🍂 The Ocean Senior Scoop – Your Week of Fall Fun, Local Flavor & Good Vibes!

The air’s getting crisp, the sweaters are getting cozier, and the fall fun is just heating up in Ocean County. Whether you’re exploring a local market, crafting with friends, or heading down the shore for a Halloween adventure, we’ve rounded up everything you need for a week full of flavor, fun, and local love.

🎟️ Local Events & Fall Fun
📚 Beyond the Books
🍂 Tasty Treats
✈️ Wanderlust Weekly
📰 Prime Time News
📺 TV Time
🎂 Birthday Shoutouts

Up first…

Grab your friends, hop on a shuttle, or hit the boardwalk — Ocean County’s got plenty to keep your week buzzing!

🚌 Shuttle & Shop – A Girls’ Day Out!
Thursday, Oct. 16 | 4–8 PM | Point Pleasant Borough
All aboard the complimentary Paddy Wagon Party Shuttle! 🎉 Cruise between some of the Chamber’s most fabulous small businesses for an afternoon of sips, shopping, raffles, and exclusive deals.
✨ Start at any participating shop to grab your map and first raffle ticket. Every receipt = another chance to win!
🎟️ Free to join — just bring your shopping energy!
Register here or call 732-295-8850 for details.
💗 Support small, shop local, and have a blast!

🎨 Art Classes for Veterans & First Responders
Thursday, Oct. 16 | 5–7 PM | TRAC, 40 Main St., Toms River
Relax, create, and connect with fellow heroes at this monthly art workshop hosted by the Toms River Artist Community. Learn new techniques in a friendly, supportive space — all materials provided.
Questions or childcare needs? Call 732-377-0290. More info

🧺 BlueClaws Fall Flea Market
Sunday, Oct. 19 | 8 AM–1 PM | BlueClaws Stadium, Lakewood
Hunt for treasures, collectibles, and vintage finds while enjoying autumn air at the stadium. Perfect for bargain lovers and baseball fans alike. ⚾

From pooch parades to spooky seaside parties, New Jersey is serving up plenty of fall fun this October!

🐕 Historic Smithville Costume Pet Parade
📅 Oct. 18 | 📍 1 N. New York Road, Smithville
Take a stroll through this charming village as New Jersey’s fluffiest residents strut their spooky stuff. A Halloween favorite in a picture-perfect setting! 🎃Info

🕺 Sea Isle City Halloween Parade & Family Dance Party
📅 Oct. 17 | Parade: 7 PM | Landis Ave. (45th–40th Streets)
📍 Dance Party at Excursion Park, 41st St., Sea Isle City
This spooky seaside tradition kicks off with a lively parade followed by a family-friendly dance party at Excursion Park. 💃👻Info
🍽️ Eat Nearby: Treat yourself pre-parade to surf-and-turf favorites at Coastal Chop House or enjoy ocean-view Italian at La Finestra Ristorante.

🎵 Wildwoods ‘50s, ‘60s & ‘70s Weekend
📅 Oct. 17–18 | 📍 4501 Boardwalk, Wildwood
Groove into spooky season, retro-style! Friday night’s dance party sets the mood, followed by Saturday’s classic car show and free festival — all leading up to a blowout concert featuring The Spinners and The Pointer Sisters. 🕺✨Info

🗺️ Lighthouse Challenge of New Jersey
📅 Oct. 18–19 | 📍 16 Lighthouses Statewide
Set your course for adventure! Visit 16 historic lighthouses and lifesaving stations along New Jersey’s coast during this two-day challenge. Now in its 26th year, it’s a shining way to celebrate fall — and test your sea legs! 🌊💡Info

🍂 Annual Chatsworth Cranberry Festival
📅 October 18 & 19
A fall favorite for families! Browse over 150 craft vendors, enjoy live music, and snack on delicious festival fare while celebrating New Jersey’s cranberry harvest.
📍 Downtown Chatsworth
💲 Cost: Free Info

🎃 Fall Fest at Somers Mansion
📅 October 18 | 11 AM – 8 PM
Celebrate the season with vendors, food trucks, tarot readings, ghost stories, candlelit tours, and a costume contest — all with a spooky twist!
📍 1000 Shore Rd., Somers Point Info

🕯️ Annual Ghoul Spring Village
📅 October 17 & 18 | 5:30 PM
Take a haunted stroll through Historic Cold Spring Village for a family-friendly night of ghostly fun. This living history museum turns delightfully eerie after dark — all for a good cause. Info
📍 720 US 9, Cape May
💲 Cost: $5 children, $10 adults

🧡 Grab your costume, your candy bag, and your sense of adventure — Halloween in Jersey is in full swing!

