Does anyone else feel like Halloween snuck up on us this year? Maybe it’s been the unseasonably warm weather until now, but we’re a little surprised that we’re already less than two weeks out.
To get into the spirit, we’ve done some * very legitimate * research on Monmouth County’s spookiest spots. If you have a favorite local ghost story or haunted hangout, write in and let us know!
History Lesson: Haunted Happenings
As you’ll recall from our history lessons celebrating America’s 250 this year, Monmouth County was a hotbed for Revolutionary War action, and now a hotbed for supernatural activity. Here are a few sites worth mentioning:
The Spy House: Also known as the Seabrook-Wilson House, this historic Port Monmouth home was originally constructed in 1720, though some sources place its origins as early as 1663. Legend has it that during the Revolutionary War, the house served as a tavern where the innkeeper coaxed secrets out of British troops after one too many drinks. (Does Washington’s beloved Lairds get the credit?!) One of its most famous ghosts is a British soldier known as “Captain Morgan” - although not of rum fame. Visitors have reported sudden drops in temperature in the basement where he was supposedly murdered, a sign that he is about to make an appearance. Eye, eye, Captain 👀
The Allen House
Built in 1710, this Shrewsbury landmark was the site of the “Allen House Massacre” in 1779, when it was known as the Blue Ball Tavern (they really needed to work on their naming back then). Loyalists raided the popular hangout for Continental troops, killing three soldiers and taking nine prisoner. Today, if you’re driving through the Four Corners intersection in Shrewsbury, be careful not to stop for any ghostly figures looking for an Uber after a tavern night gone wrong.
Sandy Hook Beach
There are too many intriguing aspects about Sandy Hook to count (Voodoo Bunkers? The grave of British soldiers? A nude beach?), but perhaps one of the creepiest is the tale of Captain Joshua Huddy. A Revolutionary War patriot, Huddy was hanged from a tall tree in Highlands overlooking Sandy Hook Bay. Legend has it he still wanders the shore, looking for British merchant vessels aiding the Loyalists. Someone should tell him there are plenty of abandoned Officers’ Houses where he can make himself at ease.
P.S. If you’re looking for more stories, Sandy Hook is hosting Haunted History of Sandy Hook events on October 23, 24, and 30 with Greg Caggiano of Ghosts on the Coast, including a paranormal investigation of the Spermaceti Lifesaving Station. Find out more here.
Word of Mouth
Here are three things we loved trying this weekend:
Little Andy’s Oklahoma Style Burger - New to Anderson Market, this West-Coast-style smash burger truck is now doing brick and mortar. The Oklahoma style features thin, crispy grilled onions melted into American cheese atop the patty. Next on our list from those who helm the spatulas: the LA Style with banana peppers.
Ricotta Pizza + Carbonara Balls - we returned to Pollara (they have highchairs now!) for a mix of indulgent and simple. We started with the fried carbonara, made with guanciale and pecorino, before moving on to the Ricotta Marinara pie. Think dollops of their housemade ricotta with a drizzle of olive oil on a foundation of fresh tomato sauce and a light sprinkling of parm and basil.
Fall Old Fashioned with Laird’s Apple Brandy - Mix two teaspoons of maple syrup with a few dashes of Angostura bitters. Add two ounces of Laird’s Apple Brandy (we used the 10th Generation). Complete with a large ice cube and garnish with an orange peel. Take a deep inhale, and you’ll feel like you’re seated around a bonfire on a crisp October night.
Weekly Forecast
Monday 10/19 - 61°/48° Sunny
Tuesday 10/20 - 66°/53° Sunny
Wednesday 10/21 - 55°/52° Rain Showers
Thursday 10/22 - 62°/51° Sunny
Friday 10/23 - 58°/48° Sunny
Saturday 10/24 - 56°/45° Sunny
Sunday 10/25 - 62°/45° Sunny
And for the surfers out there, here are the weekly surf conditions in Belmar courtesy of Surf Captain:
Surf Conditions | |
|---|---|
Mon 10/19 | AM: Choppy, 3-4+ ft PM: Choppy, 5-7 ft |
Tues 10/20 | AM: Choppy, 5-7 ft PM: Choppy, 5-8 ft |
Weds 10/21 | AM: Choppy, 6-8+ ft PM: Choppy, 6-8+ ft |
Thurs 10/22 | AM: Choppy, 5-7 ft PM: Choppy, 4-6+ ft |
Farmers Market Roundup
Holmdel, 10/21: Bell Works FRESH Farmers & Makers Market
Highlands, 10/24: Highlands Farmers Market
Red Bank, 10/25: The Galleria Red Bank Farmers Market
And if there are any markets we should definitely feature this season, let us know!
Happenings Down the Shore
A special shoutout to the Murder Mystery Dinner at The James Bradley this Saturday (details below). Sadly, we will be out of town over the weekend, but attended their summer murder mystery dinner and had a blast.
As always, if there’s an upcoming event you’d like us to cover, feel free to pass it along!
