The Lutheran Church of the Reformation in West Long Branch will dedicate yellow ribbons in memory of those who have served in the nation’s armed forces this Sunday. The ribbons will be placed on the evergreen tree in front of the church at 992 Broadway around 10:30 a.m. during the morning church service at 10:15 a.m. Each of the bows will have the name of an active duty, retired or deceased serviceperson printed on a patriotic ribbon. Among the names to appear on the ribbons is Capt. Benjamin W. Sammis, a Marine pilot who was killed in combat in Iraq a year ago. Sammis was married in the church to the former Stacey Dancisin, now of Alexandria, Va., whose mother, Joyce Dancisin, remains a member of the church.
The church currently has three members who are on active duty — Brig. Gen. Michael Mazzucchi, Maj. Eric Piatt and Sgt. 1st Class Scott Cheseldine. Mazzucchi, currently the second in command at the Communications-Electronics Command (CECOM) at Fort Monmouth, will become the commander of CECOM on June 25, succeeding Maj. Gen. William H. Russ. Mazzucchi is expected to be on hand for the placement of the ribbons. The ribbons will remain outside on the tree until Veterans Day.
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West Long Branch will hold a Memorial Day observance at 11 a.m. on Monday at the community center on Locust Avenue.
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St. Jerome Church in West Long Branch will hold a yard sale from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on June 5 at the church, 254 Wall St. The rain date is June 12. All proceeds go to St. Jerome Circle of Friends, whose mission is to spread kindness to the sick and needy.
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The Monmouth Beach Public Library kicks off its Wednesday children’s programs for June on June 2 with stories. On June 9 the program will feature a film, "Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People’s Ears and Other Tales." On June 16, a Father’s Day craft. On June 23, the topic is "Discover New Trails" — the Summer Reading Club kick-off. The month wraps up on June 30 with "Creative Drama."
The programs for children in grades K-4 will be held from 3:15-4:30 p.m. on June 2, 9 and 16 and from 10:30-11:15 a.m. on June 23 and 30. The preschool programs for youngsters age 3 to 5 years will take place from 1:30-2 p.m. on June 2, 9 and 16 and from 9:45-10:15 a.m. on June 23 and 30. Toddler storytime services for the wee ones, ages 2 1/2 to 3 1/2, will also be held from 10-10:20 a.m. on June 2, 9 and 16 and from 9:15-9:35 a.m. on June 23 and 30.
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The Monmouth Branch of the Lupus Foundation of America Inc., New Jersey chapter, will hold its monthly meeting at 7:30 p.m. on June 14 at the Eatontown Library, 33 Broad St., in Eatontown. Lupus is a chronic, inflammatory disease that afflicts an estimated 2 million Americans. The meeting is free and open to the public. For more information about the meeting or lupus, call the foundation in Elmwood Park at (973) 379-3226.
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The Eatontown Municipal Band will play tomorrow at the borough’s special service, planned by Eatontown Post 325 of the American Legion in connection with the dedication of the nation’s World War II memorial in Washington, D.C. The band will perform patriotic music at the 2 p.m. ceremony in Wampum Memorial Park.
Its next performance is scheduled for noon on June 12 at Fort Monmouth as part of Armed Forces weekend. The band will also participate in the borough’s Fourth of July celebration at Fort Monmouth at 8 p.m. on July 2.
Its summer concert series starts July 5 at the gazebo in Wampum Memorial Park, and will continue on each succeeding Monday in July. All summer concerts will begin at 8 p.m.
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Book reviewer Pat Squire will discuss a selection of 24 current books, all either by women or about women, at a meeting of the American Association of University Women, Northern Monmouth County Branch, on June 7 at the Monmouth Beach Cultural Center, 128 Ocean Ave. at Seacrest Road. Refreshments will be served at 7:30 p.m. and the program will start at 8 p.m. The list of books that will be discussed by Squire, who grew up in Red Bank, includes novels, history, poetry, memoirs, gardening, cooking, travel and spiritual life.
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The Monmouth Folk Dancers organization will teach folk dancing every Tuesday evening in Marine Park, Red Bank, from June 1-Aug. 31, weather permitting. The event is free and everyone is invited. No partners or experience is needed. Children’s dances will be taught from 7-8 p.m. and international folk dancing will continue from 8-10:30 p.m. The group teaches dances from many countries including Ireland, Israel, Russia, France, England, Scotland, Italy, Greece, Bulgaria, Turkey, Japan, Mexico, Romania and the United States. For more information call (732) 747-4831.
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An inspiring traveling exhibition from the Smithsonian, featuring photographs from the National Archives that celebrate the past 100 years of American life, has arrived at the Monmouth Museum at Brookdale Community College in the Lincroft section of Middletown. The exhibit will run through June 6. Images in the exhibit, "Picturing the Century," range from the Wright brothers’ first flight to construction of the Empire State Building, and from Omaha Beach to the Persian Gulf, and include breathtaking views of the American West, scenes of Rural America and emotion-filled portraits of urban blight.
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The 11th annual Oceans of Rhythm Festival will stage a musical on June 6 from 3-6 p.m. at the Lenna Conrow School, Long Branch Avenue, Long Branch.
The play was written by Basha Alade specifically for Long Branch. The main character travels from ancient Long Branch into modern times.
Admission is free and an ocean procession with an African Masquerade will follow. For more information, call (732) 571-6545 or (732) 290-8073.
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The Long Branch Historical Association will be presenting its sixth annual "Art in the Park" show on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
More than 75 artists have signed up, and there will be fine art, photography and free antique appraisals. A doo-wop Rock ’n’ Rhythm concert will be held at 3 p.m.
For more information, call Jo Ann Levin at (732) 229-9258. The rain date is scheduled for Monday.