⚔️🔥 History Comes Alive: Watch the Battle of Monmouth Unfold This Weekend!

It’s Wednesday, New Jersey!

🥵It’s also ridiculously hot out there! With temperatures soaring close to 100 degrees, this week’s heat wave is nothing to take lightly. Stay cool: hydrate, skip the midday sun, and check on neighbors. Watch for heat exhaustion (dizziness, nausea, confusion) — and get medical help if needed. 👉 For more guidance, visit NJ Department of Health Extreme Heat Tips.

👀What’s on tap today

• March Into History! 🔔 Relive the Revolution right here in Monmouth!

• AI for All! 🤖Discover how smart tech can make your life easier.

• Needlefish Alert! 🐟What you need to know before you hit the water.

Up first…

🚗 Hackensack Meridian Health teams up with Uber Health for easier rides to care

Getting to a doctor’s appointment just got easier! Hackensack Meridian Health has teamed up with Uber Health to offer free or low-cost rides for qualifying patients, helping New Jerseyans overcome one of the biggest barriers to care: transportation.

🩺 Who benefits?

• Patients heading to or from appointments

• Those being discharged from the hospital

• Medical students after long shifts

No Uber app? No problem! Riders don’t need a smartphone or credit card — and communications are available in multiple languages. This innovative partnership aims to reduce missed appointments and support better health outcomes for all.

👉 Learn more at Hackensack Meridian Health

📰Prime Time News

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

Why is Caregiving So Hard in America? The Answers Emerge in a New Film: For people new to family caregiving, the lack of resources and support often comes as a bitter surprise. NPR, June 20.

Older Adults in the US Are Increasingly Dying from Unintentional Falls: More than 41,000 retirement-age Americans died of falls in 2023, the most recent year for which final statistics based on death certificates are available. Associated Press, June 18.

Cannabis Users 29% More Likely to Experience Heart Risks: Researchers understand that marijuana can make the heart beat faster and raise blood pressure, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). USA Today, June 18.

13 Ways to Save Money on Your Health Care: Among our top advice: Question your doctors, comparison shop and consider a health savings or flexible spending account. U.S. News & World Report, June 13.

Estate Planning Checklist: 13 Smart Moves: Follow this estate planning checklist for you (and your heirs) to hold on to more of your hard-earned money. Kiplinger, June 16.

What Could Go Wrong? Expert Tips to Keep Estate Planning from Getting Messy: With the great wealth transfer underway, people – even the rich, famous and business savvy – still struggle to get the transfer right. USA Today, June 18.

📜Travel back to 1778 at Monmouth Battlefield State Park this weekend for a living history spectacle!

🗓 Dates: Saturday & Sunday, June 28–29, 2025
⏰ Hours: Gates open at 9 AM; activities 10 AM–4 PM (Sat), 10 AM–3 PM (Sun)📍 Location: Visitor Center & Combs Hill, Monmouth Battlefield State Park, Manalapan

Experience a full weekend of Revolutionary War immersion:

• Morning encampments open at 9 AM

• Musket firing demos and Sunday cannon display

• Children’s musket drills throughout both days

• Special programs like “Over Here Molly Pitcher” by historian Stacy Roth

• Battle reenactments: Saturday at 3 PM, Sunday at 2 PM, with fife & drum performances

• Colonial music, sutler vendors, food trucks, and more

🔖 Suggested donation: $10–12 per car (helps cover event costs)
♿ Accessibility: Handicapped parking available; family-friendly

Bring the whole gang and witness history—cannon blasts, camp life, and 18th-century drama await. For more information, visit Reenactment of the Battle of Monmouth.

🌳 In the Parks

Looking for a fresh air adventure? Monmouth County parks have a fantastic lineup of free programs this week — perfect for seniors, grandkids, or anyone who loves the outdoors.

🐟 Seining the Bay
Wednesday & Friday, June 25 & 27, 11 a.m.–12 p.m.
Bayshore Waterfront Park, Port Monmouth
Help pull in the net and see what creatures call Sandy Hook Bay home — fish, crabs, maybe even something surprising! (Closed-toe shoes required. No swimming.)

🐸 Life in a Freshwater Pond
Thursday, June 26, 11 a.m.–12 p.m.
Freneau Woods Park, Aberdeen
Hunt for frogs, turtles, and fish, and peek at life beneath the pond’s surface. Bring your curiosity (and closed-toe shoes)!

