It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting Gate between Spring Lake and Belmar in Belmar, NJ gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Belmar, NJ is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
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“Such an amazing company with employees who truly care about their business and those they”
“It is a pleasure to work for someone that genuinely respects caregivers for the job”
“I am a current client of this provider I can’t begin to tell to you how”
“I cannot thank Always Best Care enough for helping us find an ideal Assisted Living”
“I am a current client of this provider Your manager is always nice and flexible, and”
“I am a current client of this provider We are very happy with Always Best Care.”
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“I am a current client of this provider We hired Always Best Care two weeks ago”
“I just started using always best care for my dad The certified aids that came from the agency were fantastic This situation is new for myself and my dad For having no complaints from my dad is a plus So ty again for such an easy transition for my dad Much appreciated Susan”
“Such an amazing company with employees who truly care about their business and those they take care of. Caretakers are top notch and customer service is great and they are available whenever you need them.”
“It is a pleasure to work for someone that genuinely respects caregivers for the job we do!”
“I am a current client of this provider I can’t begin to tell to you how pleased I am with Always Best Care. Not only have they placed the perfect caregiver with my mother they also take care of the billing and when I need to speak to a receptionist they are always available. Thank you!!”
“I cannot thank Always Best Care enough for helping us find an ideal Assisted Living Facility for my mother. We moved to the city a month ago and had little idea about the local senior living communities. I’d like to thank the highly experienced and knowledgeable caregivers of Always Best Care for helping our family during the difficult time.”
“I am a current client of this provider Your manager is always nice and flexible, and the caregivers are sweet and wonderful”
“I am a current client of this provider We are very happy with Always Best Care. They do 24hr care, and the caregiver is excellent. I would recommend them.”
“I am a current client of this provider We have hired Always Best Care. We have them for 5 to 6 weeks now. My mother practically does everything herself, but sometimes they might fix her her lunch, there might be a little bit of shopping, and they take her to her appointment. My mother is fine. The hours are fine. She got the hours that she requested. I know she is being billed on her credit card. They have been very helpful and very cooperative. The women always call back.”
“I am a current client of this provider We hired Always Best Care two weeks ago for my mom. The woman comes in three days a week to assist my mother with doing the wash, keeping the house picked up, and just talking to her. She’s wonderful. We interviewed several people, and there was just something about the way they were organized in their presentation and their follow up. that impressed us. They were a level above the other ones that we spoke to. They really listen to you about your needs and work very hard to match the caregiver up with what you’re looking for. We were very impressed with them.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Maclearie Park in Belmar, NJ with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Brandl or visit Springsteen Telecaster Statue, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Belmar, NJ, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Belmar, NJ understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Belmar, NJ 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
BELMAR, NJ – A new sci-fi dramedy born at the Jersey Shore is lighting up the New York stage. The Glitch, written by Neptune City native Kipp Koenig and featuring Belmar’s own Hannah Doherty, is now running in a limited six-week Off-Broadway engagement at the Jerry Orbach Theater, The Theater Center (210 W. 50th St., New York, NY). The production opened on October 3 and will continue performances through November 2, 2025.Koenig began developing The Glitch during the pandemic as what he called a “creative experiment i...
BELMAR, NJ – A new sci-fi dramedy born at the Jersey Shore is lighting up the New York stage. The Glitch, written by Neptune City native Kipp Koenig and featuring Belmar’s own Hannah Doherty, is now running in a limited six-week Off-Broadway engagement at the Jerry Orbach Theater, The Theater Center (210 W. 50th St., New York, NY). The production opened on October 3 and will continue performances through November 2, 2025.
Koenig began developing The Glitch during the pandemic as what he called a “creative experiment in isolation.” “I’d been writing my whole life—children’s novels, screenplays, musicals—but I wanted to challenge myself to tell a powerful story with one set and a small cast,” Koenig said. “It started as a simple love story, but it evolved into something much deeper—about technology, spirituality, and how we become better versions of ourselves.”
