes. 101 Crawfords Corner Road, Holmdel.

🥕 Sunday market run
The Winter Fresh Farmers Market returns to Ocean Grove on Sunday, March 22 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. This indoor, food-only market is a nice excuse to stock up on local goodies without freezing in a parking lot. 66 S. Main St., Ocean Grove.

☘️ Highlands St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Bagpipes, marching bands, floats, and plenty of Irish cheer take over Bay Avenue on Saturday, March 21 at 2 p.m. One of the Shore’s liveliest St. Patrick’s celebrations is back.
📍Highlands

🎶 Joy Clark at the Jersey Shore Arts Center
The Split Level Concert series continues with singer-songwriter Joy Clark on Saturday, March 21 at the historic Palaia Theater in Ocean Grove.
📍Jersey Shore Arts Center, Ocean Grove

🎬 Garden State Film Festival
Indie films, panels, and celebrity appearances take over Asbury Park from Thursday, March 26 through Sunday, March 29 for four days of movie-loving fun.
📍Asbury Park Info

The Monmouth County Park System’s Spring Craft Show lands at the Fort Monmouth Recreation Center, 2566 Guam Lane, Tinton Falls, on Saturday, March 28 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. You’ll find birdhouses, jewelry, pottery, sea glass art, soaps, greeting cards, home décor, pet items and plenty more from local artists and crafters. It’s the perfect excuse to browse for a Mother’s Day gift and accidentally treat yourself too. Admission and parking are free. Details: MonmouthCountyParks.com or 732-842-4000.

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

Challenging Your Brain Helps Keep It Healthy. Here’s How to Do It: “Exercise your brain,” experts advise people hoping to stave off dementia. But how? Stretch your brain and your thinking. Associated Press, March 9.

Many Seniors Gain Physical, Mental Fitness As They Age, Study Finds: A new study suggests that seniors can – and often do – improve over time, with the right mindset. HealthDay News, March 9.

How to Protect Yourself from Financial Scams Targeting Older Adults: Americans over 60 are losing billions of dollars to fraud, a far bigger threat than physical crime. Wall Street Journal, March 11.

Traveling With Disabilities Is Often Hard. These Tools Can Help: Three apps and one website help travelers with a variety of disabilities identify potential obstacles, get audio descriptions in 185 languages and book custom trips. The New York Times, March 14.

If the Galápagos Islands have been living on your someday list, here’s your nudge: Celebrity Cruises just opened bookings for its 2028 Galápagos expeditions aboard the 100-passenger Celebrity Flora.

The all-inclusive trips range from seven to 16 nights and include the kind of wow-factor outings that make regular vacations look lazy — think sea lions, sea turtles, giant tortoises, volcanic coastlines, and expert-led island tours with Galápagos National Park naturalists.

Bonus: guests can also take part in Celebrity’s Rewilding Galápagos effort by planting native trees to help restore wildlife habitat. Info

Celebrity Cruises is diving into the river cruise world with a new lineup of destination experiences designed to help travelers connect more deeply with Europe’s cities and culture. The program — rolling out across Celebrity River Cruises sailings in 2027 and 2028 — features four different ways to explore each stop.

• Storyteller Series: Local residents, artists, and cultural insiders guide guests through their cities, sharing stories and hidden spots most visitors never see.
• Skillmaster Series: Hands-on experiences where guests cook, paint, and learn traditional crafts alongside local experts.
• Keys to the City: A tech-powered exploration tool that lets travelers follow customized routes for art, history, food, and architecture — with behind-the-scenes access along the way.
• Celebrity Takeover: Once-per-sailing bucket-list events that turn iconic locations into exclusive private experiences for cruise guests.

Travelers can also add multi-day pre- or post-cruise stays in Prague, Budapest, and Amsterdam, complete with small-group tours and concierge service.

📅 Sailings and experiences begin in 2027, with bookings opening soon.

