👋Hello, Ocean County!

Here’s your weekly guide to local events, helpful programs and fun things to do for seniors in Ocean County.

🎉 Weekend Plans: Murder mystery dinner, farmers markets, craft fairs, Ocean Fun Days, Pickle Palooza and more
📚 Library Events: Elvis, chair yoga, cake decorating, baseball history, garden help, wellness talks and book sales
🌿 Fresh & Local: Farmers markets in Brick, Jackson and Forked River
🎶 Music & Entertainment: Rock Around the Pines, Music-Fest, big-band swing and a Spring Fling Hoedown
🩺 Health & Wellness: Wellness screenings, stress support, aphasia, dieting, mold prevention and caregiver help
🧶 Crafts & Classes: 3D painting, DIY tote bags, knitting groups, crocheting and Knitting 101
🌊 Nature & Outdoors: Ocean Fun Days, Green Fair, birds of New Jersey, hiking essentials and garden clinics
🍰 Food & Fun: Armed Forces Day breakfast, season-opening brunch, Wicked Teatime and cake decorating
🗞️ Prime Time News: Dementia, prescriptions, HSAs and scam-safe planning
🩺 Health News: Medicare access to Wegovy is set to expand
🍳 In the Kitchen: Brunch gets beefy
✈️ Wanderlust Weekly: Disney adds new guided trips for 2027
📺 TV Time: Ranch drama, Stanley Tucci, Jeopardy and weekend streaming picks

Up first…

🕵️ Solve a 1950s prom-night mystery. Head to Mathis House in Toms River on Friday, May 15 at 7 p.m. for Who Killed Peggy Sue?, a dinner-theater murder mystery set at fictional Die-Dell High. Tickets are $75 per person, with 10% off for seniors and military, and guests are encouraged to wear 1950s costumes. Best dressed wins an overnight gift card.

🥕 Shop the Brick Farmers Market. Fresh produce, local goods and Saturday morning browsing return to Windward Beach Park in Brick on Saturday, May 16 from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The market runs Saturdays through Oct. 3.

🥞 Start the day with a salute. The Seaside Park Historical Society is hosting an Armed Forces Day Breakfast on Saturday, May 16 from 9–11 a.m. at the Tri-Boro First Aid Squad in Seaside Park. Tickets are $20 for a buffet catered by Klee’s Bar & Grill. No tickets will be sold at the door.

🛍️ Browse a brand-new market. The Market at Adventure Crossing runs Saturday, May 16 from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. at 515 Monmouth Road in Jackson Township, with farmers, food vendors, makers, creators and small businesses.

🌿 Go green in Brick. Brick Township’s Annual Green Fair takes over the Bob Anstett Cultural Arts Center on Saturday, May 16 from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Expect vendors, exhibits, giveaways, door prizes, food trucks and a clothing swap. Admission is free.

🚑 Craft, snack and support local EMS. The Stafford Township EMS Auxiliary Craft Vendor and Food Truck Festival is set for Saturday, May 16 from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. at the Southern Regional High School 9/10 Building in Manahawkin. Local crafts, handmade items and food trucks.

🌊 Have some Ocean Fun. Ocean Fun Days returns with free admission, free activities and free parking on Saturday, May 16 from 11 a.m.–3 p.m. at Island Beach State Park. Expect marine science, family activities and lots of Jersey Shore nature energy. The event continues Sunday at Sandy Hook.

🏡 Tour Beach Haven history. Beach Haven Heritage Day is Saturday, May 16, with a Historic Home Tour from 11 a.m.–4 p.m. and a Taste of Beach Haven Cocktail Party from 4–6 p.m. Check in at the LBI Museum for the self-guided tour. Early bird tickets are $40 for the house tour or $75 for the tour and party.

🥒 Pickle people, this is your moment. Pickle Palooza takes over Laurita Winery in New Egypt on Saturday, May 16 and Sunday, May 17, with food trucks, fire pits, live bands and pickle-themed specialties. If your weekend needed more crunch, here it is.

🤠 Do-si-do into spring. The Long Beach Island Foundation of the Arts and Sciences hosts a Spring Fling Hoedown on Saturday, May 16 from 5–8 p.m. in Long Beach Township, with line dancing, BBQ, beer and wine. Admission is free for LBIF members and $15 for non-members until May 13.