🌊 Nature Talk: Sea Stars & Sand Dollars
Thursday, June 26, 7–8 p.m.
Bayshore Waterfront Park Activity Center, Port Monmouth
Get the scoop on these fascinating shore critters in this engaging evening lecture.

🪑 Traditional Chair Caning Demo + Piano Ballads
Saturday, June 28, 1–3 p.m.
Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel
Watch classic chair weaving in action — then tap your feet to live piano ballads from yesteryear!

✨ Under the Summer Stars
Sunday, June 29, 10:30–11:30 p.m.
Dorbrook Recreation Area, Colts Neck
Bring a camp chair and flashlight, and join us for a relaxed night of stargazing.

🌟 All events are FREE! Weather permitting.

📚 Beyond the Books

Looking to learn something new, connect with others, or just enjoy a great program? Check out these events at our local libraries this week.

🧠 W.I.S.E. Up! Understanding Aging
Thursday, June 26, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Marlboro Branch
Bust the myths of aging, get wellness tips, and learn how to spot and manage depression. Let’s make healthy choices together!

👥 Meet the Long-Term Care Ombudsman
Thursday, June 26, 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM | Marlboro Branch
Learn how this office advocates for the rights and dignity of those in long-term care — and find out about volunteer opportunities to make a difference.

🎨 Craft & Chat: Handicraft Club
Thursday, June 26, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM | Marlboro Branch
Bring your knitting, crochet, or needlepoint project and get inspired with fellow crafters. All skill levels welcome — just bring your own supplies!

🎡 Lost Amusement Parks of the Jersey Shore
Thursday, June 26, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM | Eastern Branch, Shrewsbury
Get ready for a nostalgic trip down memory lane! Once upon a time, New Jersey’s coast — from Sandy Hook to Seaside Heights — was alive with the clatter of wooden coasters, the music of carousels, and the laughter of summer crowds. Nearly 100 amusement parks dotted 120 miles of shoreline, creating magical memories for generations. Join presenter Rick Geffken as he brings these long-lost playgrounds back to life and shares how they shaped the spirit of our shore towns.

🌟 Monmouth ACTS Help Desk
Friday, June 27, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM | Allentown Branch
Need help with SNAP, Medicaid, or other services? Friendly reps are ready to assist — no appointment needed.

💬 Bereavement Support Group
Monday, June 30, 12:30 PM – 2:00 PM | Marlboro Branch
A gentle space to share, listen, and support one another after loss.

🃏 Bridge for Fun (Experienced Players)
Monday, June 30, 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM | Headquarters, Manalapan
Shuffle up and deal — join other bridge lovers for an evening of cards and camaraderie.

💡 All events are FREE. Registration preferred for some — visit Monmouth County Libraries to learn more.

 🤖Seniors & AI

Short weekly lessons on how seniors can use artificial intelligence.

What Is AI—and Why Should I Care?

AI (short for Artificial Intelligence) is when computers or apps are designed to “think” a bit like humans—learning, solving problems, even holding conversations. You’ve probably already used it without realizing! Ever asked Alexa the weather? Or used voice-to-text on your phone? That’s AI.

But AI isn’t just for techies or teenagers. It’s for you, too.
Here’s why it matters:

• It can help you write letters, grocery lists, or even jokes.

• It can find nearby events, discounts, or travel ideas.

• It can make talking to devices easier if typing is tough.

Each week, we’ll explore new, practical ways AI can help make life a little easier—and more fun!

Next week: Meet ChatGPT—Your New AI Pen Pal

Out & About

📅Mark Your Calendar

Here are some fun events happening across the state this weekend.

🎆 Annual North Beach Atlantic City Fireworks Celebration
📅 June 27 | 📍 Atlantic City, Atlantic County

🫐 Whitesbog’s Blueberry Summer Fest
📅 June 27 | 📍 Browns Mills, Burlington County

🔥 Argos Farm’s Blue & BBQ Festival
📅 June 27–29 | 📍 Forked River, Ocean County

🎸 Rock, Ribs and Ridges Festival
📅 June 27–29 | 📍 Augusta, Sussex County

🎨 Wings & Things: Arts and Crafts Festival
📅 June 28 | 📍 Cape May, Cape May County

🍺 Brew at the Zoo
📅 June 28 | 📍 West Orange, Essex

🦋 Firefly Festival at Terhune Orchards
📅 June 29 | 📍 Princeton, Mercer County

📺 What’s New on TV

New week, new shows — here’s what’s debuting this week.