🔗 Learn more: celebritycruises.com/river

Planning a Myrtle Beach getaway? A new “Make More Myrtle Moments” deal is giving travelers a little bonus time at the shore. At participating properties, you can get one free night when you book three or two free nights when you book five — not bad for a spring or summer escape.

The promotion is available for bookings throughout 2026 and covers more than 45 lodging properties across Myrtle Beach and the Grand Strand, home to 60 miles of coastline and plenty of family-friendly fun. Travel is valid now through Dec. 31, 2026.

Beyond the beach, Myrtle is pitching the full package: golf, live entertainment, coastal Carolina food, festivals, art walks, and lots of free ways to fill a day without draining your wallet. Check participating hotels and deals here: VisitMyrtleBeach.com/deal

Walt Disney World is gearing up for a “Cool KIDS’ SUMMER” celebration running May 26 through Sept. 8, with new shows, refreshed attractions, character experiences and travel deals aimed at families planning summer trips.

Some of the highlights:
• Bluey’s Wild World arrives at Animal Kingdom on May 26, where kids can play games, dance and meet Bluey and Bingo.
• A new Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! stage show also debuts May 26 at Hollywood Studios.
• Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin reopens April 8 at Magic Kingdom with new targets, effects and interactive gameplay.
• Soarin’ Across America returns to EPCOT on May 26 with updated scenes celebrating the U.S. ahead of the country’s 250th anniversary.
• A new Mandalorian and Grogu mission is coming to Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run starting May 22.

There’s also plenty of summer-only fun, including Toy Story–themed shows, dance parties, water park character meet-ups and nighttime splash events at Typhoon Lagoon.

Disney is pairing the entertainment with several travel deals, including a 4-Day, 4-Park ticket starting around $109 per day, hotel discounts of up to 30%, and a free dining plan offer for select vacation packages.

🔗 Explore summer deals and details:
disneyworld.disney.go.com/special-offers/2026-summer-offers

The Monmouth County Park System has a good one-two punch this week: a little nature, a little history, and a chance to end the day staring up at the sky instead of your phone, all for FREE!

🦎 Meet Monmouth’s tiny mystery creatures. On Friday, March 20 from 7-8 p.m., the Freneau Woods Park Visitor Center in Aberdeen is hosting Nature Lecture: Salamanders of Monmouth County. A Park System Naturalist will talk all about these slippery little amphibians. Free.

🪚 See old-school craftsmanship in action. On Saturday, March 21 from 1-3 p.m., head to Historic Longstreet Farm in Holmdel for a 19th Century Woodworking Demonstration and watch a woodworker study his materials, work his tools, and turn them into something useful and handsome. Free.

🪗 Time-travel by accordion. Also on Saturday, March 21 from 1-3 p.m., Historic Longstreet Farm will be filled with Accordion Melodies of the 1890s during your visit. Because apparently even errands on the farm used to have a soundtrack. Free.

✨ Look up for once. On Saturday, March 21 from 9-10 p.m., Under the Spring Stars heads to Dorbrook Recreation Area in Colts Neck — use the soccer field parking lot. A guide will help you spot constellations and other night-sky standouts, which feels like a nice change from staring at your phone. Bring a camp chair or something to sit on, plus a flashlight for navigating in the dark. It may be canceled for cloudy skies or bad weather. All ages welcome; under 18 with an adult. Free.

🐦 Bird now, brunch later. Casual Birder takes flight on Tuesday, March 24 at 9 a.m. at Crosswicks Creek Park. Meet in the Province Line Road parking area in Allentown for a relaxed bird walk with a Park System Naturalist. Expect about 90 minutes of walking, around 2-4 miles, and terrain that could be uneven or muddy — so maybe skip the cute shoes. No birding expertise needed, and a limited number of binoculars will be available to borrow. Free.

The Easter Bunny is booked and busy this weekend in Monmouth County. Here are a few fun events where the grandkids can hunt for eggs and you can enjoy the photo ops (and sneak a few jellybeans!)