🎸 Rock around the Pines. Albert Music Hall in Waretown goes full 1950s and early ’60s on Saturday, May 16 at 6:30 p.m. with Rock Around the Pines. Five bands, vintage rockabilly spirit, food specials and a cash-only setup. Admission is $6; kids under 12 are $1.

🧸 Hunt for kid-stuff bargains. The Kids’ Stuff Flea Market is Sunday, May 17 from 9 a.m.–1 p.m. at Ocean County Park in Lakewood.

🍞 Shop small in Forked River. The Lacey Elks Farmers & Vendor Market runs Sunday, May 17 from 11 a.m.–3 p.m. at Lacey Elks Lodge #2518, with produce, baked goods, specialty foods, juices, pet items, crafts and local makers.

🎶 Catch a free Music-Fest. American Legion Post 493 is hosting Music-Fest on Sunday, May 17 from noon–6 p.m. in Little Egg Harbor. Admission is free and the event is open to the public, with food and a 50/50.

🎷 Swing into Sunday. Sentimental Journey Big Band brings It Might As Well Be Swing to the Grunin Center for the Arts in Toms River on Sunday, May 17 at 3 p.m. Expect classics of the Swing Era, jazzed-up favorites and big-band energy.

🫖 Have a wicked teatime. Mathis House in Toms River hosts a Wicked Afternoon Teatime on Sunday, May 17 at 3 p.m., featuring a Glinda-and-Elphaba theme, tea, soup, salad, finger sandwiches, scones and desserts. Cost is $50 per person, plus tax and cash gratuity.

Ocean County Library is bringing the range this week: Elvis, chair yoga, cake decorating, baseball history, garden help, big-band music and even estate planning.

🎤 Celebrate Elvis in ’76. The Upper Shores Branch in Lavallette hosts “ELVIStory: The Spirit of ’76” on Wednesday, May 13 at 7 p.m. This free musical history program looks at Elvis’s final touring years and the patriotic energy of 1976. Registration required.

🌸 Make spring pop in 3D. Art with a Heart comes to the Long Beach Island Branch on Wednesday, May 13 from 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m. for a cherry blossom 3D painting class. Step-by-step instruction is included, and space is limited.

🀄 Play a little Mah Jongg. Beginners are welcome at the Waretown Branch on Wednesday, May 13 from noon–4 p.m. Drop in, pull up a chair, and get in the game.

🛍️ Paint your farmers market tote. The Upper Shores Branch hosts a DIY Farmer’s Market Tote program on Wednesday, May 13 from 2–3 p.m. All materials are provided, so you can head into market season looking very stylish!

🌿 Ask a gardener. Have a plant problem? Bring your questions — or a sample — to the Point Pleasant Borough Branch on Wednesday, May 13 from 2–4 p.m. Rutgers Master Gardeners of Ocean County will help with gardening, pests, wildlife and other outdoor mysteries.

🧘 Try chair yoga. The Lacey Branch hosts Chair Yoga with Linda Higley on Wednesday, May 13 from 2–3 p.m. It’s a relaxing afternoon session led by a certified yoga instructor. Registration requested; waiver required.

🧠 Master your moods. The Brick Branch hosts Mastering Moods for Healthy Aging on Wednesday, May 13 from 2–3 p.m. Hackensack Meridian Health staff will share practical tools for managing stress, anxiety and emotional well-being.

🍰 Watch cake become art. The Jackson Branch hosts Let Them Eat Cake on Wednesday, May 13 from 6–8 p.m. Mayra Garcia of Viva Margar Bake Art will decorate a 50-serving cake with fresh fruit — and yes, patrons get to enjoy it afterward.

⚾ Talk baseball history. Local author Phil Coffin visits the Point Pleasant Borough Branch on Wednesday, May 13 from 6–7 p.m. for stories about Babe Ruth’s final hits, the first major league game under lights and other fascinating baseball moments.

🧘‍♀️ Take a mental health pause. The Lakewood Branch hosts Mental Health and You on Wednesday, May 13 from 6–7 p.m. Stop in for a quiet space with interactive self-help activities focused on mental wellness.

☕ Recharge before burnout wins. The Upper Shores Branch hosts Recharge: Stress & Burnout Prevention for Everyday Life on Thursday, May 14 from 2–3 p.m. Hackensack Meridian Health will share strategies for managing stress and building resilience.