🚀 Sally (Disney+)
Dive into the life of trailblazing astronaut Sally Ride, the first American woman in space! This new documentary, narrated by her partner Tam O’Shaughnessy, reveals Sally’s achievements and their 27-year hidden love story. Directed by Emmy-winner Cristina Costantini, it’s streaming now on Disney+ and Hulu, after winning big at Sundance.

🎶 The Ballad of Wallis Island (Peacock)
A gentle, quirky Welsh film about a widower who uses his lottery winnings to hire his favorite folk band. Praised for its warmth and subtle power, it’s a charming story of moving on.

🎬 Alfred Hitchcock Collection (Netflix)
Netflix adds a batch of Hitchcock classics, including “Vertigo,” “Rear Window,” “The Birds,” and more. Perfect for revisiting or discovering these iconic thrillers.

🏛️ The Gilded Age, Season 3 (HBO & Max)
The new season just began! Ada (Cynthia Nixon) inherits a fortune and becomes the family matriarch, while niece Marian (Louisa Jacobson) starts a budding romance with neighbor Larry Russell. Expect more high-society drama in 1880s New York.

🦖 Walking with Dinosaurs (PBS/BBC)
The groundbreaking 1999 dinosaur doc returns, now reimagined with cutting-edge technology and narrated by Bertie Carvel. All six episodes are streaming on PBS starting Monday.

👑 The Buccaneers, Season 2 (Apple TV+)
The lively Gilded Age drama about five bold American women in London returns Wednesday, with Leighton Meester joining the cast. Expect more drama and girl power!

👗 Outrageous (BritBox)
Premiering Wednesday, this 1930s drama tells the true story of the headline-making Mitford sisters, with Bessie Carter starring as Nancy Mitford.

🎉 Birthday Shoutout!

🥳A very happy 82nd birthday to Richard Lavin of Red Bank! Wishing you a day filled with joy, good company, and all the things that make you smile.🎂 A few other notable people born on Richard’s special day include:

⭐ George Michael (1963–2016) – Legendary pop singer
⭐ Anthony Bourdain (1956–2018) – Beloved chef and storyteller
⭐ Carly Simon (born 1945) – Iconic singer-songwriter
⭐ Ricky Gervais (born 1961) – Comedian and creator of The Office

One Last Thing

🌊 Swimmer Injured by a Leaping Needlefish at LBI

BARNEGAT LIGHT — It wasn’t a shark. It wasn’t a jellyfish. A swimmer on Long Beach Island was hospitalized over the weekend after being stabbed in the leg — by a needlefish!

The man was swimming near 9th Street beach when the long, slender fish apparently leapt from the water and struck him. He was treated for a minor injury at Southern Ocean Medical Center.

💡 Needlefish facts you probably didn’t know:

• These speedy fish can grow up to 3 feet long.

• They have sharp, toothy jaws that help them snag small fish and shrimp.

• They’re famous for leaping out of the water at high speeds — sometimes by accident into boats… or unsuspecting swimmers!

• Injuries from needlefish are rare but have been reported around the world, usually due to their surprising jumps.

So next time you’re taking a dip, remember — it’s not always what’s below that you need to watch out for… sometimes it’s what’s flying out of the water! Stay curious — and stay safe at the beach this summer!

And while we are the subject of sea life, check out this video about an 11-foot white shark was tracked off the Jersey Shore coast last week, according to researchers. The 761-pound male shark Dold "pinged" multiple times off the New Jersey coast on June 19 and 20, before continuing to swim north, according to data from OCEARCH, a non-profit organization that focuses on shark conservation.

🎬That’s a wrap!

Shoutout to the Heroes Behind the Scenes!
A huge round of applause for the dedicated volunteers bringing the Battle of Monmouth to life this weekend! 👏⚔️ From the soldiers in uniform to the camp cooks, musicians, and historians — your passion keeps history alive for all of us. 🙌

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

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

😎See you next week!

The Better With Age New Jersey team