Your fall dessert dreams come true! Layers of creamy pumpkin cheesecake and graham-cracker crunch make these parfaits from Delicious Orchards the ultimate autumn indulgence.
👉 Get the recipe

💊 Drug Combo Effective Against Advanced Prostate Cancer — New hope for late-stage patients. HealthDay News, Oct. 10.
📉 Major Insurers Scale Back Medicare Advantage & Part D for 2026 — Kiplinger, Oct. 8.
👫 Smart Social Security Strategies for Couples — How spouses can boost lifetime benefits. The Motley Fool, Oct. 11.
🌴 10 Best Vacation Destinations for Retirees in 2026 — Where affordability meets adventure. Kiplinger, Oct. 11.

Grab the popcorn — here’s what’s worth watching!

🎬 Movies

📺 Series

Whether you’re flying out of Newark or cruising down the Parkway, adventure’s calling. 🌎

🎅 Atlantic City’s Ocean Casino Resort Becomes a Holiday Wonderland
Nov 27–Dec 31: Think cocoa kits, themed suites, Santa’s elevator ride to the “North Pole,” and even a Home Alone screening with Macaulay Culkin! Info

🛫 New Summer Escapes from Newark
United is launching nonstop routes in 2026 to Croatia, Scotland, Italy, and Spain — now’s the time to book that dream trip. Info

🎄 Holiday Fun in Orlando
At Grande Lakes Orlando, glide on Florida’s first outdoor resort ice rink, roast s’mores by the fire, and sip cocoa at Santa’s Teddy Bear Tea. Info

🚢 Cruise News: Alaska Awaits!
MSC Poesia’s 2027 Alaska season is open for booking — glaciers, wildlife, and world-class dining included. Info

🍽️ Oceania Cruises Revives “Jacques”
Chef Jacques Pépin reopens his signature restaurant aboard Allura, serving duck à l’orange and classic Crêpes Suzette. Bon voyage et bon appétit! Info

Here’s what’s happening this week at your local Ocean County Libraries — from classic cars to cookie cutters, cozy yoga, and a little ghost-hunting too!

🚗 The Origins of the Great Names in American Automobiles
Wednesday, Oct. 15 | 2–2:45 PM | Upper Shores Branch
Car buffs, this one’s for you! The Vintage Automobile Museum of NJ is pulling back the curtain on how America’s most iconic cars got their names — and the men who built them. See photos of vintage models and even check out a real classic vehicle after the talk. Sponsored by the Friends of the Upper Shores Branch.

🍪 Halloween Cookie Cutter Demo & Giveaway
Wednesday, Oct. 15 | 2–3 PM | Jackson Branch, Makerspace
Ever wonder how cookie cutters are made? Watch a 3D printer in action as it creates festive Halloween shapes — then take one home (plus a cookie recipe to try!). Bring a favorite fall recipe to swap while enjoying some sweet treats.

🪷 Chair Yoga with Linda Higley
Wednesday, Oct. 15 | 2–3 PM | Lacey Branch
Stretch, breathe, and relax in this gentle afternoon yoga session led by certified instructor Linda Higley. Perfect for all levels — just sign a quick waiver before class and get ready to unwind.

🌿 Ask a Master Gardener
Wednesday, Oct. 15 | 2–4 PM | Point Pleasant Borough Branch
Got plant problems? 🌻 Drop in to chat with a Rutgers Master Gardener for expert advice on pests, pruning, or any other garden mystery. Bring a sample if you’d like a diagnosis!

🎶 The Italian American Songbook
Wednesday, Oct. 15 | 6:30–8 PM | Toms River Branch
Take a musical trip through the golden age of Italian American performers — from Sinatra and Como to Connie Francis and Dean Martin — in this multimedia celebration by Jimmy Scalia. A feel-good evening sponsored by the Friends of the Toms River Library.

👻 Ghost Hunting Behind the Scenes
Wednesday, Oct. 15 | 7–8 PM | Brick Branch
Get in the spooky spirit with South Jersey Ghost Research, NJ’s oldest paranormal team. They’ll share real investigation footage, eerie EVPs (that’s ghost voices!), and tales from haunted sites across the tri-state. Q&A to follow — if you dare! 👀

🩺 Medication Misuse Prevention
Thursday, Oct. 16 | 10–11 AM | LBI Branch
Learn how to safely store, use, and dispose of medications in this practical, free session led by the LBI Health Department. (Registration required.)

