Ocean Senior Scoop: Valentine’s Weekend Plans + Library Life

Hi Ocean County! 👋
Valentine’s Day is landing with options — the sweet kind (cake decorating), the fancy kind (steak + live music), the “let’s solve a crime” kind (murder mystery dinner), and the “I’m just here for the chocolate and the wine” kind (no judgment, ever). Plus, there’s a LOT happening at Ocean County libraries — wellness screenings, heart health talks, tech help, and a few cozy programs that don’t require shoveling anything. Let’s dive in!

👀What’s on tap this week:

💘 Valentine’s Weekend Plans (cake, steak, shows, wine + chocolate, bake sale + more)
📚 Beyond the Books (Ocean County Library highlights)
🧾 Tax Help This Week (AARP Tax-Aide — appointment required)
❤️ Heart Month Check-In (talks + screenings)
📱 Tech Help Tuesday (one-on-one help at the library)

Up first…

For more on these events, visit the Ocean County Tourism website.

See what’s happening at Ocean County’s libraries.

Know Your Numbers (Free Wellness Screening)
Swing by the Brick Branch for a quick check-in with a registered nurse from Hackensack Meridian Health — Friday, Feb. 13, 1–3 p.m. at 301 Chambers Bridge Road, Brick. Screenings include blood pressure, pulse, cholesterol, blood sugar, BMI, and stroke risk (no fasting, no appointment, no stress). Info: 732-477-4513.

Calling All Artists (and Collectors, and Crafty People) 🎨
Want your work on the wall (or your collection in the case)? The Long Beach Island Branch is looking for local artists and hobbyists to display items in the meeting room and lobby case — first come, first served. Reach branch manager Laurence Krupinski at [email protected] or 609-494-2480.

Lunar New Year Lion Dance = Instant Joy 🧧🦁
Bring your inner noisemaker: the South Jersey Lion Dance Troupe performs at the Waretown Branch on Saturday, Feb. 14 at 11:30 a.m. (112 Main Street, Waretown). Learn the history, catch a performance, and yes — you might even learn a few moves. Registration required: tinyurl.com/WaretownLunar or 609-693-5133.

Point Pleasant Borough Branch: Temporary Closure Update ⚠️
The Point Pleasant Borough Branch is closed for building maintenance after water damage was found. Holds will be transferred to the Point Pleasant Beach Branch (710 McLean Ave.) starting Wednesday, Jan. 28. Need your items sent somewhere else? Call 732-349-6200. The book drop stays open, programs are canceled during the closure, and loan due dates for Chromebooks/hotspots/Launchpads will be adjusted.

Presidents’ Day Closure (Plan Accordingly!) 🇺🇸
All Ocean County Library branches and reading centers will be closed Monday, Feb. 16. Regular hours resume Tuesday, Feb. 17 — and digital goodies are always open at theoceancountylibrary.org.

Harriet Tubman: Tales from the Cape 🎭
History, storytelling, and New Jersey connections—this one’s a can’t-miss. Join motivational storyteller Michelle Washington Wilson at the Upper Shores Branch for “Harriet Tubman: Tales from the Cape” on Wednesday, Feb. 18 at 6:30 p.m. (112 Jersey City Ave., Lavallette). Registration required: tinyurl.com/TubmanOCL, 732-793-3996.

Heart Health Bingo (Yes, There Are Prizes) ❤️
Play, learn, and maybe leave with a new gadget. “Heart Health Bingo” hits the Long Beach Island Branch on Tuesday, Feb. 24 at 2 p.m. (217 S. Central Ave., Surf City). Prizes may include a pulse oximeter, scale, or blood pressure machine. Registration required (opens Feb. 3): tinyurl.com/HeartBingoLBI or 609-494-2480.

Speed Friending for Seniors 👋
New friends, short chats, zero awkward “So… what do you do?” energy (okay, less of it). Tuesday, March 3 at 2 p.m. at the Stafford Branch (129 N. Main Street, Manahawkin). The library provides conversation starters and light refreshments. Registration required: tinyurl.com/StaffordFriending or 609-597-3381.

AARP Tax-Aide (Free Tax Help — Appointment Required)
Need a hand with your return? Thursday, Feb. 12, 9:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. at the Jackson Branch (Jackson Meeting Room). No age requirement, but you do need an appointment. Bring: prior-year return(s), photo ID, Social Security or ITIN card, and all tax documents. Book: 732-440-9356.