The story follows Amy, a woman questioning her desire for motherhood who visits a futuristic lab that uses emotional AI to simulate a holographic teenager based on her and her partner’s DNA. When a malfunction reveals something extraordinary—the spirit of her future daughter—Amy must confront what it truly means to love, forgive, and change.
Koenig, who spent 35 years in technology before returning to writing full-time, was inspired by the rapid rise of artificial intelligence. “Most stories about AI lean dystopian, but my experience in the tech world showed me a different side,” he said. “There’s real potential for good—in healthcare, agriculture, and education—that’s just starting to surface. The Glitch is about that intersection between humanity and technology, about how AI might help us rediscover what’s best in ourselves.”
Long before reaching the New York stage, The Glitch was nurtured right here at the Belmar Arts Center, where Koenig first workshopped the script. “We started a small writers’ group, and there were just three of us meeting weekly,” he recalled. “We wrote scenes and read them aloud. At the end of the program, the Belmar Arts Center hosted a public reading, and the response was incredible. Someone stood up and said, ‘This play has to go out there right now.’ That moment changed everything for me.”
Koenig later brought The Glitch to the Asbury Park Theater Company, where a reading drew more than 100 people to the historic Ocean Grove High School auditorium. “It was clear the story resonated,” Koenig said. “People wanted to talk afterward about AI, metaphysics, and what it means to be alive. It felt like a conversation that belonged to this community.”
That community connection deepened when Koenig met Hannah Doherty, a Belmar native cast as Hailey, the holographic teenager at the center of the play. “When Hannah walked in to read, I was stunned,” Koenig said. “She was perfect for the role—smart, expressive, and full of life. Then I found out she lived just a mile away from me. I couldn’t believe it. I had to come all the way to New York to find an actor from right down the Shore.”
Doherty’s roots in theater run deep in the local community. She first performed as Peter Pan in a Belmar Elementary School production and later took the stage in Grease at Manasquan High School, where she discovered her passion for acting. “Playing Peter Pan was everything,” she said with a laugh. “I got to fly across the stage—well, sort of—and from then on, I was hooked. Then in high school, Grease was my whole world for months. That’s when I really knew I wanted to keep doing this.”
Now 20 years old, Doherty says performing Off-Broadway feels like a dream come true. “It’s honestly so wild,” she said. “I grew up going to the Belmar Arts Center where this play was first developed, and now I’m performing in it in New York City. Every time I step on stage, I think of all the people back home who helped me get here. It’s just… really special.”
Koenig added, “There’s something poetic about it—this play that was born in Belmar, developed along the Shore, and now performed by a Belmar actress in New York. It’s proof that creativity here can travel far.”
The production also stars Danielle Augustine as Amy, Jacquie Bonnet as Wendy, Sunny Makwana as Wyatt, and Amilia Shaw as Aurora. Scenic design is by Josh Oberlander, costumes by Danny Colon, lighting by Zack Lobel, and sound by Kipp Koenig and Bryan Kohl. Kayla Katona serves as stage manager, with publicity by Katie Rosin/Kampfire PR.
Koenig, a graduate of the University of Michigan, is a former technology executive whose screenplay Lost In His Prime won the Hollywood Gateway Screenwriting Competition. He continues to live and write in Neptune City, drawing inspiration from the Shore’s creative energy. “Belmar, Asbury Park, Neptune City—these towns are full of stories,” he said. “I want to keep developing new works right here at home.”
The Glitch runs approximately 100 minutes with no intermission. Tickets are $70 for premium seating and $50 for regular admission, available at www.theglitchplay.com.
