New Jersey Marine Sciences Consortium (NJMSC) is now accepting reservations for Hallow-Marine, a seasonal family event scheduled for Oct. 28 in the historic Fort Hancock District of Sandy Hook. Each guided experience lasts approximately 45 minutes. The tours will run 5-8 p.m.
Hallow-Marine is one of the NJMSC Education Department’s Family Investigate Science Hands-On (F.I.S.H.) fall programs, which offers a range of weekend activities that make learning about the wonders of the Jersey Shore fun and exciting. Hallow-Marine features guided tours of Sandy Hook, filled with Halloween surprises and scary thrills that focus on the coastal and shore environment. This year, participants will meet the Lost Pirates of Sandy Hook, discover weird and frightening facts about animals that lurk on the shore, and explore the mysterious marsh at twilight. The cost is $10 per person and children must be accompanied by an adult.
For more information or a printable registration form, visit NJMSC’s Hallow-Marine Web site at www.njmsc.org.
‘A Taste of Italy’ will be held Oct. 17
The Italian American Association of Monmouth County will host “A Taste of Italy” on Oct. 17, 7:30 p.m., at the Knights of Columbus Hall, Route 537, Freehold. Everyone is invited to attend and enjoy homemade Italian cuisine and Italian music.
Wine will be supplied by the Wine Room of Manalapan and there will be an auction table and a raffle. All attendees must be 21 or older to enter.
Admission is free to those who bring a tray of homemade Italian food, or $30 to those who do not bring a tray of food. One tray of homemade food qualifies free entry for a couple (husband and wife, boyfriend and girlfriend, or two friends).
For more information call Rob DeSalvatore, (201) 679-8535, or Cheryl Scuorzo, (732) 536-5832.
Art festival coming to Freehold Township
On Oct. 14 Around the Corner Art Center will be holding an art festival and sale in front of the Solomon house courtyard and newly fenced area at the Mount’s Corner shopping center, Route 537 and Wemrock Road, Freehold Township.
The festivities will feature a display area for the art center’s students to showcase their artwork. Art supply distributors and manufacturers will have representatives on hand to discuss their products and answer questions.
The local band Virago will perform. The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information call (732) 308-4666.
Knights of Columbus’ bicycle rodeo declared success
Knights of Columbus No. 6392, based in Marlboro, sponsored a Bicycle Rodeo in the parking lot of St. Leo’s Roman Catholic Church, Lincroft, on Sept. 23.
The event attracted more than 40 children and their families to learn about bicycle safety. Members of the Middletown Police Department were on hand to supervise and participate in the street ride that all riders were encouraged to take part in.
According to Michael Salsano and Frank Perrini, Knights of Columbus members and directors of the event, a 100-foot-long obstacle course taught five basic lessons of bicycle safety. The lessons reinforce that the road is constantly changing and it is important for riders to turn their head and look both ways before moving, to stop at all stop signs and at the end of each driveway, and to keep one’s balance over rough terrain.
Noontime Optimist Club announces members
The Noontime Optimist Club of Free-hold recently held an installation dinner at La Piazza restaurant, Freehold, to announce the start of its 2006-07 year. Diane Berger, of Freehold, was installed as president of the chapter for the new term. During its weekly luncheon meeting at Basile’s Restaurant, 536 Park Ave., Freehold, the full slate of officers was installed.
The new officers and Board of Directors are:
+ Vice presidents – Karen Calder, Laraine Walpole
+ Secretary – Carole Robinson
+ Treasurer – Sharon Goldman
+ Sergeant at arms – AnnDenise Rubino
+ Board members – Barbara Barnstead, Micki Benjamin, Tim Dowd, Barbara Kessler, Mindy Rosenthal, Patti Schrager and Pat Trafficante
The Noontime Optimist Club of Freehold is a nonprofit service club comprised of men and women from the Freehold area. The club conducts service projects throughout the year that benefit the youth of our community. The club meets at noon, every Wednesday, at Basile’s Restaurant, Freehold. New members welcome. For membership inquiries, contact The Noontime Optimist Club of Freehold, P.O. Box 52, Freehold 07728.
‘A-Tisket A-Tasket Gifts in a Basket’ brunch
The Monmouth Women’s Connection will hold a gift basket auction and brunch, featuring guest speaker, Billie Hughes Locke, Oct. 18 from 10 a.m. to noon, at Main Street Bistro, 30 E. Main St., Freehold. The basket auction will feature various themes and gift baskets. Proceeds go to Stonecroft Ministries.
Bille Hughes Locke, best-selling author of “More Than One Angel,” will speak about her story “Don’t Tell Me It’s Impossible.”
Reservations must be made by Oct. 13. Cost is $15. Complimentary nursery on premises. Contact Mary (732) 446-9503 or Janet (732) 446-9689.
Vendors and crafters sought for school fair
Southard School PTA is seeking vendors and crafters for its Fourth Annual Craft and Vendor Fair Nov. 18, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event will be held at the Southard School, 115 Kent Road, Howell (across from Wal-Mart’s side entrance). Details and applications: (732) 865-2048 or e-mail: [email protected].
Allentown High School class of 1986 reunion
The Allentown High School Class of 1986 will hold its 20-Year Reunion Nov. 4, at Martell’s Tiki Bar, Point Pleasant, from 7-11 p.m. Tickets are $75 per person and must be ordered by Sept. 8. Details: www.ahsreunion86.com or (609) 758-2956.
‘Cooper’ to visit park
system’s historic site
What’s a cooper? Find out when Tom Kelleher of Old Sturbridge Village visits Historic Walnford Farm, Walnford Road, Upper Freehold Township, on Oct. 15 from noon to 4 p.m. and demonstrates this almost forgotten trade during “More Than Barrels and Buckets.”
See Kelleher build a container using staves, hoops and historic tools. In the past, a cooper was a craftsman who built casks, barrels and buckets that were used for everything from shipping containers to storing liquids.
Admission and parking are free. For more information, call Historic Walnford at (609) 259-6275. For persons with hearing impairment, the TTY/TDD number is (732) 219-9484
Church cookbook offers family recipes
The Esther Circle women’s group of First United Methodist Church, Freehold, has collected the best recipes from group members, family and friends and compiled them into a hard-cover cookbook titled “This Side of Heaven.” The book contains 135 recipes, including appetizers, main dishes, desserts and more, and includes the contributor’s name. The project is part of the 175th anniversary of the church this year. For more information, call the church office at (732) 462-1745.
Historical memorabilia from Howell sought
Howell Senior Center’s History Club is seeking historical memorabilia of Howell Township for a program it is planning at the Howell Senior Center celebrating Howell’s history. Those with information to share can call Carol Zur, director of senior services, at (732) 938-4500, ext. 2550.
Annual Thompson Park Day Oct. 15
The Monmouth County Park System will hold its annual Thompson Park Day Oct. 15 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. at the park at 805 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft section of Middletown.
The event will feature activities such as an “amazing maize maze,” climbing wall, wagon rides and pumpkin painting. There will also be golf evaluations, various foods, a children’s costume parade, scarecrow contest, and arts and crafts. Children’s races feature a diaper derby, tot trot, pee wee run, and sack races.
Friends of the Parks will hold a “Strut Your Mutt” doggie costume contest. Entertainment will be provided by the Navesink Brass, and Project Packman, and there will also be a magic show, stiltwalker, puppet lady, and Macaroni Anne Cheeze.
Admission and parking are free. For more information, call the Park System at (732) 842-4000. The TDD number is 711.