Coffee & Coloring (Low-Key, High-Cozy) ☕🖍️
Color, sip, exhale. Thursday, Feb. 12, 3–4:30 p.m. at the Brick Branch (Brick Meeting Room). Supplies provided (bring your favorites if you want). Light refreshments + soothing music. Heads up: potential allergens—tell staff about food allergies.

SPEAK OUT!® (Parkinson Voice Project)
A supportive program to strengthen communication skills for people with Parkinson’s and other neurological disorders. Friday, Feb. 13, 10–11 a.m. at the Stafford Branch (Stafford Meeting Room). Meets the 2nd Friday of the month; new members welcome. Register: 609-488-2650.

Heart Healthy 101 (Ocean County Health Dept.) ❤️
Straight talk on heart disease, risk factors, prevention, and the “numbers” that matter (blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar). Friday, Feb. 13, 11 a.m.–12 p.m. at the Barnegat Branch (Barnegat Meeting Room).

Wellness Screenings (Drop-In, Know Your Numbers)
Quick, free check-in with a nurse from Hackensack Meridian Health: blood pressure, pulse, cholesterol, blood sugar, BMI, stroke risk (no fasting). Friday, Feb. 13, 1–3 p.m. at the Brick Branch (Brick Meeting Room).

Tech Help Tuesday (One-on-One Help) 📱💻
Bring your phone/tablet questions — or finally tame your email. Tuesday, Feb. 17, 1:30–3:30 p.m. at the Waretown Branch. Registration required: 609-693-5133.

Heart Health: Men vs. Women 💘
February is Heart Month — learn how symptoms, risks, and treatment can differ for women and men. Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2–3 p.m. at the Brick Branch (Brick Meeting Room). Presented by Hackensack Meridian Health.

Blending Fun with Amy: Soups (Plus Samples!) 🥣
Soup season gets a blender upgrade. Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2–3 p.m. at the Tuckerton Branch (Tuckerton Meeting Room). Adults; registration required. Samples + recipes. Potential allergen.

Culinary Enthusiasts Club (Talk Food, Trade Tips) 🍽️
Monthly meetup for people who love to cook, eat, and swap restaurant/recipe recommendations (sometimes with bites to try). Wednesday, Feb. 18, 1–3 p.m. at the Barnegat Branch (Barnegat Meeting Room).

Huntington’s Disease Support Group (Drop-In)
Volunteer-led support for individuals with Huntington’s, caregivers, family, friends — and anyone who wants to learn more. Wednesday, Feb. 18, 6:30–7:30 p.m. at the Stafford Branch (Stafford Meeting Room). Drop-in. (Meets the 3rd Wednesday each month.)

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

🩺 New Cholesterol Pill Could Be a Game-Changer
A new experimental pill is showing big results in reducing artery-clogging cholesterol—even for patients already on statins. Could this be the next breakthrough in heart health?
Associated Press, Feb. 4

🎶 How Music Rewires the Aging Mind
Turns out singing isn’t just good for the soul—it’s good for the brain, too. Music may help reduce stress, boost mental flexibility, and build social bonds in older adults.
U.S. News & World Report, Feb. 2

🧓💻 Memory Loss at Work? Here’s What’s Helping
More Americans are facing early-stage cognitive decline while still on the job. From tech tools to flexible hours, here’s how some are staying in the workforce.
Wall Street Journal, Feb. 7

💰 Should You Spend the Kids’ Inheritance?
If your adult kids are doing just fine, is it time to treat yourself instead? Ask yourself these four smart questions before passing down more wealth.
Kiplinger, Feb. 5

If Valentine’s Day has you feeling a little “so… what now?” — here’s a sweet idea out of RiverSpring Living in Riverdale: from Feb. 1–14, their Cupid Senior Squad—a group of seniors who’ve been married 50, 60, even 70 years—is on call to answer your dating and relationship questions with honesty, humor, and the kind of wisdom you only get from living it.

Got a question about a new romance, a long marriage, or keeping the spark alive? Email [email protected] and a Squad member will write back. No algorithms. No swiping. Just real talk from people who’ve made love last.

Note: Their advice is just for fun and shouldn’t be taken as professional relationship, medical, legal, mental health, or other expert guidance.

Looking for an “everyone’s happy” spring outing? The Delaware River Railroad Excursions is bringing back its Easter Bunny Train Ride + Egg Hunt on March 28–29 and April 4–5, 2026 — a scenic ride along the Delaware, plus a stop at the “bunny patch” for an egg hunt.