Tune into "Shark Tank" next week to watch a Shore business owner pitch his high-protein dessert.Stephen Longo of Belmar, the founder of Orka Bar, will appear on the ABC show at 10 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22.The certified nutrition coach and beach volleyball player launched his frozen treat company in 2023 and produces his bars, which are made with egg whites, whey protein, light cream and dark chocolate, at the Asbury Park Food Collective, a commercial kitchen on Sewall Avenue.“I created Orka Bar because I w...
Tune into "Shark Tank" next week to watch a Shore business owner pitch his high-protein dessert.
Stephen Longo of Belmar, the founder of Orka Bar, will appear on the ABC show at 10 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22.
The certified nutrition coach and beach volleyball player launched his frozen treat company in 2023 and produces his bars, which are made with egg whites, whey protein, light cream and dark chocolate, at the Asbury Park Food Collective, a commercial kitchen on Sewall Avenue.
“I created Orka Bar because I wanted to prove you don’t have to compromise between taste and health,”Longo said in a news release. “We’re here to bring balance back to the freezer aisle.”
According to the release, "with its 'Shark Tank' debut, Orka Bar is preparing to take the leap from an emerging startup to a national brand."
The bar, which comes in flavors like cookies and cream, vanilla bean, raspberry, chocolate mousse and mint, is currently available online and at dozens of gyms and nutrition stores in Monmouth and Ocean counties and throughout the state.
"Shark Tank" is a reality show that features entrepreneurs pitching their businesses to a panel of wealthy investors known as "Sharks."
The show's 17th season premiered in September, with investors Barbara Corcoran, Daymond John, Kevin O'Leary, Robert Herjavec, Lori Griner and Daniel Lubetzky. Guest "Sharks" this season include Kendra Scott, Michael Strahan, Alexis Ohanian, Allison Ellsworth, Fawn Weaver, Chip and Joanna Gaines, and Rashaun Williams.
Orka Bar is not the first Shore business to appear on the show. Last year, the Brick-based muscle-soothing soap company Sorsoap received a $100,000 investment from Mark Cuban, and Topsail Steamer, a family-owned seafood pot business founded in South Carolina with a location on Long Beach Island, received $350,000 from Greiner and Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers founder Todd Graves.
Earlier this year, the Rinseroo, a shower hose attachment founded by Lisa Lane of Millstone Township, received a $340,000 investment. In 2021, Michael Sweigart secured a $600,000 deal for his pet hair remover, FurZapper.
Other New Jersey companies have appeared on the show as well. Atlantic City-based Mad Mutz mozzarella sticks, co-founded by Tony Boloney's founder Mike Hauke, landed a $150,000 deal in April. In 2024, Madison-based snack company Like Air received a $300,000 investment, and Newark-based RoboBurger, a burger vending machine, landed a $1.5 million deal.
In 2022, Sunflow, a Short Hills-based customizable beach chair company, landed a $1 million investment that ultimately fell through), and in 2012, Voorhees native Aaron Krause's scratch-free Scrub Daddy sponge received $200,000.
Sarah Griesemer joined the USA TODAY NETWORK in 2003 and has been writing all things food since 2014. Send restaurant tips to [email protected], and for more Jersey Shore food news, subscribe to our weekly Jersey Shore Eats newsletter.
Easing local windswell with lighter but still onshore winds. A few textured but semi-decent waves.Local ENE/E windswell fade through the day, but remains rideable for the floaty boards up to knee-thigh high, a few larger waist high peaks for Ocean County spots. We have light to gentle onshore E/ESE winds with lightly textured but still doable conditions midday. It is not great, but it is at least much more inviting than the several days of onshore winds we have upcoming.16th Ave., Belmar Surf...
Easing local windswell with lighter but still onshore winds. A few textured but semi-decent waves.
Local ENE/E windswell fade through the day, but remains rideable for the floaty boards up to knee-thigh high, a few larger waist high peaks for Ocean County spots. We have light to gentle onshore E/ESE winds with lightly textured but still doable conditions midday. It is not great, but it is at least much more inviting than the several days of onshore winds we have upcoming.
