🎄Ocean Senior Scoop: Your holiday fun starts now

Welcome to this week’s edition of the Ocean Senior Scoop!
From twinkling light shows to cozy village strolls and festive train rides, we’ve packed this issue with can’t-miss holiday cheer, local happenings, and joyful ideas for you and the grandkids. Grab a blanket, a warm drink, and let’s unwrap the fun—Ocean County style!

🎄 Holiday Events Roundup: From sparkling drive-thrus to full-on Dickensian villages
🎭 What’s Happening This Week: Concerts, craft fairs, opera, bingo & farmers markets galore
📚 Beyond the Books: Free library fun—think ukuleles, memoirs, jazz nights & soup demos
✈️ Wanderlust Weekly: Winter in the Med? Disney dreams? River cruise goals? Yes, please.
🍽️ What’s Cookin’: Potatoes get a healthy (and delicious) makeover
📺 TV Time: What to stream this week: Freakier Friday, Landman, & more
🎁 Take the Grandkids: Santa dives with turtles, the Polar Express rolls out, and fishy fairy tales await
🗞️ Prime Time News: Top headlines and insights on aging, Alzheimer’s, autoimmune disease & more
🌲 In the Parks: Mark your calendar—Ocean County’s holiday line-up is lighting up!

Up first…

From seaside villages to snowy hayrides and dazzling drive-thru displays, here are some can't-miss holiday events lighting up New Jersey this season. Grab your cocoa, rally the grandkids, and make it merry!

🚗 Magic of Lights – Holmdel
🗓️ Nov. 21 – Jan. 3
Drive through dazzling digital light displays at PNC Bank Arts Center. One carload, one price!
📍 PNC Bank Arts Center
💰 From $27 per car

🚜 Old-Fashioned Christmas on the Farm – Wall Township
🗓️ Fridays–Sundays, Nov. 28 – Dec. 28
Petting zoos, Santa pics, holiday movies, and a magical wagon or train ride through tunnels of light. Info
📍 Allaire Community Farm
💰 $12 adults, $6 kids, under 1 free

🎅 Christmas at the Hangar – Cape May
🗓️ Nov. 29 • 10 AM–4 PM
A WWII-era hangar gets the holiday glow-up! Free event with live music, Santa, crafts, face painting, cocoa, cookies & 20% off the gift shop. Info
📍 Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum
💰 Free

🎄 Dickens Days & Winter Village – Clinton
🗓️ Nov. 28–30
Step into a real-life Victorian snow globe as Clinton transforms for the holidays! Stroll Main Street during Dickens Days, where carolers, carriage rides, and Santa’s Workshop bring the charm. Then head to the Red Mill Museum Village for the Winter Village—a heated outdoor market with 50+ craft vendors, food trucks, horse-drawn rides, the Festival of Trees, and theatrical Dickens carolers. Info
📍 Main Street & Red Mill Museum Village, Clinton
💰 Free on Main Street; Museum admission supports the Red Mill

🎩 Dickens Festival & Holiday Lights – Historic Smithville
🗓️ Nov. 29–30 • 1–7 PM (Festival)
🗓️ Nightly, Nov. 27 – Jan. 6 • 5:30–8:30 PM (Light Show)
Historic Smithville goes full Dickens with a two-day outdoor Dickens Festival, featuring A Christmas Carol performed live by Riddlesbrood Touring Theatre, plus Scrooge, holiday charm, and costumed characters. Stick around after dark for the Holiday Light Show, where over 100 Christmas trees appear to float on Lake Meone, blinking in sync with festive music. Info
📍 Historic Smithville, NJ
💰 Free

🌟 An Old-Fashioned Christmas – Cape May
🗓️ Nov. 22 – Jan. 2026
Victorian Cape May goes full Dickens with garlands, gaslights, trolley tours, and old-timey cheer. Info
📍 Cape May, NJ
💰 Tour costs vary

🎡 Skylands Stadium Christmas Village – Augusta
🗓️ Select Dates, Nov. 22 – Jan. 2026
Drive-thru lights, outdoor skating, carnival rides, artisan shops, and s’mores with Santa. Info
📍 Skylands Stadium
💰 $29 per car

🚙 Winter WonderLights Drive-Thru – East Brunswick
🗓️ Begins Nov. 21
New Jersey’s largest animated light show with synchronized music, magical tunnels, and festive scenes—all from your car. Info
📍 Middlesex County Fairgrounds
💰 $35 Sun–Thurs, $45 Fri–Sat

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

How Americans Are Thinking About Aging: For older adults, income largely shapes the aging experience. Pew Research Center, Nov. 6.