🧶 Get hooked on yarn. Knitters and crocheters can bring their current projects to Hooked On Yarn at the Manchester Branch on Thursday, May 14 from 2–4 p.m. Hooks, needles, yarn and good company required.

💻 Brush up on digital smarts. The Long Beach Island Branch hosts a Digital Literacy Crash Course on Thursday, May 14 from 3–4 p.m. Learn how online information is created, shared and monetized — and how to spot what’s useful versus misleading.

🐦 Meet New Jersey’s birds. Wildlife biologist Harrison Hepding visits the Little Egg Harbor Branch on Thursday, May 14 from 6:30–7:30 p.m. to talk about birding across the Garden State.

🩺 Know your numbers. Free wellness screenings are available at the Brick Branch on Friday, May 15 from 1–3 p.m. A Hackensack Meridian Health nurse will offer blood pressure, pulse, cholesterol, blood sugar, BMI and stroke risk screenings. Drop in.

🃏 Play Canasta on LBI. The Long Beach Island Branch hosts LBI Canasta on Friday, May 15 from 2–5 p.m. Participants should already have a basic knowledge of the game.

🏳️‍🌈 Connect with community. The Lacey Branch hosts an LGBTQIA+ Senior Social Group on Friday, May 15 from 2–3 p.m. This free monthly drop-in gives older LGBTQIA+ adults a chance to connect, share resources and build community.

🌱 Bring your garden questions. Rutgers Master Gardeners will be at the Barnegat Branch on Monday, May 18 from 9:30–11:30 a.m. for a drop-in diagnostic clinic. Photos and plant samples welcome.

💛 Recharge for caregivers. The Manchester Branch hosts The Recharge on Monday, May 18 from 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m. This monthly support group is for caregivers and loved ones experiencing memory loss. Call Caregiver Volunteers of Central Jersey at 732-505-2273 to reserve a spot.

🀄 Make it Mahjongg Monday. The Upper Shores Branch hosts Mahjongg Mondays on Monday, May 18 from noon–3 p.m. Come play at the library and keep the tiles moving.

🧶 Knit, crochet and chat. Yarn fans have two Monday options: Knitting at the Library at the Little Egg Harbor Branch from 12:30–2:30 p.m., and Waretown Woolies Knitting Club at the Waretown Branch from 1–3 p.m.

🥾 Pack smarter for the trail. The Brick Branch hosts The 10 Essentials for Hiking on Monday, May 18 from 6:30–7:30 p.m. A New Jersey Search and Rescue representative will explain what to carry and why it matters.

🗣️ Learn about aphasia. The Brick Branch hosts Aphasia 101 on Tuesday, May 19 from 11 a.m.–noon. Brianna Rein of the Adler Aphasia Center will explain language loss after stroke or brain injury and offer communication tips.

🪴 Send your houseplant to the hospital. The Brick Branch hosts Houseplant Hospital on Tuesday, May 19 from 1–3 p.m. Bring your struggling plant and let a Master Gardener help diagnose the drama.

📚 Shop the book sale. The Friends of the Island Library Book Sale takes place at the Long Beach Island Branch on Tuesday, May 19 from 2–4 p.m. Stock up and support library programs while you’re at it.

📝 Get clear on wills and trusts. The Waretown Branch hosts Estate Planning: Wills & Trusts — What You Need to Know on Wednesday, May 20 from 11 a.m.–noon. Attorney Kathleen A. Browning Sheridan will explain the basics in plain English.

🏠 Talk mold prevention. The Barnegat Branch hosts Mold Prevention with the Ocean County Health Department on Wednesday, May 20 from 11 a.m.–noon. Learn about health risks and how to keep mold from moving in.

🥗 Rethink dieting. The Manchester Branch hosts All About Dieting on Wednesday, May 20 from 2–3 p.m. A Hackensack Meridian Health nurse educator will cover common myths, balanced meals, nutrition labels and practical ways to eat well.

📦 Declutter without panicking. Downsizing and Decluttering: You Can’t Take It With You is set for Wednesday, May 20 from 2:30–3:30 p.m. The location has changed to the Barnegat Branch Library. Presented by AARP.