Manasquan gets all the attention, but this entire stretch is capable of ultra-hollow barrels. On a good southeast swell, there is plenty of room to spread out.
Across from Eastern Lines Surf Shop, 16th Ave. is the surfer's beach in Belmar. It breaks well on all swells and is a good spot to catch if it's not summer. If it is, prepare for a crowd. There are a million people in Belmar in the summer, and the water is no different. There is plenty of parking, which makes it that much easier... Read more
Easing local windswell with lighter but still onshore winds. A few textured but semi-decent waves.
Local ENE/E windswell fade through the day, but remains rideable for the floaty boards up to knee-thigh high, a few larger waist high peaks for Ocean County spots. We have light to gentle onshore E/ESE winds with lightly textured but still doable conditions midday. It is not great, but it is at least much more inviting than the several days of onshore winds we have upcoming.
The Gateway National Recreation Area in Sandy Hook boasts one of the few pointbreaks in New Jersey. Though usually smaller than the other well-known breaks in Monmouth County, The Cove is one of the best breaks in New Jersey when it's on. It's a long right point that takes a big S swell, but can occasionally pick up an easterly. It's not unusual to hear about a classic day of perfect rights going down at The Cove when almost every other break around was breaking left.
Brighton Avenue je... Read more
MANASQUAN, NJ — Heading out to a patch or field to pick the best or biggest pumpkin isn’t just about finding the perfect Halloween jack-o-lantern. It’s a seasonal activity blending nature, tradition and community, and there are several places around Manasquan-Belmar to create lasting memories with family and friends.Many pumpkin patches and fields offer complementary activities like hay rides, corn mazes and games for the kids. Picking your own pumpkin also is a good way to support the local farmers who grow them....
MANASQUAN, NJ — Heading out to a patch or field to pick the best or biggest pumpkin isn’t just about finding the perfect Halloween jack-o-lantern. It’s a seasonal activity blending nature, tradition and community, and there are several places around Manasquan-Belmar to create lasting memories with family and friends.
Many pumpkin patches and fields offer complementary activities like hay rides, corn mazes and games for the kids. Picking your own pumpkin also is a good way to support the local farmers who grow them.
Whether you plan to carve a jack-o’-lantern or just add some festive flair to your stoop, there are plenty of places to pick up a pumpkin near Manasquan-Belmar. Here are a few of our favorites:
Eastmont Orchards, 321 Route 537 Colts Neck, NJ 07722
Happy Day Farm, 106 Iron Ore Rd, Manalapan Township, NJ 07726
Battleview Orchards: 91 Wemrock Road, Freehold, NJ 07728
Giamerese Farm, 155 Fresh Ponds Road, East Brunswick, NJ 08816
In northwest New Jersey:
Mountain Creek’s 41st annual Oktoberfest: Every weekend through November 2 with the third annual Fall Fest, featuring scenic sky rides, Alpine Mountain Coaster rides, live music, guided hikes, giant lawn games, and seasonal snacks — all with unbeatable views of fall foliage in the Vernon Valley.
Heavenly Hill Farm, 451 NJ-94, Vernon Township, NJ 07462
Keep in mind that carving and baking pumpkins aren’t the same. The former are grown in fields to be large, more vibrantly colored, and relatively hollow. The watery flesh doesn’t have the same flavor found in baking pumpkins, which tend to be smaller, have thicker, harder-to-carve walls and sweeter flesh. For those, you’ll probably need to head to the grocery store.
Pumpkins for carving should appear sturdy and clean. Remember, this is the pumpkin that will be front and center on the porch for the Halloween season. Here are some tips for carving a perfect jack-o’-lantern from Warren Nash on YouTube, who shows a step-by-step process to make the perfect carve.
Pumpkin carving kits will go a long way in getting what you need. They typically include saws, a scooper, a drill and multiple patterns.
If you're looking for the items individually around the house, here's what you could use:
Steps
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