Still Time for Joy

When is the last time you explored the night sky firsthand and looked at the moon and the stars? Watch this episode with beautiful images of the moon, the Milky Way, and more, to be inspired to get outside and look up. Jim Webster, president of the Astronomical Society of the Toms River Area (ASTRA), says we all should explore the night sky more often. ASTRA holds "Star Parties", where m...

Grief is an inevitable part of the caregiver journey, especially in dementia caregiving. Grief may not be acknowledged as people living with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia are still present, even as caregivers watch with despair as they slip away, often over the course of many years.  Caregivers also grieve the changes to their own lives, as dementia caregiving can quickly be...

When you think about techniques to reduce stress, holding your breath underwater may not immediately come to mind. But with proper training, free diving can provide both physical and mental health benefits, similar to meditation practices and yoga. Brandon Cadalzo, who grew up snorkeling and scuba diving at the New Jersey Shore, found free diving helped him deal with the trauma of working as a res...

Caregivers often are so busy scheduling appointments with doctors for their loved ones, and handling countless other caregiving tasks, that they wind up neglecting their own physical and emotional needs. This is not sustainable, and it leads to frustration, anger, and overwhelm. Caregivers need to shift their mindset and realize that their own needs are just as important as the needs of their love...

If you’re looking to instantly add a little more joy to your life, consider sending flowers, or buying some for yourself. Studies show gifting flowers boosts the mood of both sender and recipient, and also strengthens their bond. The sight and fragrance of beautiful, fresh flowers increases feel-good brain chemicals, too. Ken Malagiere, owner of Narcissus Florals in Toms River and Spring Lake, NJ,...

Spending time walking outdoors in the woods has so many benefits, for both our physical health and mental well-being. But many women are not comfortable hiking alone, so they miss out on this simple and affordable opportunity for both better health and more joy. Alexis Liastro formed the Facebook group “Ladies Only! NJ Hiking Group” in late 2020, to help connect women who love hiking. To date, the...

Watch this video for a list of some organizations seeking money, supplies, and volunteers to help with the disaster relief effort in Los Angeles, California. The deadly fires have left entire communities completely destroyed, and the need is enormous. If you're able to help, please do.  There are many organizations battling the wildfires and working in disaster relief that are in need of dona...

Caregiving for a loved one with dementia can be exhausting and overwhelming. It's important to learn to ask for help, and say "YES" when it's offered, even if the person filling in does tasks a bit differently than you. Watch this episode to learn a SMART way to ask for  help. Developed in the 1980s by George Doran for achieving goals, the SMART acronym stands for Specific, Mea...

The New Year provides all of us with a fresh start. It’s a great time to take a good look at your life and make some changes—big or small—if you're not happy with what you see. Watch this short preview of what we'll be covering in 2025 on "Still Time for Joy". You'll hear from experts about advocating for yourself as a caregiver, carving out time for your own mental and ph...

"Still Time for Joy" Host Sandra Levine shares highlights from the show's first season in this 2024 Year in Review. Some of her favorite guests share their wisdom about how living meaningful lives contributed to their sense of purpose, and brought them more joy. Guests include the world-renowned dementia expert, Teepa Snow; Phil Zimmerman, director, Ocean County, NJ, Veterans Servic...

During the holiday season—and all year 'round—it's easy to fall into the trap of thinking that happiness will come from buying the perfect gift or receiving the hottest new gadget. However, the research shows, happiness—or well-being—actually comes from cultivating meaningful relationships, enjoying rich experiences, and practicing kindness, compassion, and gratitude. Emiliana Simon-Thom...

John Benton is a tree expert who has been growing Christmas trees on his 10-acre farm in Chesterfield, NJ - with the help of his family - since 1987. In this informative story, he shares his deep love of trees, and the many benefits of choosing a real tree for Christmas--to the environment, wildlife, and the soul. Spruce Goose Christmas Tree Farm https://sprucegoosefarm.wordpress.com/ Sandra Levin...

It's heartbreaking and frustrating for both a person living with dementia and their caregiver as the disease progresses and communication becomes more difficult. Dementia can rob a person of the ability to speak clearly and understand speech.  Watch this video to learn nine tips for improving both verbal and nonverbal communication. It starts with awareness on the part of caregivers, remember...

