Ocean Senior Scoop: Starry Skies, Big Bird & Bingo Nights

This week’s Scoop is packed with winter adventures you can enjoy without freezing your toes off — from live bluegrass in Waretown to relaxed planetarium shows with Big Bird and Elmo. We’ve got wedding expos, karaoke nights, retro dinner shows, and travel updates (including a TSA backup plan that’ll cost you $45 but might save your flight).

Plus: a game day recipe that’s big on flavor, not effort — and a spam-fighting tech tip that’s just one switch away.

Let’s dive in...

🛂 TSA’s $45 Backup Plan – No Real ID? Here’s how to (maybe) still make your flight
🎟️ Out & About – Fishing markets, folk music, tea pairings, bingo, stargazing & rockabilly throwbacks
🌲 In the Parks – Winter walks and animal tracking with Ocean County naturalists
👧 Take the Grandkids – Blast off with Big Bird in a family‑friendly planetarium show
🚗 Day Trippin’ – NJ’s biggest wedding expo + Romeo & Juliet under the Red Bank spotlight
📚 Beyond the Books – Mystery authors, seed sowing & medication safety at the library
📖 More Library Events – Crafts, balance tips, blood drives, vision boards & karaoke
🧁 In the Kitchen – Easy Salami Sliders, the ultimate game‑day win
📱 Tech Tip – Less spam, fewer scams, one simple setting
🛥️ Wanderlust Weekly – Festival cruises, immersive excursions & better airline meals
🎂 Celebrity Birthdays – Neil Diamond, Geena Davis, Steve Perry & more

Up first…

As the nation gears up to celebrate its 250th birthday, Ocean County is stepping into the spotlight! The county has officially launched Ocean250.org — a brand-new website packed with local Revolutionary War history, upcoming events, and ways to get involved in the America 250 semiquincentennial celebration.

Led by the Ocean County Cultural and Heritage Commission, this site is your go-to hub for:

“Ocean County’s history is deeply connected to the founding of our nation,” said Commissioner Robert Arace. “This initiative brings that story to life for residents of all ages.”

Ready to dig into local Revolutionary roots and see how Ocean County helped shape America?
🧭 Explore now: www.ocean250.org

Starting February 1, 2026, TSA is rolling out a new option for travelers who show up to the airport without a REAL ID or valid ID: TSA ConfirmID — a $45 fee-based service that could save your travel day (but not your time or your wallet).

Here’s how it works:

✅ Step 1: Check your ID now. REAL ID or passport? You’re golden.
❌ No REAL ID? Head to tsa.gov/ConfirmID before your flight to pay the $45 fee and get a receipt via email.
📱 Step 3: Bring that receipt (print or screenshot) and any government-issued ID to the checkpoint.

Heads-up: This is not a free pass. Expect extra screening, potential delays of up to 30 minutes, and no guarantee you’ll make your flight if you wait until the last minute.

Best bet? Get your REAL ID now and skip the stress. Visit tsa.gov/real-id to see what you need. Questions? Text 275-872 ("AskTSA") or call 866-289-9673.

Get ready for an action-packed weekend full of toe-tapping tunes, sky-gazing, vintage vibes, and a touch of tea and trivia. Whether you're feeling low-key or lively, there’s something to circle on your calendar:

🎣 American Angler Fishing Flea Market
📍 Barnegat | Jan. 24, 9 AM–1 PM
Fish tales, gear deals, and bait banter await at this popular flea market at American Legion Post 232. It’s a reel good time for anglers of all ages.

🌿 Cattus Island Nature Walks
📍 Toms River | Jan. 24 & 25, 2–3 PM
Explore the great outdoors on this Ocean County tradition. Follow a naturalist through the woods, spot animal tracks, and learn from the legends. Free and no registration needed! Info

🎻 Albert Music Hall – Saturday Night Show
📍 Waretown | Jan. 24, Doors at 5:30 PM, Music 6:30–9 PM
The stage lights up every Saturday with five live bands playing bluegrass, folk, and Americana tunes. Snack bar, gift shop, 50/50, and a whole lotta local charm—just $6 at the door (cash only!). More info

🎤 Bingo/Singo at Riverside Tavern
📍 Beachwood | Jan. 24, 6:30–8:30 PM
It’s bingo, it’s singo, it’s prizes all around! Test your luck, sing along, and maybe take home the grand prize. Plus: pub eats and drinks on hand. Info

🍽️ Tea & Tastes: Elegant Evening of Food Pairings
📍 Mathis House, Toms River | Jan. 24, 7 PM
Step up your sip game at this tea-infused evening of perfectly paired bites. Tickets are $42 (+tax & gratuity). Info

