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.

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Middletown Elks 2179 will hold its annual Hoop Shoot, a basketball free-throw contest, 9 a.m. Nov. 20 at Croydon Hall, Belford. This free program is sponsored by the National Elks Foundation and is open to children ages 8-13. All are welcome to enter, and may also bring a friend who would like to participate. Refreshments will be provided for all participants. Look for fliers around town, or call Richard Centanni at 732-673- 0417 for more information.

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The Brush and PaletteArt Guild will host a watercolor class with Dennis Magee 7-9 p.m. Nov. 29 at the Cullen Center in Hazlet, and continue on Dec. 6 and 13. The cost is $20 for all three classes. New members receive a free class series with $20 membership. Details: 732-888-0993 or www.BrushAndPalette.org.

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Temple Beth Ahm of Aberdeen, 550 Lloyd Road, Aberdeen, will host a community Hanukkah celebration 1-2:30 p.m. Dec. 4 for children 6 years and under. “Miss Judy” Wiskin, an early childhood educator for more than 30 years and favorite of many generations of children, will lead crafts, songs and stories. Refreshments will be served. The cost is $5 for each child and adult pair, with $3 for each additional adult. Bring a can of food to donate. This event is open to the public, but please RSVP by Nov. 28 at www.TBAED.org or 732-583-1010.

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Temple Shalom will hold a free screening and discussion of the film “Gasland” 7 p.m. Nov. 29 at the temple, 5 Ayrmont Lane, Aberdeen. This winner of an Emmy and a 2010 Sundance Film Festival Special Jury Prize focuses on the impact of hydraulic fracturing (hydrofracking) on our water supply and environment. The event is sponsored by the Social Action Committee and Green Team of Temple Shalom, along with Food and Water Watch NJ. Details: [email protected].

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Parents of Special People Inc. will host Parents of Autistic Children (POAC) in presenting “Helping Your Child/Student Develop the Language Skills Needed for Social Interaction — Getting to the Intraverbal” 7 p.m. Dec. 6 at Cambridge Park School, One Crest Way, Aberdeen. This workshop is free; registration is required at www.poac.net.

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The Monmouth Players will present Michael Hollinger’s “Opus” Dec. 2, 3, 9 and 10 at 8:15 p.m., and Dec. 4 and 11 at 2 p.m., at the Navesink Library Theater at the corner of Sears and Monmouth avenues in the Navesink section of Middletown. All tickets are $14. Coffee and desserts will be available before the show and during intermission. Reservations are required. Call 732-291-9211 or visit www.Monmouthplayers.org.

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Sisterhood of Temple Beth Ahm, 550 Lloyd Road, Aberdeen, will hold a Holiday Gift Boutique 6:30-9:30 p.m. Dec. 6, just in time for the holidays. There will be many one-of-a-kind items from local artisans and a wide selection of gift items including jewelry, invitations and stationery, chocolates, candles, sports memorabilia, art, kitchen tools, Judaica and much more. For more information, call the temple office at 732-583- 1700 or email [email protected].

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New Monmouth Elementary School’s fifth-grade class will hold its annual “Gifts Galore and a Whole Lot More” shopping night 7-10 p.m. Dec. 2. Get your holiday shopping done early and all in the convenience of one location. The school is located at 121 New Monmouth Road, Middletown. Details: 732 706-0852.

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Middletown Veterans of Foreign Wars and Ladies Auxiliary will conduct their annual Pearl Harbor Services at 2 p.m. Dec. 4 at the post home, 1 Veterans Lane and Route 36 (next to Foodtown), in Port Monmouth. All are welcome to pay tribute to the 2,403 men and women who perished on Dec. 7, 1941.

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Sisterhood of Temple Beth Ahm, Aberdeen, will hold its annual book fair 9 a.m.- 10 p.m. Dec. 11 at the Holmdel Barnes & Noble. Susan and Bill Berlin will read their book “The Kvetch Who Stole Hanukkah” at 11 a.m. Books will be available for purchase and signing. Any purchase made supports the Sisterhood of Temple Beth Ahm with mention before making purchase. To support online, visit BN.COM/bookfairs and enter ID 10570091 at checkout Dec. 11-15.

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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.

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