🧶 Learn knitting basics. The Toms River Branch hosts Knitting 101 on Wednesday, May 20 from 6:30–7:30 p.m. This beginner-friendly, hands-on class covers casting on and the knit stitch. Yarn and needles are supplied; registration required.

🎺 End with a concert. The Pineland Symphonic Band performs at the Toms River Branch on Wednesday, May 20 from 7–8:30 p.m. Expect a crowd-pleasing mix from Sousa to Dixieland, patriotic tunes to rock. Space is limited and first come, first served.

A few smart reads worth having on your radar this week.

What Is Lewy Body Dementia? Ted Turner's Diagnosis, Explained: Lewy body dementia's similarities to Alzheimer's and Parkinson's pose a challenge for doctors. USA Today, May 6.

How to Save Money on Prescriptions 2026: Prescription meds can be pricey, but these 13 strategies can help you get the medications you need for less. U.S. News & World Report, May 8.

Dying With a Health Savings Account Can Leave a Tax Bomb for Heirs: The account is immediately taxable as income for non-spouse beneficiaries within the year of death, according to financial planners. But there are some potential workarounds. CNBC, May 9.

My Beloved Husband Has Early-Stage Dementia. He Is 'Doing Well,' but How Do I Protect Our $1.6 Million Savings Right Now? I'm so worried about scams. And how should I structure our finances, estate and his long-term care? Kiplinger, May 10.

A major change is coming for some Medicare beneficiaries living with obesity.

Beginning July 1, 2026, eligible Medicare patients may be able to access Wegovy® — the GLP-1 weight-management medication from Novo Nordisk — for a $50 monthly copay through the new Medicare GLP-1 Bridge program. The Center for Medicare Services says the program is designed to give eligible Medicare Part D beneficiaries more affordable access to certain GLP-1 medications for weight management.

Wegovy, also known as semaglutide, is used along with diet and exercise for adults living with obesity. It is also FDA-approved to help lower the risk of major cardiovascular events, including heart attack, stroke or cardiovascular death, in adults with obesity who also have known heart disease, according to Novo Nordisk.

For seniors interested in GLP-1 medications, the next step is to talk with your doctor. These medications are not right for everyone, may require prior authorization, and should be considered as part of a broader health plan that includes nutrition, movement and medical guidance.

Brunch does not have to stop at muffins and fruit salad. The Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. brand is serving up a few savory ideas that can turn an ordinary weekend morning into something a little more memorable — and definitely more filling.

Start with a Beef & Veggie Quiche, a fresh twist on the brunch classic with seasoned ground beef, colorful spring vegetables and a flaky, buttery crust. It’s make-ahead friendly, pretty enough for company and hearty enough to keep everyone from asking, “Is there anything else?”

For something with a little bakery-window drama, try the Beefy Breakfast Strudel with Gravy, a golden braided pastry filled with hash browns, eggs and tender corned beef brisket, then finished with homemade gravy.

And for the crowd that likes to pick, pull and nibble, Beef Sausage & Cheddar Monkey Bread brings the fun. Mexican-style beef sausage is baked into cheesy pull-apart bread for a warm, shareable centerpiece that works for brunch, game day or any morning when cereal just isn’t going to cut it.

For more brunch ideas and beef-forward recipes, visit BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com.

Disney is giving travelers a few new reasons to dust off the passport.

Beginning in 2027, Adventures by Disney is expanding its guided land vacations with brand-new itineraries to Thailand and Croatia & Slovenia, plus a reimagined Italy: Sicily & Amalfi Coast trip with new hands-on activities and cultural stops. Public bookings open May 15, 2026.

The trips are designed for travelers who want the fun of a big international adventure without having to manage every hotel transfer, tour time and “wait, which train are we taking?” moment. Each trip is led by Disney Adventure Guides, who help handle the details while guests focus on the good stuff: food, scenery, history and memory-making.

Thailand: Temples, Canals & Elephants
The new 10-day Thailand itinerary includes Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket and more. Highlights include the Grand Palace in Bangkok, the ancient ruins of Ayutthaya, a private boat ride through Bangkok’s historic canals, cooking and tea garden experiences in Chiang Mai, a cruise through Phang Nga Bay, and a visit to an elephant sanctuary in Phuket.

