This Week’s Ocean Senior Scoop: Music, Markets & More!

Hello friends,

September is in full swing, and Ocean County is buzzing with community spirit! 🎉 From history celebrations and flea market finds to live music that will get your toes tapping, there’s something for everyone to enjoy this week. Whether you’re looking for a fun night out, a family-friendly afternoon, or a little treasure hunting, we’ve got you covered.

Here’s what’s happening close to home ⬇️

🎶 100th Anniversary Concert: The Ragtimers
📍 Ocean County Library, Toms River
🗓 Wed, Sept. 17 | 6:30 PM
Celebrate 100 years of the library with lively ragtime tunes!

📜 Fifth Annual Ocean County History Day
📍 Ocean County Historical Society, Toms River
🗓 Sat, Sept. 13 | 10 AM–3 PM
Step back in time with reenactors, tours, and local history displays. 💲 Free

🎤 Tim Atwood Live in Concert
📍 Ocean Acres Community Center, Manahawkin
🗓 Sun, Sept. 14 | Dinner 4 PM, Show 5:30 PM
A night of music and stories with the 38-year Grand Ole Opry vet. 💲 $35 adults | $15 kids

🛍 Giant Flea Market – Lakewood
📍 Ocean County Park Beach Complex
🗓 Sun, Sept. 14 | 9 AM–1 PM (set-up 7:15 AM)
Treasure hunt or sell your stuff—rain or shine! 💲 $15 per 2-space spot

Looking for a fun outing with the little ones? Patriots County Park in Jackson just unveiled a brand-new sports-themed playground—and it’s a hit with kids of all ages!

From seesaws and swings to a giant climbing soccer ball and a rope tower slide, there’s plenty for your grandkids to explore. The park even added a workout station so grandparents can stay active while the kids play.

Ocean County Commissioners say the upgrades were designed so all children—regardless of age or ability—can play together in an inclusive, welcoming space.

📍 Patriots County Park, 485 Bowman Road, Jackson

Bring a picnic, stretch your legs, and let the grandkids run, climb, and slide their hearts out!

🐑 Garden State Sheep & Fiber Festival (Ringoes, Sept. 13–14) – Sheep shows, herding dogs, weaving demos, and lots of woolly fun.
🐂 Cowtown Rodeo (Pilesgrove) – Live bull riding, lassoing, and barrel racing through Sept. 27. Plus: special Pro Bull Riding event Oct. 4.
🍺 Morey’s Piers Oktoberfest (Wildwood) – Weekends mid-Sept. through mid-Oct., with steins, German food, and rides on the boardwalk.
⚔️ Sparta Renaissance Festival (Sparta, Sept. 6–21) – Jousting, storytellers, axe throwing, archery, and 100+ vendors.
🎷 Montclair Jazz Festival (Sept. 13) – A vibrant mix of jazz performances, cuisine, and local art.
🥓 Bacon, Bourbon & Brews Festival (Medford, Sept. 13) – Bold flavors, live music, and craft drinks.
🦞 Downbeach Seafood Festival (Ventnor, Sept. 13–14) – From lobster rolls to oysters, it’s seafood heaven.

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

👣 A Scary Trend: More older adults are dying after falls — and researchers think prescription drugs might be part of the reason. (New York Times, Sept. 6)

🎯 Silent but Serious: Prostate cancer doesn’t always come with symptoms. A new poll shows many don’t realize this, which can delay lifesaving care. (HealthDay, Sept. 2)

💸 Retirement Math Update: Remember the famous 4% rule? It’s now the 4.7% rule — a small change that could make a big difference in your retirement plans. (USA Today, Sept. 1)

🏖️ Where to Retire: WalletHub just dropped its 2025 list of the best and worst states for retirees. Spoiler: where you live can really stretch (or shrink) your nest egg. (Wallet Hub, Sept. 2)

⏰ Tick Tock on Social Security: By 2032, benefits could be cut by a whopping 24%. That’s less than a decade away. (U.S. News, Sept. 2)

📑 Insurance Denial? Appeal It!: Nearly half of people who fight prior authorization denials find it tough — but it’s doable. Here are 7 tips to boost your odds. (KFF Health News, Sept. 4)

💘 Love After 60: Dating again? Kiplinger has nine rules to keep your heart (and your dignity) safe while putting yourself out there. (Kiplinger, Sept. 3)

Ocean County Markets This Week

Brick Farmers' Market
📍 265 Princeton Ave., Brick Township
🗓 Saturdays | 8:30 AM – 1:30 PM
🍎 Local produce, vendors, and baked goods.