The Mulligan Rule of Retirement — Seven Mistakes You Can Fix: Use the Mulligan Rule to undo these seven costly retirement errors. While you can’t go back in time, some retirement choices allow for a “correction shot.” Kiplinger, Nov. 8.

5,000 Steps a Day May Help Protect the Brain from Alzheimer’s, Study Finds: Being physically active helped slow older adults' memory loss, even when they already had early brain changes linked to Alzheimer’s. HealthDay News, Nov. 4.

There are More Than 100 Autoimmune Diseases, and They Mostly Strike Women. Here’s What to Know: Our immune system has a dark side: It’s supposed to fight off invaders to keep us healthy. But sometimes it turns traitor and attacks our own cells and tissues. Associated Press, Nov. 6.

Dementia Tests: What to Know and How They Work: Learn about the different dementia tests used to assess cognitive function and screen for dementia or mild cognitive impairment. U.S. News & World Report, Nov. 7.

Certain Obesity Drugs Will Cost as Little as $149 and Medicare Will Start Covering Them Under White House Deals: The arrangements with drugmakers Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk are the latest in the federal government’s efforts to lower drug prices. CNN, Nov. 8.

Whether you're looking to shop, sway to some tunes, get crafty, or dive into local heritage, there's something happening every day in Ocean County this week. Here's your day-by-day guide to fairs, markets, music, and more!

🌺 Fall Craft Fair
10:00 AM – 3:00 PM @ Stafford Fire Company, Manahawkin
Woodwork, crochet, shell crafts, and more. Support your local makers! Info

🎄 LBIF Holiday Market
10:00 AM – 3:00 PM @ Long Beach Island Foundation, Loveladies
Shop handmade goods and get ahead on your Small Biz Saturday list.
LBIF Holiday Market

🎨 Fabricated For You Craft Fair
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM @ Toms River
More than 80 local vendors, raffle prizes, and handmade treasures.
Event Info

🍳 Fall Extravaganza Vendor Fair
11:00 AM – 4:00 PM @ Bayville Elks Lodge
Handmade goodies, baked treats, and home decor.
Event Details

🎶 Albert Music Hall Homeplace Show
5:00 PM – 9:00 PM @ Waretown
Old-time string bands, sing-alongs, homemade food. $6 entry.
Albert Hall

🎭 Carmen (Opera)
7:30 PM @ Surflight Theatre, Beach Haven
A dramatic tale of love and jealousy.
More Info

🎺 Meet Loaf — Meat Loaf Tribute Show
8:00 PM @ Strand Theater, Lakewood
All the Bat Out of Hell hits—and then some.
The Strand

🎨 Laser Beatles Light Show
8:30 PM @ Novins Planetarium, Toms River
The Fab Four + laser art = pure nostalgia.
Book Tickets

🌺 Craft & Vendor Fair
10:00 AM – 2:00 PM @ West Tuckerton Fire Co Auxiliary
Local crafts and vendors.

🌿 Native American Wisdom Presentation
2:00 PM – 5:00 PM @ Ocean County Historical Society, Toms River
Live storytelling, music, and culture with Three Ravens. FREE (donations welcome).
Reserve Seats

🎄 LBIF Holiday Market
9:00 AM – 4:00 PM @ Long Beach Island Foundation
Another chance to shop and support local artisans.
LBIF Holiday Market

🌾 Blue Tea Bingo Night
6:30 PM @ Mathis House, Toms River
Tea + scones + desserts + 35+ Christmas trees. $20 (senior discount available).
Reserve

🎨 Art Classes for Veterans and First Responders
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM @ TRAC, Toms River
Free monthly class, all supplies included.
More Info

Free fun, fresh stories, and feel-good happenings at your local Ocean County Library branches this week!

💃 Celebrate Native Heritage Through Music & Movement
Nov. 13 – 6:30PM | Lacey Branch
Get ready for a powerful evening of drums, dances, and storytelling with members of the Lenape and Nanticoke tribes. This one's full of spirit and strength.

