Members of Rolling Thunder Chapter 2 NJ ride along Broadway in Long Branch on their way to the Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial in Holmdel at the start of the fourth annual Veterans Day Memorial Ride and Fundraiser sponsored by Harley- Davidson/Buell of Long Branch on Nov. 11. CHRIS KELLY CPC Behavioral Healthcare will present “You Are What You Read: Recommended Reading by Successful Business Leaders” 7:30-10 a.m. Nov. 18 at the Sheraton Eatontown, 6 Industrial Way East. A panel of business leaders will share their top three favorite books and what they learned from them. Featured panelists are Jody Calendar of Calendar Communications, Carol Strang of OceanFirst Bank, and Don Norkus of Action Coach. The breakfast fee is $22. For details and to register, visit www.cpcbehavioral.org or call 732-935- 2222.
The Acting Conservatory, located in the Jersey ShoreArts Center, 66 South Main St., Ocean Grove, brings to life Louisa May Alcott’s classic novel about a family of women in Civil War-era New England, “Little Women.” The focus is on the March sisters, four young girls raised by their mother after their father leaves for battle as part of the UnionArmy. Shows are 8 p.m. Nov. 11, 12, 18 and 19. Tickets are $20 and available at http://coastalartists.ticketleap.com/littlewomen.
The winter meeting and luncheon for the Monmouth County Retired Educators Association will be held 11 a.m. Dec. 6 at The Shadowbrook in Shrewsbury. Bring an unwrapped toy or book for a local needy child to be distributed by the BRIDGES at the Shore program. Non-perishable food items are also being collected. Door prize tickets will be distributed for the donations. For reservations, call Nadine at 732-229-3257.
On Nov. 26, the IGA Nephropathy Foundation ofAmerica will hold its inaugural Pilgrim’s Plunge at Brighton Avenue Beach in Long Branch to raise awareness and funds for kidney disease research. Registration starts at 9 a.m. at the Celtic Cottage on Second Avenue in Long Branch. Parade to the water begins at 12:45 p.m., with the plunge at 1 p.m. Register at www.iganephropathy.org or pick up information at Surf Taco, Celtic Cottage or Sovereign Bank.
The Monmouth County Park System will host a Gingerbread House Contest 3-6 p.m. Dec. 11 at Tatum Park’s Red Hill Activity Center, Red Hill Road, Middletown. Competitors need not be limited to traditional gingerbread houses — bring a gingerbread train, sled or personal creation. Entry fee is $20. Pre-registration is required. Visit www.monmouthcountyparks.com or call 732-842-4000, ext 1. For persons with hearing impairment, the TTY/TDD number is 711. Not a baker? Come enjoy the display and vote for a favorite.
Cancer Support Community, Eatontown, is offering “Frankly Speaking About Cancer: Managing Side Effects with Medicine, Mind and Body” 1-2:30 p.m. Nov. 29 at Ocean Medical Center, Toms River. Donna Colabroy, RN, oncology clinical advocate, will describe ways to manage the various side effects of cancer treatment. Light refreshments will be served. All programs are offered free of charge to people affected by cancer. Call 732-578-9200 to register.
More than 120 artists and crafters will gather for two days of relaxed shopping Nov. 25 and 26, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, at the Monmouth Park Racetrack Grandstand in Oceanport. Handcrafted holiday decor, apparel, ornaments, candles, photography, pottery, jewelry and much more will be available. Details: www.kraftfairs.com.
The Holland-America Group brings together Dutch-speaking people in Central Jersey for three or four lunches annually at restaurants in Monmouth and Ocean counties and during a summer barbecue. A New Year’s Eve party for members will be held Jan. 1 at a member’s house in Freehold. Dutch-speaking people who are interested in joining the group should contact Arnold van Ruitenbeek at 732-361-1278 or email [email protected].
Brighton Memorial Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 2140, 255 Willow Ave., Long Branch, will hold its third Sunday of the month breakfast 8:30 a.m. to noon Nov. 20. It’s all you can eat for $7, including juice, eggs, waffles with or without ice cream, home fries, bacon, sausage or SOS, biscuit with gravy, pumpkin or regular pancakes, toast, coffee, tea and milk. Open to the public; everyone is welcome. Details 732-870- 2224.