🧭 Emergency Preparedness
Thursday, Oct. 16 | 11 AM–Noon | Jackson Branch
Be ready before disaster strikes! The Ocean County Health Department shares smart tips on building a home emergency kit and planning ahead for storms or power outages.

☘️ Irish Folktales
Thursday, Oct. 16 | 2–3 PM | Little Egg Harbor Branch
Step into Ireland’s storytelling tradition with Richard Dutton, who brings to life centuries-old folktales and the customs that inspired them.

🫖 Create Your Own Tea Blend
Friday, Oct. 17 | 2–3:30 PM | Toms River Branch
Sip, blend, and learn! Discover the health benefits of tea and craft your own custom mix to take home. Sponsored by the Friends of the Ocean County Library – Toms River.

🎤 DIAMOND: The Songs of Neil Diamond
Monday, Oct. 20 | 6:30–8 PM | Toms River Branch
Sweet Caroline, sing it loud! Join Scott Moreau for a glittery, toe-tapping tribute to Neil Diamond’s biggest hits — sequins included. ✨

💻 Senior Tech Workshop
Monday, Oct. 20 | 10–11 AM | Upper Shores Branch
Need a little tech help? Retired IT pro Darren Tietsworth is here to answer your questions. Bring your phone, tablet, or laptop — and your curiosity.

🎶 Sing-a-Long with Vinny
Tuesday, Oct. 21 | 7–8 PM | Upper Shores Branch
Warm up those vocal cords for a feel-good night of music from the ’20s through the ’90s with local favorite Vinny Cupo. Sponsored by the Friends of the Upper Shores Branch.

📦 Downsizing & Decluttering (Presented by AARP)
Wednesday, Oct. 22 | 11–11:45 AM | Jackson Branch
Time to simplify! Get practical, easy tips on organizing and letting go of “stuff” in this lighthearted and helpful talk from AARP.

🏖️ History of Lavallette (1887–1920)
Wednesday, Oct. 22 | 6–8 PM | Upper Shores Branch
Learn how “Lavallette City by the Sea” became the borough we know today in this fascinating local history talk with Denise Wirth of the Lavallette Heritage Committee.

✨ For details, registration links, and even more programs, visit theoceancountylibrary.org.

Cue the confetti — it’s a star-studded week of October birthdays! ✨
Big cheers to Barbara L. (Toms River) turning 74, George R. (Brick) celebrating the big 8-0, and Pat M. (Manahawkin) ringing in 68. Wishing you a day filled with laughter, cake, and all the good stuff life has to offer!

🎉A few other famous people sharing your birthday week include:

🎶 Shirley Caesar (88) — Gospel music legend and 12-time Grammy winner known for “Hold My Mule.”
🎸 Paul Simon (84) — Half of Simon & Garfunkel, and solo great behind “Graceland.”
🔥 Sammy Hagar (78) — Rocker and former Van Halen frontman known as “The Red Rocker.”
💃 Beverly Johnson (73) — First Black model on the cover of Vogue, beauty pioneer.
🎹 Richard Carpenter (79) — One-half of sibling duo The Carpenters, with hits like “Close to You.”
🎸 Bob Weir (78) — Founding guitarist of The Grateful Dead, still rocking on tour.
👨‍🍳 Emeril Lagasse (66) — TV chef and restaurateur famous for his catchphrase “Bam!”

👻 Storybook Land Trick-or-Treat Weekends
📅 October 18 & 19
Dress up and make some magic! Little ones can collect treats around the park, ride the rides in costume, and take home a special Trick-or-Treat bag (included with admission).
📍 6415 Black Horse Pike (Routes 40/322), Egg Harbor Township
💲 Cost: Price of admission Info

✨ Make Your Own Magic Wand
Sunday, Oct. 19 | 12–3 PM | Tuckerton Seaport, 120 W. Main St.
Grab your little goblins and go craft your own enchanted wand! 🪄 All materials are included. Cost is $30 (cash or check to instructor) — registration required.
Call 1-877-OCPARKS for details or to check availability. Info

😊Thanks for spending a little time with us — we love sharing what makes life in New Jersey better with age. So bake something sweet, plan a local outing, and don’t forget to wave at the neighbors. See you next week!

⁉️Question, comments or news to share? We’d love to hear from you! Email us at [email protected]

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Ocean Senior Scoop is a publication of Better With Age New Jersey — celebrating seniors, stories, and community across the Garden State. The Scoop shares community news and good vibes — never medical or financial advice. Always double-check event details, and consult a pro when it counts.