🎖️ Vietnam Combat: The Real Deal
Nov. 14 – 11AM | Brick Branch
Veteran Robin Bartlett shares gripping stories from the front lines and the lessons they taught him. Expect heart, grit, and a few chills.

🎷 Music Through the Decades with Rhythm N' Sound
Nov. 12 – 2PM | Berkeley Branch
From the swingin’ 40s to the groovy 80s—an hour of live music to get your toes tapping.

🎤 Beyond the Sea: The Bobby Darin Story
Nov. 15 – 11AM | Barnegat Branch
The official Darin archivist brings music, videos & memorabilia from one of pop’s greatest showmen.

🎺 Jazz Night with Brian Betz & Behn Gillece
Nov. 19 – 7PM | Toms River Branch
Guitar and vibraphone jazz duo. Think smooth, classic, and totally free.

📝 Micro Memoir Writing Workshop
Nov. 12 – 2PM | Manchester Branch
Tell your story in 300 words or less. No writing experience needed—just memories and heart.

🎨 Coffee & Coloring
Nov. 13 – 3PM | Brick Branch
Mugs. Music. Markers. Stress-free adult coloring bliss.

📜 Getting Started with Ancestry
Nov. 14 – 10AM | Toms River Branch
Genealogy newbies welcome! Learn to dig into your family tree with tips from the pros.

🪑 Chair Yoga with Linda Higley
Nov. 12 – 2PM | Lacey Branch
A gentle, guided session—no floor mats, just stretch and breathe.

🎶 Uke Can Do It: Ukulele for Seniors
Nov. 12 – 6PM | Toms River
Nov. 19 – 6PM | Berkeley Branch
Pick up a uke and strum along—no experience needed!

🧘 Yogalates
Nov. 12 – 10AM | LBI Branch
A fusion of yoga and Pilates to tone and energize.

💌 Write Cards for Veterans
Nov. 12 – 2:30PM | Stafford Branch
Bring warmth to a veteran's day with a handmade card or heartfelt note.

🧶 Holiday Knit-Together
Nov. 15 – 11AM | Waretown Branch
Needles, yarn, and good company provided. You bring the holiday spirit.

🥣 Blending Fun with Amy – Fall Soups
Nov. 13 – 2PM | Little Egg Harbor
Blend up cozy comfort—watch, learn, and maybe even taste.

🍽️ Devon’s Kitchen Cooking Demo
Nov. 13 – 3PM | Pt. Pleasant Beach
Chef Devon gets creative in the kitchen. Come hungry to learn.

🍴 Culinary Enthusiasts Club
Nov. 12 – 1PM | Barnegat Branch
Talk food. Share recipes. Maybe taste a bite or two.

🛍️ Jewelry Sale – Friends of the Library

🧡 OCL turns 100 this year—celebrate with free programs all month long!
📍 Visit theoceancountylibrary.org for full events listings or call your branch to register.

From gingerbread creations to twinkling trails, Ocean County’s parks are packing the calendar with holiday cheer. Here’s what’s coming up:

🪵 Affair at Cedar Bridge
📅 Sunday, December 7
📍 Cedar Bridge Tavern Historic Site, Barnegat
Step back in time at this annual historical reenactment at one of New Jersey’s Revolutionary landmarks.

💡 Lighting Up Nature
📅 Friday–Monday, December 12–15
📍 Jakes Branch County Park, Beachwood
Wander through a dazzling display of nature-themed lights.

❄️ Winter Solstice Celebration
📅 Saturday, December 13
📍 Cattus Island County Park, Toms River
Celebrate the shortest day of the year with seasonal fun and outdoor activities.

🎅 Photos with Santa
📅 Sunday, December 14
📍 Cattus Island County Park, Toms River
Bring the grandkids and your best holiday sweater for a festive photo op with the Big Guy!

🏠 Gingerbread House Contest
📦 Drop-Off: December 17–21
🏆 People’s Choice Voting: December 26 – January 4
📍 Cattus Island County Park, Toms River
Get creative with gumdrops and icing—enter your masterpiece, then come back to vote!

👉 For more Ocean County park events, visit: Ocean County Parks & Rec

Magical escapes, Mediterranean winters & Myrtle Beach magic.