🌌 Wonders of the Seasonal Sky
📍 Novins Planetarium, Toms River | Jan. 24, 7 PM
Look up! This live presentation tours the current night sky over NJ—constellations, planets, mythology and more. Great for grades 6+ and sky-curious adults. booking.ocean.edu

🎸 1950s Rockabilly Dinner Show
📍 Mathis House, Toms River | Jan. 30, 7 PM
Slip into your poodle skirt or cuffed jeans and enjoy dinner and dancing with a retro twist. Live rockabilly hits, comfort food, and full-on nostalgia. $50 per person (seniors get 10% off!). BYOB. Info

💍 Jan. 25: NJ’s Biggest Winter Wedding Expo
📍 Ocean Place Resort & Spa, Long Branch
Got a granddaughter who got engaged over the holidays? Treat her to the ultimate bridal bash! This is New Jersey’s largest winter wedding expo, with everything from gowns and giveaways to DJs, décor, and cake samples galore.
👉 Event details & free tickets

🎼 Jan. 31: Romeo & Juliet with the NJ Symphony
📍 Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre, Red Bank | 7:30–10 p.m.
Experience Shakespeare’s most iconic romance in musical form, as the New Jersey Symphony performs Tchaikovsky’s and Prokofiev’s dramatic masterpieces—joined by the Shakespeare Theatre of NJ for an unforgettable night of love, loss, and lush orchestration.
👉 Get tickets

🌟 Big Bird, Elmo & a Sky Full of Stars

Blast off with Big Bird and Elmo in One World, One Sky: Big Bird’s Adventure—a 25-minute fulldome film perfect for curious little minds (PreK–1st grade, but older kids will love it too!). Join everyone’s favorite fuzzy friends as they explore the Big Dipper, North Star, Sun, and Moon in this gentle, starry-eyed show created in partnership with the Liberty Science Center.

📍 Robert J. Novins Planetarium, Ocean County College, Toms River
🗓️ Jan. 24 at 12:30 PM
🎟️ Tickets required for ages 3+ | booking.ocean.edu

Snuggle in, look up, and get ready for an interstellar adventure—Big Bird style. 🌙💫

Ocean County’s libraries are cooking up more than late fees and quiet corners. This week, it’s all about suspenseful reads, early garden dreams, and smart medication habits—because lifelong learning doesn’t stop when the thermometer dips.

🕵️‍♀️ Secrets & Second Chances
📍 Virtual | Jan. 28, 7 PM
Author alert! Join New York Times bestseller Liz Moore for a virtual talk about The God of the Woods—a chilling mystery set at a 1970s summer camp where one Van Laar child has gone missing… again. NPR called it one of their “Books We Love,” and you’ll see why. Registration required: tinyurl.com/LizMooreOCL
📚 Want to read it first? Borrow it free at tinyurl.com/MooreWoodsOCL

🌱 Winter Seed Sowing with a Master Gardener
📍 Jackson Branch | Jan. 28, 2:30 PM
Cold outside? Perfect time to start planning your spring garden! Learn how to sow seeds now and reap the blooms later with tips from a Rutgers-trained Master Gardener. From composting to pruning, they’ll help your green thumb thrive. Register at tinyurl.com/SeedJackson

💊 Medication Safety 101
📍 LBI Branch, Surf City | Jan. 27, 2 PM
Ever wonder what to really do with those leftover pills in your cabinet? The Long Beach Island Health Department has answers. Learn how to safely store, administer, and dispose of medications at this important community health talk. Bonus: it’s the first in a monthly series! Register at tinyurl.com/MedicationLBI.

🧍‍♀️ A Matter of Balance
📍 Upper Shores Branch | Jan. 22, 2–3 PM
Falls are no joke—especially as we age. Learn what throws off your balance, how to reduce risks, and the simple ways you can make your home safer. Presented by Hackensack Meridian Health.

🧶 Hooked on Yarn: Knitting & Crocheting Group
📍 Manchester Branch | Jan. 22, 2–4 PM
Got needles, yarn, and a work-in-progress? Bring ’em! Whether you're a pro or a newbie, you’ll find fellow fiber fans here.

🎨 Mindful Art for Adults
📍 Stafford Branch | Jan. 22, 2:30–4 PM
Let go of stress and let your creativity flow in this relaxing art session. All materials provided, but please register to save your seat.

🩸 American Red Cross Blood Drive
📍 Berkeley Branch | Jan. 23, 10:30 AM–3:30 PM
Give a little, help a lot. Donating blood is one of the easiest ways to do good. Walk-ins welcome, or make an appointment at redcrossblood.org.