In the 1980s, beaches in New Jersey and New York were forced to close due to garbage slicks, sewage sludge, medical waste, and other debris fouling the shore. For 40 years Cindy Zipf has been at the helm of Clean Ocean Action, an advocacy group that led the fight to stop ocean dumping.  In this informative interview, COA's executive director talks about the progress made in protecting NJ&apos...

The tiny fishing village of Peggy's Cove, Nova Scotia, with a year-round population of about 35 people, attracts as many as a million tourists a year, who come to visit the sea and the iconic lighthouse on the rocks. John Campbell, a lifelong resident of Peggy's Cove, and owner of The Sou'Wester Restaurant adjacent to the lighthouse, shares incredible, moving stories about his belov...

Director Kitty Norton discusses her film, "Wine, Women, & Dementia", in which family caregivers openly discuss the highs and lows of dementia caregiving. Norton traveled across the country talking to caregivers whom she had gotten to know through a blog she wrote while taking care of her mother, Gloria. Their stories are heartbreaking and hilarious, honest, and raw. Host Sandra Levin...

The holiday season—from Thanksgiving right through the New Year—can be a stressful time for everyone, especially family caregivers who are helping a loved one with dementia. Learn five simple tips to make the holidays more successful from Deb Hallisey, a certified dementia practitioner and caregiver advocate. From using effective communication to downsizing the group, Deb's practical advice w...

Guinness World Records once named Toms River, New Jersey's Halloween Parade the second largest in the world, behind only the one in New York City's Greenwich Village. This beloved parade which began in 1919, and has run most years since 1937, is organized by Toms River Volunteer Fire Company No. 1. Scary monsters, school marching bands, pets in costumes, and children of all ages walk the...

Turns out, it's true: ice cream CAN boost happiness, at least temporarily. Linda and Harry Muller started making ice cream for fun during the pandemic, then selling it from a street cart. Today, they run a popular shop on Main Street in Toms River, NJ, selling homemade ice cream and custard. Customers say the sweet, creamy treats make them happy, while the Mullers say that tackling this new v...

More than two weeks after Tropical Storm Helene devastated parts of North Carolina, damaged infrastructure means some residents in remote areas are still stranded. Volunteer pilots, many from the Jersey Aero Club in Lakewood, NJ, have flown more than 15 tons of food, medicine, diapers, and even body bags to small airports in the southeast. Relief workers there then deliver the supplies using horse...

Every April and October, Clean Ocean Action holds massive Beach Sweeps to rid the New Jersey Shore of all kinds of trash and debris. The nonprofit group has been advocating for the ocean for 40 years, and running Beach Sweeps for 39 years. (The fall 2024 date is October 19th.) Thousands of volunteers come out to rid the beaches of bottle caps, cans, styrofoam, tires, and other garbage. Participant...

Mary's Place by the Sea is a gorgeous wellness retreat in Ocean Grove, NJ, where women with cancer put their stress on pause to heal mind, body, and soul. Remarkably, all services are provided free of charge. Mary's Place was co-founded by Michele Gannon in 2009, and has served some 15,000 women in the past 15 years. Women with cancer receive services including oncology massage, reiki, n...

Ocean County Rutgers Master Gardeners hold their Fall Garden Days in Toms River, NJ, to talk to the public about all the activities that can be done in the garden, even after fall arrives. Susan Emhardt-Servidio, senior horticulturist and coordinator of the program, talks about the benefits of planting native species, composting, soil testing, cleaning your tools, and much more. Master Gardener Pr...

Boasting miles of easy walking trails and stunning views of the salt water marsh, Cattus Island County Park is a 530-acre oasis in Toms River, Ocean County, at the New Jersey Shore. The park is home to nesting ospreys each spring, offers opportunities for kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding, and educates visitors about native plants and wildlife in the Cooper Environmental Center.  Nikki Vernachi...

Yoga provides so many health benefits to both body and mind; adding a sunrise surf lesson at the New Jersey Shore makes the experience even more beautiful and beneficial.  Marissa McIntyre is the founder of Yoga del Soul in Toms River, NJ, which offers yoga classes for all levels. She and her partner Jeff Croteau run a Yoga-Surf camp during the warm weather in Seaside Park, NJ. I recently gave it...