Little Silver orthodontist Dr. Gregory Coakley, of Two River Orthodontics, turned bags of Halloween candy into piles of money. Coakley offered patients $1 per pound for their candy, with modest expectations, and was overwhelmed at the response of more than 200 pounds of candy. The bounty is being distributed to troops serving overseas and a portion of the candy will be donated to Holiday Express in conjunction with the Little Silver PTO Holiday Express Candy Drive.
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Chapin Hill Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, 100 Chapin Ave., Red Bank, recently held a grand reopening to unveil new renovations at the facility. Attendees included Red Bank officials, county freeholders as well as Chapin Hill owner and administrator Zev Farkas. Renovations include a new rehabilitation unit, several rehab gyms, and an Activities of Daily Living suite to prepare residents for a safe and successful return home. For more information, call Jill at 732-741-8811.
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Tinton Falls Fire Company No. 1 will open its Christmas tree lot adjacent to the fire station at 695 Tinton Ave., noon Nov. 27. The annual tree lighting will be 5:30 p.m. Dec. 6 in Triangle Park/Town Square at the intersection of Tinton and Sycamore Avenues, near Tinton Falls Fire Company No. 1.
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River Road Books, 759 River Road, Fair Haven, will welcome author Elise Primavera at 2 p.m. Nov. 28. The creator of “Auntie Claus,” will discuss her newest character, “Louise the Big Cheese” at the free event.
The bookstore will hold a “Splendiferous Holiday Tea,” with seatings from 2:30-3:30 p.m., and 4-5 p.m. Dec. 3 at Kassie’s Fair Haven Grill, River Road. Attendees will be able to meet Fancy Nancy and do a craft. There will be tea and refreshments, and attendees receive the latest Fancy Nancy book, “Fancy Nancy Splendiferous Christmas!” To preregister for the book event or for fee information for the tea party, call 732-747-9455 or email [email protected].
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“Magi — A Christmas Chorale” featuring the reading and singing of a new musical based on O. Henry’s “The Gift of the Magi,” will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 11-13. The free event will be held at First Assembly of God, 220 Sycamore Ave., Shrewsbury. For more information, call the church at 732- 741-0048.
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Tower Hill Choir will present “The Promise of Light” annual Christmas concert at 7 p.m. Dec. 13 at First Presbyterian Church at Red Bank-Tower Hill, 255 Harding Road. The choir accompanied by an organist and pianist, will perform Joel Raney’s “The Promise of Light,” as well as “Born Today!,” by Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck, and Mendelssohn’s “There Shall a Star.” A free-will offering will be taken, and a reception will follow. For more information, call the church office at 732-747-1348.
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The Shrewsbury Chorale will present John Rutter’s “Magnificat” and Daniel Pinkham’s “Christmas Cantata,” 8 p.m. Dec. 12 at Christ Church, 90 Kings Highway, Middletown. The concert also includes Gustov Holsts’ “Christmas Day,” and T.L. Victoria’s “O magnum mysterium.” Advance tickets are $20, $17 seniors and students, and $8 children younger than age 12. Tickets at the door will be an increased price. For tickets and more information, call 732-776-5276.
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J. Crew at The Grove at Shrewsbury is hosting an event to benefit the Count Basie Theatre Foundation, Red Bank. Customers shopping Dec. 16 and 17 may receive 15 percent off purchases with a special invitation available online at www.countbasietheatre. org, and a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Basie. For more information, contact Rachel at 732-224-8778, ext. 118, or [email protected].
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The English-Speaking Union, Monmouth County Branch, will hold its English Christmas dinner, “A Feast of Fools,” 6:30 p.m. Dec. 4 at Rumson Country Club. The event will feature cocktails, dinner, wassail beverages, caroling and various foods such as roast beef and steamed pudding. Dress is formal, “foolish,” or “foolish formal.” Cost is $68 per guest and $62 per members. For more information, call Richard at 732-787- 2217.
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