Croatia & Slovenia: Castles, Coastlines & Lake Bled
The new eight-day Croatia & Slovenia trip leans into storybook scenery, with stops at Ljubljana Castle, a traditional boat ride across Lake Bled, a hike to the alpine settlement of Velika Planina, a cruise to the Elaphiti Islands, and kayaking near the ancient walls of Dubrovnik.

Italy: Sicily & Amalfi Coast Gets a Refresh
The updated eight-day Italy itinerary adds even more flavor — literally. Travelers can explore Mount Etna, visit the ancient Teatro Greco, see a private Sicilian puppet show, tour the preserved Roman town of Herculaneum, make pasta in Gragnano, and try a ceramics workshop in Vietri sul Mare.

Adventures by Disney will offer both family departures and adult-exclusive departures for all three itineraries in 2027. So whether you’re planning a multigenerational getaway or a grown-ups-only “we deserve this” trip, Disney is putting some serious magic on the map. For details, visit AdventuresbyDisney.com or contact a travel agent.

And now, for the couch portion of the program. This week’s streaming lineup has a little something for every mood: a long-awaited “Yellowstone” spinoff, a true-crime documentary and a foodie tour through Italy.

Dutton Ranch
Friday, May 15 | Paramount+
Beth and Rip are back — and naturally, peace and quiet are probably not on the menu. The long-awaited “Yellowstone” spinoff picks up one year after the original series finale, with Beth and Rip relocating to Texas and starting over on a new ranch. Kelly Reilly and Cole Hauser return, with Annette Bening and Ed Harris also starring.

Tucci in Italy — Season 2
Tuesday, May 12 | Disney+ and Hulu
Stanley Tucci is back to doing what Stanley Tucci does best: wandering through Italy, meeting locals and eating food that makes your own dinner look deeply inadequate. This season takes him to Sicily, Campania, Sardinia and more.

Pop Culture Jeopardy! — Season 2
Monday, May 11 | Netflix
Hosted by Colin Jost, “Pop Culture Jeopardy!” moves to Netflix for its second season, with new episodes dropping every weekday through June 5.

Lurker
Friday, May 15 | HBO Max
This psychological thriller stars Théodore Pellerin as a man who slides into the inner circle of rising pop musician Oliver, played by Archie Madekwe. Written and directed by Emmy winner Alex Russell of “The Bear” and “Beef,” the film looks at internet fandom, obsession and the unsettling power games around fame.

The Crash
Friday, May 15 | Netflix
Netflix’s new true-crime documentary examines a 2022 Ohio car crash in which 17-year-old Mackenzie Shirilla drove into a brick building at 100 mph, killing her boyfriend and his friend.

Black Phone 2
Saturday, May 16 | Netflix
Ethan Hawke’s terrifying character The Grabber returns — despite being killed in the first movie — and is out for revenge against Mason Thames’ character four years later. Horror fans, consider this your weekend jump-scare appointment.

Happy 76th birthday to Susan Murray of Harvey Cedars! Wishing you a wonderful birthday filled with good health, good company, and plenty of reasons to celebrate. 🥳 A few other famous faces celebrating birthdays this week with Susan include:

May 13
Buck Taylor of Gunsmoke and Gods and Generals turns 88; legendary actor Harvey Keitel, 87; music icon Stevie Wonder, 76; Leslie Winston of The Waltons, 70; and late-night host Stephen Colbert, 62.

May 14
Gene Cornish of The Rascals turns 82; Star Wars creator George Lucas, 82; Meg Foster of Cagney & Lacey, 78; director Robert Zemeckis of Forrest Gump and Back to the Future, 75; David Byrne of Talking Heads, 74; and Oscar winner Cate Blanchett, 57.

May 15
Actor-singer Anna Maria Alberghetti, 90; counterculture icon Wavy Gravy, 90; actor Chazz Palminteri of Analyze This and Mulholland Falls, 80; and rapper Melle Mel of Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, 65.

May 16
Raise a glass — shaken, not stirred — for Pierce Brosnan, who turns 73. Also celebrating: actor Debra Winger, 71; actor Mare Winningham, 67; and superstar Janet Jackson, 60.

That’s the Scoop for this week. Whether you’re browsing a market, catching a concert, heading to the library or just enjoying a slower spring weekend, we hope you find something fun, useful or worth sharing.

⁉️ 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 Ocean Senior Scoop team

Quick note: Event details can change, so please check before you go. Health, money and planning items are for general information only — not medical, legal or financial advice.