Sue Gallagher’s 16 Fun and Affordable Things to Do Around Ocean County

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If you’re Harrogate Community Life Services Director Sue Gallagher, you often get asked about interesting things to do, including when there’s a blog to be written about affordable senior-friendly activities in Lakewood, Toms River, and the surrounding Ocean County. Fortunately, Sue always has a long list of ideas. Here are her 16 suggestions:

Lakewood

  1. Strand Theater
    See live theater, enjoy a musical act or attend an educational talk at this historic Vaudeville-era theater in downtown Lakewood, New Jersey.
  2. Ocean County Park (Rockefeller Estate)
    This 323-acre park offers a wide variety of free activities, including tennis, pickleball, fishing, and even a driving range. There are also miles of biking and walking trails.
  3. Lakewood BlueClaws
    Watch the Phillies’ future stars at a BlueClaws minor league game. Seniors who are Silver Sluggers eat free on Thursdays, and the grandkids can run the bases after every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday home game.

Toms River

  1. Jay and Linda Grunin Center at Ocean County Community College
    Featuring acts from around the globe, venerated artists, hometown musicians and unique entertainers.
  2. Robert J. Novins Planetarium
    One of the largest and most active planetariums in New Jersey, they offer shows about the night sky, solar system and universe for audiences of all ages.
  3. Academy for Lifelong Learning
    Retired seniors receive a FREE membership to the Academy for Lifelong Learning, and enjoy discounts on campus activities as well as reduced course tuition.
  4. Ocean County Historical Society
    Focused on keeping the rich, proud history of Ocean County alive, it’s a great place to research your genealogy or review their wide range of local artifacts.
  5. River Lady
    Enjoy lunch or dinner on an 85-foot paddle wheel riverboat while cruising the Toms River and Barnegat Bay.
  6. Double Trouble Park
    Tour Double Trouble Village – a preserved company town, sawmill and cranberry sorting and packing house – built in the Pine Barrens.
  7. Farmers Market
    February – May: During the winter and early spring, the market is held indoors at The Downtown Shops @ 53 Main on the first Wednesday of every month. June – November: The Farmers Market moves outdoors and is held every Wednesday. See their website for specific dates and times.
  8. Cruisin’ Downtown – Second Wednesday June through September.
    Bring your pre-1993 car or motorcycle to show off, or check out the area’s vintage rides.

Downtown Festivals

Toms River, New Jersey, hosts a variety of festivals featuring local musicians, artists, food vendors, and activities and rides for the grandkids.

  1. Chili and Salsa Cook-Off – Third Saturday in May
  2. Summer in the Streets – Third Saturday in July
  3. Wooden Boat Festival – Third Saturday in July
  4. Harvest Arts Festival – Third Saturday in October
  5. Christmas Tree Lighting – First Friday in December

At Harrogate, socializing is a big part of Living the 8 – our program that brings together eight dimensions of wellness to help residents live happier, more balanced lives.

To see some of the interesting activities we have going on, check out our upcoming events.

Understanding your senior living options.

Kevin Fletcher, Director of Sales and Marketing at Harrogate, can explain all the pros and cons of your senior living options in the Toms River, Lakewood and Ocean County area. His team of Life Care Consultants have helped hundreds of seniors just like you find the best option to fit their lifestyle and budget.

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Harrogate Weather Preparedness

To ensure we stay a fun-loving senior living community, we make disaster preparedness a top priority. As a new hurricane season approaches, Colorado State University recently issued its preliminary forecast. Their hurricane researchers expect a slightly above-average season, with 14 named storms. Seven of those are predicted to become hurricanes, and three are expected to be major hurricanes.

In 2017, three major hurricanes made landfall on American soil: Harvey, Irma and Maria. All three storms rank among the top five costliest hurricanes in U.S. history, with an estimated $265 billion in combined damage.

We plan for the unexpected

As a member of Life Care Services®, Harrogate reviews our staff training and all hurricane-related emergency preparedness planning well in advance of hurricane season.

At the first sign of inclement weather, we determine the storm’s potential to flood or otherwise damage our community. We then prepare a specific hurricane response and evacuation plan based on these predictions. We also establish a crisis communication plan to keep residents and their families updated.

Our plan includes:

  • Working with area communities or hotels in case an evacuation is necessary.
  • Giving residents emergency supply kits that contain clothing, toiletries, a flashlight, identification and other supplies.
  • Ordering two weeks’ worth of medication for each resident and updating medical information for staff use.
  • Ensuring a week’s supply of food and water is on hand for each resident.
  • Supplying enough generators in case of a power outage.
  • Making sure appropriate medical equipment is on site, such as oxygen tanks, tubes and stretchers.
  • Preparing families by going over disaster planning and supplying them with emergency phone numbers.

We’ll communicate evacuation locations to residents’ family members; families may also choose to evacuate residents themselves.

Hurricane Sandy

In 2012, Harrogate made the decision to shelter in place during Hurricane Sandy. Resident Lady Ramsdell decided to move to Harrogate seven days before the storm made landfall. She rode Sandy out with us; her house sustained significant damage, leaving behind more than four feet of seawater in her home. Now, no matter what the weather or the future holds, she’s glad she chose Harrogate:

If another hurricane comes along and I have to go through it, I’ll be very happy to be here where it’s friendly and safe. Lady Ramsdell, Harrogate resident

Thanks to our preparation and planning, Harrogate’s residents and community weathered the storm. Meanwhile, our surrounding community, Lakewood, reported over $18 million in losses.

Have a plan

Deciding if you should shelter in place or evacuate during any type of storm is difficult. The Red Cross offers a pamphlet for older adults outlining strategies and suggestions to make sure you’re prepared.

Or, to leave the worry and storm preparation to us, use our contact form to schedule a personal visit. We’ll tell you about our extreme weather preparations, the long-term security of Life Care, and all the activities you can participate in at Harrogate — rain or shine.