Down the Shore

After a washout of a Memorial Day weekend, we’re writing this newsletter while enjoying a pint of Nicholas Creamery’s latest flavor: the Meg Things Banana Split.

A collab with NJ’s favorite foodie influencer never disappoints, delivering banana-flavored sweet cream with roasted pineapple, walnuts, chocolate chunks ,and maraschino cherries. Scoop one out for every MDW Kickoff Party that got rained out… 

Speaking of ice cream: has anyone tried Scoop N Scootery, and is it worth the line? Inquiring minds want to know, because even the downpours didn’t seem to curb people’s enthusiasm.

Most importantly, we want to take a moment this Memorial Day to honor the service members and military families in our local communities whose sacrifice we remember today. We’re looking forward to joining the Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony in Fair Haven — here’s a comprehensive list to see what’s happening in your town.

Shore Spotlight: Kerry Docherty

If there’s one thing a rainy weekend is good for, it’s curling up with a book. This week, we’re excited to feature an interview with author Kerry Docherty on her new memoir, Selfish.

Kerry co-founded lifestyle clothing brand Faherty alongside her husband Alex and his twin brother Mike. They also launched Sun and Waves Cafe in Spring Lake. As big fans of Kerry’s projects here at DTS, we were excited to dive in to her memoir and speak about challenging what it means to be “selfish”, finding creativity through taking beach walks in every season, and of course, her favorite Shore spots (which we strongly endorse ourselves).

Congratulations on your new book! Selfish reclaims a word that usually gets a bad rap. What made you want to challenge that idea for your memoir?

Selfish is a particularly activating word for women, especially because so many of us were raised under the framework that women are supposed to put everyone else's needs and desires over their own. The word selfless quite literally connotes "Less of a Self." This book chronicles my long and circuitous journey to refind my Self, to prioritize my needs, to share my truth, and to have MORE Self. 

How has reception been so far among the community you were hoping to reach with the book? Do you feel any topics are now talked about more openly?

I have felt so beautifully supported by the Jersey Shore community, and already so many more honest, intimate conversations have been had: whispers of "me too," and "I felt seen" particularly as it relates to family dynamics, marriage, motherhood, and creativity.

How has life at the shore shaped your creative point of view, whether in writing or building your brand, Faherty?

The ocean is truly my best friend. I walk it every day, regardless of the weather, looking for sea glass, taking deep breaths, and clearing out my mind. The landscape of the shore provides me with spaciousness and calm and I always return from beach walks feeling more innovative, creative, and clear-thinking.

People outside NJ often have their stereotypes about the Jersey Shore – what’s a common misconception about Shore life, and how would you describe it instead?

I think people have the misconception that the shore can be rowdy and crowded and dirty. I find it to be beautiful, relaxing, and community-oriented. 

What are some of your favorite spots in Monmouth County? Or in other words, where do you go when you want to be selfish for a bit ;)  

You'll find me everyday at the local cafe we started (Sun and Waves Cafe), perusing books at Thunder Road Books, looking for candles at Terra (on 3rd Ave), and grabbing fresh seafood at Spring Lake Seafood.

Shore Points

NJ Devil (and Olympic hero) Jack Hughes and singer Tate McRae spent Memorial Day weekend at the Shore, with sightings in Sea Girt (Rod’s), Spring Lake (The Parker House), and Spring Lake Heights (Spring Lake Tap House). Talk about a Jersey Shore hat trick.

The Jersey Shore’s 25 best new restaurants for 2026 - Stephanie Rizzolo rounds up 25 new and soon-to-open restaurants, including recent favorites we’ve tried like Olea and Vinnie’s Pan Pizza, alongside spots we’ve had our eyes on like Little Gem, Nagle’s Apothecary, The Drawing Room, and Marée.

Weekly Forecast

Just in time for us to go back to work after the three-day weekend, we’ve got sunnier skies and warm weather in the days ahead. At least we might be able to safely pack away our coats this time?

Monday 5/25 - 68°/58° Light Rain

Tuesday 5/26- 72°/64° Cloudy

Wednesday 5/27 - 75°/66° Cloudy

Thursday 5/28 - 77°/57° Sunny

Friday 5/29 - 69°/59° Partly Sunny

Saturday 5/30 - 65°/49° Partly Sunny

Sunday 5/31 - 71°/52° Partly Sunny

And for the surfers out there, here are the weekly surf conditions in Belmar courtesy of Surf Captain:

Farmers Market Roundup

• Holmdel, 5/27: Bell Works FRESH Farmers & Makers Market

• Brick: 5/30: Brick Farmers Market

• Asbury Park, 5/31: Asbury FRESH Farmers & Makers Market

• Howell, 5/31: Howell NJ Farmers Market

• Red Bank, 5/31: 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

This week we’re excited to profile not one, but two festivals: both the Monmouth Film Festival (at Bell Works) and Jersey Shore Greek Festival (in Ocean Township) begin on Friday. So whether you’re a film buff or just want a good gyro and baklava, you will have some great options!