Monday 10/19
Belmar - Line Dancing Mondays at Beach Haus Brewing (6 pm)
Loch Arbour - Trivia Night at Deal Lake Bar + Co (7:30 pm)
Oceanport - Weekly Trivia at Skinny Flowers Brewing (6:30 pm)
Red Bank - Coasst x Josie Bo: The Makers Table No. 5 - Fall Tablescape Inspiration at The Residency, Anderson Market (6 pm - sign up here)
Tuesday 10/20
Asbury Park - Pat Foran and Friends at Asbury Park Brewing (7 pm - live music)
Belmar - Music Bingo Tuesdays at Beach Haus Brewing (7 pm)
Red Bank - Trivia with Jenn at Jamians (7:30 pm)
Wednesday 10/21
Holmdel - Bell Works Fresh Dog Costume Parade at Bell Works (3 pm - learn more)
Marlboro - The True Story of Sleepy Hollow with Michael Jesberger at Marlboro Public Library (6:30 pm - register here)
Point Pleasant Beach - KP Burke at Uncle Vinnies Comedy Club (8 pm - learn more)
Red Bank - Karaoke at Jamians (8 pm)
Spring Lake - Thunder Road Book Club: The Pirate Queen (6 pm - learn more)
Tinton Falls - Bingo & Brews at Twin Lights Brewing (6 pm)
Thursday 10/22
Asbury Park - Jackson Cole at Asbury Park Brewing (7 pm - live music)
Belmar - Trivia Night Thursdays at Beach Haus Brewing (7 pm)
Holmdel - Rooftop Yoga with Fitness Factory at Bell Works (8:30 am)
Holmdel - Sundown Sessions feat DJ Chelli at Bar Bella (6 pm - live music)
Red Bank - Complimentary Hallo-Wine Sampling at the Wine Cellar Red Bank (5 pm)
Red Bank - Marty Hoski at The Molly Pitcher Inn (6 pm - live music)
Red Bank - Witches Night Out (6 pm - learn more)
Red Bank - Laura’s Boys at Jamians (8 pm - live music)
Tinton Falls - Trivia on Tap at Twin Lights Brewing (7 pm)
Friday 10/23
Asbury Park - Earthwyrm at Asbury Park Brewing (7 pm - live music)
Asbury Park - Asbury Park Ghost Tours (8 pm - get tix)
Holmdel - Black Rose Band at Fox Hollow Vineyard (6 pm - live music)
Loch Arbour - Backbeat Trio at Deal Lake Bar + Co (5 pm - live music)
Manasquan - Mike Dalton at Harpoon Willy’s (7:30 pm - live music)
Oceanport - Burlap To Cashmere (Steve and John) at Skinny Flowers Brewing (6 pm - live music)
Point Pleasant Beach - Drew Dunn at Uncle Vinnies Comedy Club (8 pm - learn more)
Red Bank - Coasst x Coastline Marketing Content Editing Workshop at The Residency, Anderson Market (11 am - sign up here)
Red Bank - The Black Ties at Jamians (9 pm - live music)
Red Bank - Barbara King at The Molly Pitcher Inn (6 pm - live music)
Sandy Hook - Haunted History of Sandy Hook with historian Greg Caggiano & Ghosts on the Coast (7 pm - learn more)
Wall - Night of Frights at Allaire State Park (6 pm - get tix)
Saturday 10/24
Asbury Park - Tom Costello at Asbury Park Brewing (1 pm - live music)
Asbury Park - Asbury Park Ghost Tours (8 pm - get tix)
Bradley Beach - Murder Mystery Dinner at The James Bradley Hotel (6 pm - get tix)
Holmdel - Sundown Sessions at Bar Bella feat. DJ Bilo (5 pm - learn more)
Holmdel - Shayne and the People at Fox Hollow Vineyard (11 am - live music)
Loch Arbour - Kevin Hill at Deal Lake Bar + Co (8 pm - live music)
Manasquan - Rhyme or Reason at Harpoon Willy’s (7:30 pm - live music)
Manasquan - Squantober Fest (Craft Market, Food by Joe Leone’s and Beer Tent by The Committed Pig - learn more)
Oceanport - Jamie B. Gallagher at Skinny Flowers Brewing (6 pm - live music)
Red Bank - Radio Royalty at Jamians (9 pm - live music)
Red Bank - Frank Rainey at The Molly Pitcher Inn (6 pm - live music)
Sandy Hook - Haunted History of Sandy Hook with historian Greg Caggiano & Ghosts on the Coast (7 pm - learn more)
Shrewsbury - Fall Festival and Halloween Parade at The Grove (12-3 pm - learn more)
Tinton Falls - Twin Frights & Wicked Pints Halloween Party (6 pm - learn more)
Wall - Night of Frights at Allaire State Park (6 pm - get tix)
Sunday 10/25
Holmdel - Tommy LaBello Trio at Fox Hollow Vineyard (2 pm - live music)
Wall - All Hallow’s Eve Trick or Treating Celebration at Allaire Village (11 am - get tix)
Wall - Allaire Ghost Tours at Allaire Village (6 and 8 pm - get tix)
Did we miss an event? Let us know.
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