🧘 Learn About Self-Care
📍 Toms River Branch | Jan. 23, 2–3 PM
What is self-care, anyway? Learn some simple ways to prioritize your wellness this winter. Registration encouraged.

🧵 Waretown Woolies Knitting Club
📍 Waretown Branch | Jan. 26, 1–3 PM
Needles, yarn, good vibes—what more do you need? Drop in to stitch, swap tips, and meet fellow fiber friends.

🖼️ Your Vision, Your Vibe: Vision Board Workshop
📍 Manchester Branch | Jan. 26, 2–3 PM
Grab the scissors and manifest your year! This fun hands-on workshop is all about creating a personal vision board with goals, dreams, and good energy. Supplies provided—just bring the vibe. Register early, space is limited!

🎤 Golden Grooves Karaoke (Senior Social!)
📍 Waretown Branch | Jan. 26, 6–8 PM
Ready to channel your inner Sinatra or Cher? Whether you’re singing or cheering from the sidelines, this fun-filled senior night will have you smiling (and maybe even dancing). Light snacks included!

🗺️ Crafting with Maps
📍 Toms River Branch | Jan. 28, 6:30–8 PM
Old maps + new ideas = crafty gold. Come upcycle some nostalgia into something beautiful. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library – Toms River.

If spicy dips and messy wings feel like too much work for your next game day party, try this quick and crowd-pleasing alternative: Simple Salami Sliders. These bite-sized sandwiches are the perfect game day snack, made with just a few everyday ingredients and minimal prep—so you can focus on cheering, not cooking. Whether you're tailgating, homegating, or hosting a Super Bowl bash, these sliders are a surefire hit at kickoff.

👉 Find the full Simple Salami Sliders recipe and more easy game day food ideas at Culinary.net.

Tired of shady texts and spammy links? Your phone can help — if you flip one simple switch.

On iPhone:
Go to Settings > Messages and turn on “Filter Unknown Senders.” It’ll move messages from strangers into a separate folder (no more annoying pings!).

On Android:
Open Messages > Settings > Spam Protection and turn on “Enable spam protection.” Suspicious messages go straight to the spam folder.

🛡️ This is a great way to avoid accidentally clicking on dangerous links — and it keeps your inbox cleaner, too.

Ocean's 18 Mini Golf & Bar just teed off inside Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City—marking the first-ever mini golf course in an AC casino. Spanning 8,000 square feet over two levels, this multi-million-dollar entertainment spot offers two 9-hole courses, a full-service bar, and immersive HYPERVSN hologram tech (yes, including a 12-foot Great White Shark). Open Wednesday–Monday with family-friendly vibes by day and a 21+ sports bar after 9 p.m. ⛳🐟 Learn more: Ocean Casino Resort

Two-time GRAMMY® winner Michelle Cann brings her brilliance to Princeton Symphony Orchestra next month with a powerful performance of Grieg’s Piano Concerto in A Minor. Known for championing composer Florence Price, Cann will perform alongside PSO Assistant Conductor Kenneth T. Bean at Richardson Auditorium on Feb. 7 & 8.

🎶 The program also features:

💬 Bonus: A special pre-concert talk with Cann and Bean happens Feb. 8 at 3 PM — free for Sunday ticket holders.

🎟️ Tickets start at $40, with 50% off for kids 5–17 when accompanied by an adult.

More info: princetonsymphony.org or call 609-497-0020.

Just because it’s cold out doesn’t mean the fun’s on ice. January may be brisk, but it’s bursting with ways to keep the grandkids smiling (and moving!). Whether you’ve got a future hockey star, a junior paleontologist, or just a restless crew in need of a winter outing, we’ve rounded up some easy, memory-making escapes to enjoy together across the Garden State.

⛸️ Glide, Slide & Snow Play
Lace up for ice skating at indoor and outdoor rinks across NJ — from American Dream to waterfront skates in Jersey City. Bonus: American Dream is also home to BIG SNOW, North America’s only indoor, real-snow ski and tubing park. Winter thrills, no frostbite required.

🏒 Cheer on the NJ Devils
Treat the kids (and yourself) to a fast-paced night of NHL action at the Prudential Center in Newark. February home games mean big energy, loud cheers, and memories that beat another movie night.

🦖 Dino-Mite Day Trip
Head to the Edelman Fossil Park & Museum in Mantua, where kids can see real fossils, meet live animals, and watch scientists at work on active digs. Mosasaurs the size of buses? Yep. This one’s a guaranteed wow.