🐴 Easter Eggstravaganza — Howell
March 21, 22, 28 & 29; April 4
A full-on farm day at G&G Stables with an egg hunt, petting zoo, hayrides, barrel rides, games and more. Pony rides, face painting and food are available if the kids want to keep the fun going.
📍 49 Driftway Rd, Howell
💲 Adults $10 | Kids $15

🥚 Belmar Easter Egg Hunt — Beach Edition
March 21, 11 a.m.
More than 3,500 eggs hidden in the sand along the Belmar beachfront. Kids are grouped by age and the Easter Bunny makes an appearance.
📍 4th & 5th Aves and Ocean Ave, Belmar
☔ Rain date: March 28

🐰 Red Bank Spring Egg Hunt
March 22, 9 a.m.
Head to Count Basie Park for a classic community egg hunt and a chance to snap photos with the Easter Bunny before the action begins. Arrive early — the eggs don’t last long.
📍 11 Henry St, Red Bank

Looking for a fun dessert that’ll make the grandkids say “whoa!” when it hits the table? These PEEPS Puff Pastry Baskets might do the trick.

The cute little treats are made with flaky puff pastry, whipped cream, and fresh strawberries — then topped with colorful PEEPS Marshmallow Chicks to create mini Easter basket desserts that look like they came straight from a bakery window.

The best part? The recipe is surprisingly simple and comes together in about 25 minutes of prep, making it perfect for a quick holiday baking session with little helpers.

🥐 Get the recipe here:

The Monmouth County Library calendar is doing a little bit of everything this week — tax help, spring gardening, music, Medicare guidance, games, yarn, and a few programs that could genuinely make life easier.

💵 Tax help is back at two branches.
Need a hand with your return? AARP Tax-Aide is offering free in-person tax prep at the Eastern Branch in Shrewsbury through April 11 on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Appointments are recommended and can be made online here, or by calling 888-227-7669. Walk-ins may be available.
The Marlboro Branch is also offering free AARP Tax-Aide help for most federal and New Jersey returns on Thursday, March 19 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Appointments are preferred and can be made here. Limited walk-ins may be available before noon.

🀄 Game faces on in Holmdel.
At the Holmdel Branch, Thursday is Game Day, with player-led Mahjongg and Bridge from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. No registration required — just show up, grab a seat, and let the tiles or cards do the talking. First come, first seated.

🎶 Say goodbye to winter with a little harmony.
The Howell Branch is hosting Welcome Spring! Concert with RB Express on Thursday, March 19 from 2 to 3 p.m. Expect favorite songs from the ’50s through the ’90s and a lively afternoon of toe-tapping, hand-clapping fun.

🌱 Garden season starts now.
Also on Thursday, March 19, the Marlboro Branch is hosting Preparing for the Spring Vegetable Garden from 6 to 7 p.m. Local experts Ellen Simonetti and Bob Mellert will cover soil, weeds, seeds, cool-season planting, early bugs, and all those questions that pop up the minute you start thinking, “Maybe this is the year I finally grow tomatoes.” Registration is required.

📋 Planning ahead for loved ones.
At the Eastern Branch in Shrewsbury, a licensed elder care attorney will present How a Life Care Plan Can Ensure Your Loved Ones Are Cared For on Friday, March 20 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. The discussion will cover medical, financial, and personal care planning — and how families can get a little more clarity and peace of mind. Registration is required.

🧶 Needles up in Howell.
Kelly’s Knit and Crochet Circle meets Saturday, March 21 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Howell Branch. Beginners and pros are all welcome; just bring your own yarn and supplies.

💊 A wellness class with useful take-home info.
At the West Long Branch Branch, WISE: Wellness Initiative for Senior Education continues on Monday, March 23 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. This session focuses on Medication and the Older Adult and is open to anyone 60 and older. Registration is required.