Lacey Farmers' Market
📍 203 Lacey Rd., Forked River
🗓 Fridays | 11 AM – 5 PM
🥕 Tailgate-style market with plenty of fresh, local items.

Point Pleasant Beach Farmers Market
📍 413 Arnold Ave., Point Pleasant Beach
🗓 Sundays | 9 AM – 1 PM
🍅 Fresh vegetables and fruits by the shore.

✨ Markets run weekly through the fall, so mark your calendars and bring your tote bags for plenty of Jersey Fresh goodness!

Tomato season is at its peak, and nothing beats the flavor of a fresh, juicy Jersey tomato. Celebrate the harvest with Chef Amanda Freitag’s Jersey Fresh Tomato Marinara Sauce — a simple, delicious recipe perfect for pasta, chicken, or freezing for later.

👉 Get the Recipe Here

🚂 Gettysburg Excursion Railway – Pennsylvania’s Patriot Rail has launched passenger service on the restored Gettysburg Excursion Railway! Departing from the 1884 Depot, ride in upgraded 1950s-era Budd passenger cars while enjoying snacks from the Café Car and narrated views of the Eternal Light Peace Memorial and scenic Adams County countryside. It’s history on rails! Info

🌒 2027 Solar Eclipse Mediterranean Voyage – Atlas Ocean Voyages is offering a once-in-a-lifetime Mediterranean journey in 2027, combining the cultural riches of Spain and Portugal with the rare thrill of a total solar eclipse viewed from the perfect vantage point—at sea! Info

🚗 11 Unforgettable Road Trips for Retirees – Hit the open road! Kiplinger has picked 11 road trips that are pure joy for retirees—scenic drives, charming towns, and unforgettable stops along the way. Pack your snacks and your sense of adventure! Info

🌄 Solo or Group Travel? You Do You! – Some retirees love the freedom of going solo, while others thrive in a group adventure. Either way, there’s a perfect trip waiting for you—just choose your vibe! Read

The Paper (Peacock, Monday) – From the folks who gave usThe Office! This time, the camera crew lands in a small Ohio newsroom — with none other than Oscar Martinez (Oscar Nuñez) popping up behind a desk. All 10 episodes drop at once, so pace yourself… or don’t.

 NCIS: Tony & Ziva (Paramount+, Monday) – Ten years later, fan-favorite duo Tiva is back! Now raising their daughter in France, the couple is pulled into a globe-trotting conspiracy. Action, romance, and banter — it’s like date night with explosions.

Task (HBO/Max, Thursday) – Mark Ruffalo hunts down violent robbers in a tense new thriller from theMare of Easttowncreator. Think gritty, gripping, and perfect for watching with the lights on.

50th Anniversary Apple Day | Terhune Orchards, Princeton | Weekend of Sept. 13
Apple picking, pony rides, corn mazes, barnyard animals, and live music — fall fun everyone loves.

Kids Boo Fest | Liberty Science Center, Jersey City | Starting Sept. 13
Safe spooky science, costume parades, and hands-on fun. Little monsters welcome!

Big cheers to Al N., Susan C., and Mark P. on Sept. 10 🎉. You share the day with Colin Firth (65), Hugh Grant (65), and Guy Ritchie (57). Not bad company for a party! 🥳

👵Apparently the hottest new design craze is called “Grandmacore”— think lace doilies, floral wallpaper, heirloom teacups and comfort over minimalism. Sounds familiar, doesn’t it? We’ve been rocking that vibe since before TikTok was a twinkle in anyone’s eye! Welcome back to our world, trendsetters — we saved you a seat on our floral sofa!🌸

❓ Questions, comments, or news to share? Email: [email protected]
👀 First time reading? Join thousands of Ocean County seniors — Sign up for free here
😎 See you next week!
— The Ocean Senior Scoop Team