🎄 Orlando Magic, Four Seasons-Style
Deck the halls at Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World®! From Nov. 30–Dec. 30, enjoy life-sized gingerbread houses, cookie decorating, Santa sightings, and a Christmas Day feast. Bonus: the rooftop fireworks views from Capa Steakhouse? Pure holiday sparkle.
👉 fourseasons.com/orlando

🚢 Howdy, Galveston: MSC Seascape Arrives in Texas
MSC Cruises has officially launched sailings from Galveston! The MSC Seascape will whisk you away on 7-night Caribbean itineraries with stops in Costa Maya, Cozumel, and MSC’s private island Ocean Cay. Big ship energy, Texas style.
👉 msccruisesusa.com

✨ Myrtle Beach: Holiday Central
In Myrtle Beach, the holidays come with palm trees and parade floats. Enjoy tree lightings, oceanfront festivals, holiday markets, and dazzling light shows through New Year’s Eve. Don’t miss Brookgreen Gardens’ Nights of a Thousand Candles—absolutely breathtaking.
👉 VisitMyrtleBeach.com

⚓ Oceania Cruises Does Winter in the Med
For the first time ever, Oceania Cruises will offer a full winter season in the Mediterranean (Nov. 2025–April 2026). Think Greece, Italy, Spain, and more—minus the summer crowds. Plus: culinary tours, ancient ruins, and warm(ish) weather.
👉 oceaniacruises.com

❄️ Snowland at Great Wolf Lodge Returns
Through early January, Great Wolf Lodge’s Snowland transforms its resorts into wintry wonderlands, complete with indoor snow showers, holiday crafts, visits from Santa, and a frosty Frosty Fest Family Dance Party. Cozy cabins meet snowy fun.
👉 greatwolf.com/snowland

🎅 Palm Beaches = Pure Holiday Vibes
From boat parades and ballet to menorah lightings and snow falls in the tropics, the Palm Beaches deliver major festive flair. Check out Sandi Land in West Palm and classic performances like The Nutcracker and The Messiah Sing-Along.
👉 thepalmbeaches.com/holiday

🚤 Nat Geo + Lindblad = River Cruise Goals
Lindblad Expeditions and National Geographic are adding 12 new river itineraries for 2027–2028—including the Danube, Rhine, Moselle, and Mekong Rivers. You’ll get stunning scenery and top-tier storytelling from onboard experts.
👉 expeditions.com

Ever heard someone say “potatoes spike your sugar and wreck a healthy meal”? Turns out—a big myth! American Diabetes Association (ADA) is teaming up with Idaho® Potatoes to set the record straight.

What’s the deal?

Try it at home:
Here are three recipe ideas to give potatoes the good‑for‑you makeover:

Tip for seniors: Go for a medium‑sized Idaho potato, leave the skin on for extra fiber, skip the heavy butter/sour cream, add herbs and a side of lean protein and your favorite green veggie. Delicious and diabetes‑smart.

🍿 Grab your remote and your popcorn—there’s something for every screen and mood this week!

📺 They’re back! Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan are switching bodies again in Freakier Friday, the long-awaited sequel to their 2003 hit. It drops Wednesday on Disney+, bringing chaos, heart, and a whole lot of déjà vu.

🎭 Drama alert! Claire Danes and Matthew Rhys sizzle in The Beast in Me (Netflix), a twisty thriller with Pulitzer prizes, suspicious neighbors, and a side of murder. Premieres Thursday.

🎬 Movie buffs, don’t miss this:
— Nouvelle Vague (Netflix, Fri) is Richard Linklater’s stylish, French New Wave love letter to Breathless. It’s in black and white and all kinds of cool.
— Eddington (streaming now): Ari Aster’s eerie pandemic-era tale stars Joaquin Phoenix and Pedro Pascal. Unsettling, philosophical, and very 2020s.
— Come See Me in the Good Light (Apple TV, Fri) is a moving doc about two poets facing illness and love—emotional, inspiring, and full of heart.