🏥 Medicare questions? There’s help for that.
On Monday, March 23 from 2:30 to 4 p.m., Library Headquarters in Manalapan will offer One-on-One SHIP Q&A on a first come, first served basis. This free service gives Medicare beneficiaries, caregivers, and families confidential, unbiased help understanding coverage and options. No registration needed; walk-ins are welcome.

💙 Support and connection in Manalapan.
The Lost and Found Bereavement Support Group meets in person at Library Headquarters in Manalapan on Wednesday, March 25 from 6:45 to 8 p.m. The group offers a supportive space for those navigating the loss of a loved one. No registration is required.

Your couch has a busy week ahead. Cillian Murphy is back as Tommy Shelby in the new “Peaky Blinders” movie, The Immortal Man, hitting Netflix on Friday, March 20 — so yes, the flat cap can come back out. Also landing Friday: “Is This Thing On?” on Hulu, with Bradley Cooper directing a divorce-meets-stand-up story starring Will Arnett and Laura Dern, and “Wicked: For Good” on Peacock, for anyone ready to head back to Oz.

On the series side, Apple TV+ debuts “Imperfect Women” on Wednesday with Elisabeth Moss, Kerry Washington and Kate Mara in a friendship-gone-sideways thriller. Prime Video brings back the awkward brilliance of “Jury Duty” with “Company Retreat,” where one unsuspecting employee is the only person not in on the joke. Over on BritBox, “The Lady” dramatizes the wild real-life story of Jane Andrews, the former dresser to Sarah Ferguson. And for the Hallmark crowd, “Hope Valley: 1874” arrives Saturday on Hallmark+ with a frontier romance setup that sounds very on-brand.

Then on Sunday, March 22, Lisa Kudrow returns as Valerie Cherish for the third and final season of “The Comeback” on HBO Max — this time in a Hollywood world where her new TV show is written by AI. Because apparently even fictional showbiz can’t escape it.

First up, a local birthday shoutout to Susan H. of Rumson — hope your day is filled with sunshine and cake! 🎉

Now for a few other famous people celebrating: March 19 brings birthdays for Ruth Pointer of the Pointer Sisters (80), the incomparable Glenn Close (79), and action legend Bruce Willis (71). On March 20, TV favorite Hal Linden reaches a remarkable 95, while director Spike Lee turns 69, Oscar winner Holly Hunter celebrates 68, and model-turned-business powerhouse Kathy Ireland marks 63. Then on March 21, former James Bond Timothy Dalton hits 80, acclaimed actor Gary Oldman turns 68, Matthew Broderick celebrates 64, and comedian and talk-show host Rosie O’Donnell also hits 64.

🍕 Jon Stewart — comedian, writer, activist, and longtime host of The Daily Show — stopped by Brooklyn Square Pizza’s new Shrewsbury location on Friday, and owner Peter Grippo told media outlets the guy was exactly what you’d hope: funny, patient, humble, and waited in line like everybody else.

And for anyone not already in the know, Brooklyn Square Pizza is a full-on Jersey favorite known for its upside-down square pies, sesame-seed-crust rounds, and very loyal fan base. The Shrewsbury shop is the brand’s newest location at 1026 Broad Street, joining spots in Jackson, Manalapan, Toms River, and Bradley Beach, with Marlboro next in line.

So shoutout to Stewart for popping in and giving a little extra love to a hometown pizza place that’s already got plenty of buzz. That’s Jersey supporting Jersey — with extra cheese!

⁉️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: Events can change faster than the Jersey Shore weather forecast. Times shift, tickets sell out, rain dates happen, and occasionally the Easter Bunny runs late. So before you head out, it’s always a good idea to double-check the event website or social pages for the latest updates. And while we do our best to keep everything accurate, this newsletter is for informational and entertainment purposes only — not legal, medical, financial, or pizza-topping advice. Now go enjoy the week. And if you discover something fun we missed… tell us!