On board, kids get to meet Mr. Bunny (plus some old-school train fun like juggling and singing “hobos”), then the train stops so children can hop off and collect six eggs to take home. Bring the baskets and the cameras.

Tickets: $20 adults • $14 kids (2–12) • $4 lap sitters/under 2. Multiple departure times each day—advance tickets recommended. Get more info here.

If your Valentine has four legs and a tail, you’re not alone. A new survey commissioned by Tropical Smoothie Cafe found 40% of single pet owners would rather spend Valentine’s Day with their pet than with friends, family, or a romantic date—and about half say their pet gives them more emotional support than any human.

To lean into the “fur-ever” love story, Tropical Smoothie Cafe is rolling out a limited-time Fur-Ever Duo: a Chocolate Covered Strawberry Smoothie (dark + white chocolate blended with strawberries) for you, plus a new Puppy Power Bowl for your pup—Greek yogurt with a peanut butter drizzle. Both are available through March 3 at participating locations.

🥞 Sweet Weekend Breakfast Idea: Treat the grandkids to a stack of heart‑shaped red velvet pancakes this Valentine’s season — a fun, festive twist on a classic breakfast that’s as cute as it is delicious. Get the recipe and step‑by‑step tips here: Treat the Grandkids to Red Velvet Heart Pancakes ➤ https://betterwithagenj.com/treat-the-grandkids-to-red-velvet-heart-pancakes

Settle in, folks. This week’s streaming lineup is a little quirky, a little swoony, and packed with award-season vibes. Here’s what’s new this week!

🎬 Blue Moon (Netflix, Feb. 14)
Ethan Hawke stars as Lorenz Hart, the famously sharp lyricist watching his old songwriting partner (hi, Richard Rodgers) premiere Oklahoma!—without him. Directed by Richard Linklater, the whole film unfolds over one lonely, charming night. Hawke is getting Oscar buzz, and honestly? He earns it.

🎥 Eternity (Apple TV, Feb. 13)
Elizabeth Olsen dies. But not before landing in a beautifully weird afterlife weigh station where she has to choose: spend forever with her steady husband or rekindle things with her dreamy first love who died in WWII. (Yes, there’s a Turner vs. Turner situation.) Dreamy, strange, and deeply watchable.

🏓 Marty Supreme (Premium VOD, Feb. 10)
Timothée Chalamet with a buzzcut and a ping-pong paddle? Sign us up. In this Oscar-nominated A24 flick, he plays a 1950s shoe salesman dead set on becoming the king of competitive table tennis. It’s high-stakes, high-style, and very A24. Stream it at home starting this weekend.

🕵️ Cross: Season 2 (Prime Video, Feb. 12)
Aldis Hodge is back as super-sleuth Alex Cross, and this time he’s on the trail of a billionaire-hunting serial killer. Yep, we’re intrigued. If you like twisty crime with brains and brawn, this one’s for you.

The Garden State Wine Growers Association is once again rolling out its sweetest event of the year: the Wine & Chocolate Trail, happening Feb. 13–15, 2026 across wineries throughout New Jersey. It’s your perfect excuse to visit a new vineyard—because nothing says “romance” quite like a flight of reds and a chocolate truffle (or five).

Here’s a little taste of what’s on the trail this year:

🗺️ Full trail info and winery list: newjerseywines.com/wine-and-chocolate-trail-release-2026

A star-studded lineup is celebrating big milestones this week, including Ocean Senior Scoop reader Mike H. of Toms River, who celebrates 77 years today! Also on Feb. 11, Tina Louise, 92, our forever Ginger from Gilligan’s Island, and Sheryl Crow, 64, rock out another year. Feb. 12 marks author Judy Blume’s 88th birthday and Arsenio Hall, the talk show legend, turns 70. Then on Feb. 13, Hollywood icon Kim Novak turns 93, Bo Svenson of Walking Tall fame hits 85, Stockard Channing celebrates 82, and musician Peter Gabriel blows out 76 candles, probably with a brilliant soundtrack playing in the background. 🎉

⁉️Questions, comments or news to share? Just hit reply to this email!

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👋See you next week!

The Ocean Senior Scoop team

📝 Disclaimer: We do our best to keep everything current and correct, but events can change, links can break, and chocolate can run out. Always check directly with venues or organizers before heading out. Also: While we love sharing stories, ideas, and helpful tidbits, nothing in this newsletter should be taken as medical, legal, or financial advice—we’re fun, not fiduciaries. 💕