📚 Streaming picks with a twist:
— Palm Royale (Apple TV) is back with Kristen Wiig, Carol Burnett, and all the 1960s social-climbing glam you can handle.
— Surviving Mormonism (Peacock) follows Heather Gay’s post-Housewives journey as she explores life after the LDS church.
— Malice (Prime Video): David Duchovny + shady tutor = vacation from hell.
— The Saints (Fox Nation): Martin Scorsese tells the tale of Saint Patrick. Holy binge, Batman.
— Landman (Paramount+): Oil, ego, and drama deep in Texas. Season 2’s got Sam Elliott, Andy Garcia, and Demi Moore.

Looking for memory-making magic with the little ones? These festive events are perfect for grandparents and young grandkids—whether you're cruising through twinkling tunnels, watching Santa dive with sea turtles, or sipping cocoa on a magical train ride. Here’s your statewide sleigh-full of seasonal adventures:

🚜 Diggerland Drive-Thru Light Show
Nov. 14 – Jan. 2026 | $37.99 per car
Drive through a construction-themed light wonderland complete with glowing tunnels, festive displays, and music synced to your car radio.
📍 West Berlin, NJ
More Info »

🚂 DiDonato’s Magical Holiday Express
Select Dates, Nov. 15 – Dec. 23 | $22.95+ per person
All aboard! Ride the holiday train through sparkling lights, meet Santa, enjoy cookies, and stroll through the festive Holiday Village.
📍 Hammonton, NJ
More Info »

🌟 Christmas Fantasy with Lights – Storybook Land
Nov. 15 – Dec. 30 | Cost of Admission
Every night at 5 PM, Santa waves his magic wand and Storybook Land lights up with over a million twinkling lights. Rides, fairy tales, and festive fun await!
📍 Egg Harbor Township, NJ
More Info »

🎅 Christmas Underwater – Adventure Aquarium
Nov. 21 – Dec. 24 | Cost of Admission
Santa in scuba gear? Yup! Watch Scuba Santa swim with sharks and turtles, see snow flurries in the Snowtunda, and check out the World’s Tallest Underwater Christmas Tree.
📍 Camden, NJ
More Info »

⛸️ Skylands Stadium Light Show & Christmas Village
Select Dates, Nov. 22 – Jan. 2026 | $29 per car
Drive through the Lightfest, then park and enjoy skating, s’mores, carnival rides, shopping, and pics with Santa in the outdoor Christmas Village.
📍 Augusta, NJ
More Info »

🚂 The Polar Express – Phillipsburg
Begins Nov. 28 | $38 Kids, $48 Adults
Step into the classic holiday tale! Enjoy hot cocoa, cookies, dancing chefs, storytime, and a special visit from Santa—plus every guest gets a silver sleigh bell.
📍 Phillipsburg, NJ
More Info »

🐠 Seas and Greetings – Jenkinson’s Boardwalk
Dec. 13, 20, 27 & 28 | 12–5 PM | Cost of Admission
Santa meets sea life in this magical boardwalk bash featuring holiday princesses, ice skating, snow bubbles, face painting, and “Fishmas Tales” at the aquarium.
📍 Point Pleasant Beach, NJ
More Info »

🎂 A big Better With Age happy birthday to Shelley H. of Seaside Heights, who’s turning 67 this week! Wishing you a year full of laughter, great company, and plenty of cake!

A few other famous folks blowing out candles this week include:
Nov. 10 – Comedian Sinbad, 69; actor Mackenzie Phillips, 66; Downton Abbey’s Hugh Bonneville, 62; comedian Tracy Morgan, 57; Grey’s Anatomy star Ellen Pompeo, 56.
Nov. 11 – Actor Stanley Tucci, 65; actress Demi Moore, 63; actress Calista Flockhart, 61.
Nov. 12 – Rock legend Neil Young, 80.
Nov. 13 – Actor Joe Mantegna, 78; actor Chris Noth, 71; actor-host Whoopi Goldberg, 70. 🎂

⁉️Questions, comments or news to share? Email us: [email protected]

👀First time reading? Join thousands of Ocean County seniors. Sign up for our free weekly newsletter here.

😊See you next week!

The Better With Age New Jersey team

_{Disclaimer: We’re here to share community news, events, and a little joy—never medical, legal, or financial advice. Take what’s useful, share what’s fun, and always check with the pros when it really counts.} 😉

_{Senior Wisdom Tip: If you didn’t ask for the call, text, or email, don’t answer it—especially if it’s after your money or personal info.}