🎿 Ski, Tube & Stay Cozy
Make it a winter getaway at Mountain Creek in Vernon. Snow tubing and skiing by day, then warm up at The Appalachian Hotel with fireplaces, mountain views, and plenty of space for the whole crew.

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

The New Old Age: More than a century’s worth of scientific and social progress means that most of us are now more productive and more useful to society for far longer than in the past. Time, Jan. 13

3 Policy Moves Likely to Change Health Care for Older People: Two regulatory rollbacks, along with a new A.I. experiment in Medicare, raise some worrisome questions. The New York Times, Jan. 17

The Retirement Crisis No One Warns You About: Mattering: Many of us plan for our future wealth and health. Few prepare for an equally essential aspect of retirement: how to continue to feel seen and valued. Wall Street Journal, Jan. 16

Bye-Bye, Snowbirds: Wealthy Americans Are Relocating Permanently for Retirement — and This Financial Adviser Can't Fault Their Logic: Why head south for the winter and pay for two properties when you can have a better lifestyle year-round in a less expensive state? Permanent relocation is a much savvier retirement strategy, as this financial adviser explains. Kiplinger, Jan. 16

Dreaming of taking a trip? See what’s new in travel this week.

🚢 Celebrity Cruises is turning sea days into cultural festivals aboard the new Celebrity Xcel, setting sail in Europe starting May 2026. At the heart of the experience is The Bazaar, a vibrant, multi-sensory venue featuring four Mediterranean-inspired festivals: Opa! (Greek music, baklava, evil-eye crafts), La Dolce Vita (tiramisu-making and Venetian flair), Salud (sangria, flamenco dancers, Spanish fans), and Silk & Spice (Moroccan tea, Turkish delight, and whirling dervishes). Add in cooking classes at Chef’s Studio, open-air bites at Spice Café, artisan markets, and ports like Santorini, Florence, Mykonos, and Madeira, and you’ve got a vacation that doesn’t stop at the shoreline. 👉 Explore Celebrity Xcel

⚓ Holland America Line is ditching the cookie-cutter shore excursions with two new experience-driven programs: Meet the Makers and Community Connections. These immersive tours let guests press olive oil with a Greek farming family, sip cider with Tasmanian artisans, or cook Irish stew in the cozy kitchen of a Cobh couple. You can paddle a Māori waka (canoe) in New Zealand or learn Syrtaki dancing on a vineyard—all while supporting local communities and craftspeople. More than 150 new excursions are available across global itineraries, designed to forge meaningful cultural connections while you travel. 👉 See Holland America’s immersive tours

✈️ United Airlines just made it easier to eat well in Economy with fresh meal preorders now available on flights over 1,190 miles across North America and the Caribbean. Starting March 1, 2026, travelers can order entrees like the Steakhouse Burger, Tacos Al Pastor, Cheese & Fruit Tray, and Everything Bagel Dots through united.com or the United app five days to 24 hours before takeoff. This new system ensures you get the meal you want (no more “sorry, we’re out”) while helping United reduce food waste by more than 100,000 pounds annually. 👉 Preorder your next United meal

No local birthdays sent in this week 🥺but these celebs are turning up the candles…

🎂 Jan. 21: Opera legend Plácido Domingo hits 85, L.A. Law’s Jill Eikenberry turns 79, and Oscar winner Geena Davis celebrates 70.
🎸 Jan. 22: Rock icon Steve Perry (Journey) turns 77, Linda Blair (yes, The Exorcist) is 67, and both DJ Jazzy Jeff and Diane Lane turn 61 — plus Guy Fieri, still the Mayor of Flavortown, is 58.
🎤 Jan. 24: Sweet Caroline himself, Neil Diamond, turns 85!

Whether you’re pickleballing, putt-putting, or just putting your feet up, here’s to finding a little local joy this week. We’ll be back soon with more finds, eats, events, and Jersey gems.

Stay warm, stay curious — and if you see a 12-foot shark at a bar, don’t panic… it’s just a hologram. 🦈😉

Until next time,
— The Ocean Senior Scoop Team

📰 A publication of Better With Age NJ

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

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📝 Disclaimer: The Ocean Senior Scoop is here to inform, entertain, and maybe make you chuckle—but we’re not doctors, lawyers, or travel agents (just really enthusiastic newsletter people). Always double-check event times, ticket info, and weather forecasts before heading out. Consult actual professionals for anything involving your health, your money, or your boarding pass. We do our best to keep things accurate, timely, and typo-free—but hey, if we ever say Neil Diamond is 58, blame the autocorrect. 😅 Now back to your regularly scheduled crafts, concerts, and cosmic adventures!