And if you are a Bravo Summer House fan, Asbury Lanes will be hosting a watch party for the eagerly-awaited cringefest, er, reunion on Tuesday. Paige DeSorbo did recently say she was a “big Jersey Shore girl” now that she doesn’t have to go to the Hamptons…

As always, if there’s an upcoming event you’d like us to cover, feel free to pass it along!

Monday 5/25

Holmdel - Complimentary Intro to Pickleball Clinic with Jersey Pickleball Club at Bell Works (9:30 am)

Loch Arbor - Trivia Night at Deal Lake Bar + Co (7:30 pm)

Oceanport - Weekly Trivia at Skinny Flowers Brewing (6:30 pm

Red Bank - Jazz Arts Jam Sessions at Triumph Brewing (6 pm - live music)

Tuesday 5/26

Asbury Park - Summer House Reunion Watch Party at Asbury Lanes (8 pm)

Red Bank - Trivia with Jenn at Jamians (7:30 pm)

Wednesday 5/27

Asbury Park - Joe P at Low Dive (8 pm - live music)

Red Bank - AI IRL Coffee Meetup: Let’s Talk About Claude at the Residency, Anderson Market (9 am)

Red Bank - Karaoke at Jamians (8 pm)

Tinton Falls - Bingo & Brews at Twin Lights Brewing (6 pm)

Thursday 5/28

Asbury Park - Captain Cream & The Forest Fires at Low Dive (8 pm - live music)

Fair Haven - Author Event with Casey Scieszka at River Road Books (7 pm)

Holmdel - Latin Night feat. DJ Berbin at Bar Bella in Bell Works (6 pm - live music)

Red Bank - Kids Takeover at BroadWalk (4 pm)

Red Bank - Heroes Off Duty Comedy Tour at The Basie Center (7:30 pm - get tix)

Red Bank -  Skinny Amigo at Jamian’s (8 pm - live music)

Red Bank - Marty Hoski at The Molly Pitcher Inn (6 pm - live music)

Spring Lake - Author Event: Francesca Cocchi in conversation with author Courtney Preiss (6 pm - get tix)

Tinton Falls - Trivia on Tap at Twin Lights Brewing (7 pm)

Friday 5/29

Asbury Park - Girlbossanova Beauty, Cory Blair at Low Dive (9 pm - live music)

Holmdel -  Monmouth Film Festival (runs through Sunday, May 31)

Holmdel - Castles in the Sky at Fox Hollow Vineyard (6 pm - live music)

Loch Arbor - Quincy. Mumford at Deal Lake Bar + Co (5 pm - live music)

Manasquan - Big John & Lil Maria at Harpoon Willy’s (8:30 pm - live music)

Oceanport - Sean Collichio at Skinny Flowers Brewing (6 pm - live music)

Ocean Township - Jersey Shore Greek Festival at St. George Greek Orthodox Church (5 pm)

Red Bank - Electric Guns 4 Hire at Jamian’s (9 pm - live music)

Red Bank - Erez Lirov at The Molly Pitcher Inn (6 pm - live music)

Saturday 5/30

Holmdel - Disco Night feat. DJ Foggy Notion at Bar Bella in Bell Works (6 pm - live music)

Holmdel - Backbeat Trio at Fox Hollow Vineyard (2 pm - live music)

Lakewood - Jersey Shore BlueClaws vs. Frederick Keys (7:05 pm - get tix)

Loch Arbor - Brothers Morrisy Trio at Deal Lake Bar + Co (8 pm - live music)

Manasquan - Kids At Play at Harpoon Willy’s (8:30 pm - live music)

Oceanport - Jillian Rhys McCoy at Skinny Flowers Brewing (6 pm - live music)

Ocean Township - Jersey Shore Greek Festival at St. George Greek Orthodox Church (1 pm)

Red Bank - Eric Mason at Coffee Corral (10 am - live music)

Red Bank - Crazy Story Books Official Opening! (10 am)

Red Bank - Frank Rainey at The Molly Pitcher Inn (6 pm - live music)

Red Bank - Black Ties at Jamian’s (9 pm - live music)

Sandy Hook - Free Yoga on the Beach (8 am)

Tinton Falls - En Delirium at Twin Lights Brewing (6 pm - live music)

Sunday 5/31

Holmdel - Monmouth Film Festival at Bell Works (final day)

Holmdel - Mighty Burners at Fox Hollow Vineyard (2 pm - live music)

Lakewood - Jersey Shore BlueClaws vs. Frederick Keys (1:05 pm - get tix)

Ocean Township - Jersey Shore Greek Festival at St. George Greek Orthodox Church (12 pm)

Spring Lake - Evening with NYT Bestselling Author Steven Rowley at Thunder Road Books (4 pm - get tix)

Wall: Ducky Derby at Allaire Village (11 am)

On Deck

June 5th: Spring Lake : Evening with NYT Bestselling Author Mary Kay Andrews at Thunder Road Books (6 pm - get tix)

June 13th: Atlantic City: Jersey boy Nick Jonas at the Hard Rock Hotel (8 pm)

June 20th: Manalapan Township: Battle of Monmouth

June 27th: Red Bank: Red Bank Arts Festival (12 pm)

Did we miss an event? Let us know.

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