The Freehold branch of the American Association of University Women will meet at 7 p.m. on Oct. 8 at the West Freehold School, 100 Castronova Way, Freehold Township. Fraidy Reiss, the founder of Unchained At Last, will relate the story of her abusive arranged marriage in the ultra-Orthodox Jewish community at the age of 19. Her nonprofit organization is dedicated to helping women in arranged and forced marriages through free legal assistance and the social services needed to rebuild their lives. Details: 732-521-1672.
The Adult and Pediatric Dental Studio, 200 Bridge Plaza Drive, Manalapan, in partnership with Foodstock 2015, will be collecting nonperishable food items now through Oct. 16. Anyone who makes a donation is invited to a free Foodstock party from 1-7 p.m. Oct. 17 at the Colts Neck Fire Company, 88 Route 537 W., Colts Neck. The party will feature free food, drinks and live music. Details: 732-972-0611.
The Italian American Cultural Society of New Jersey will hold a dinner meeting at 7 p.m. on Oct. 8 at Spargo’s Grille, 130 Route 33, Manalapan. The cost is $35 for members and $45 for nonmembers. Cash is preferred; no credit cards accepted. Details: 917-709-8008 or 917-743-3311 or www.italianamericansnj.com.
Manalapan will hold a free paper shredding event on Oct. 10 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Franklin Lane commuter parking lot. This is a free service for Manalapan residents only. IDs will be checked. Bring old documents and confidential papers to be shredded. The Franklin Lane lot is behind the Gordons Corner Road bus stop on Route 9. Remove all metals and binder clips from paper. Maximum is 100 pounds of paper. Details: 732-446-9404
Freehold’s own 166-year-old masonic lodge, Olive Branch Lodge No. 16, will open its doors to the public on Oct. 10 from 9 a.m. to noon to answer questions about who the Freemasons are and what they do. All are invited to visit 2 Dutch Lane Road, Freehold, to learn the history behind this 700-year-old worldwide organization, its architecture, its traditions, its rituals, and why members place such a high value on community service and charity. Olive Branch Lodge No. 16 is the oldest continuous operating fraternal organization in Freehold and has about 180 members.
The Freehold Memorial Day Parade Committee in conjunction with T.G.I. Friday’s, Route 9, Freehold Township, will be running a benefit day for next year’s parade on Oct. 20 from noon to 10 p.m. The parade committee will receive 20 percent of a guest’s pre-tax, pre-liquor bill as a donation. Go to the parade website at www.freeholdmemorialdayparade.com to download the flier.
The Colts Neck Library, 1 Winthrop Drive, Colts Neck, will host a presentation and performance about singer-songwriter Neil Diamond on Oct. 10 from 2-4 p.m., featuring Phil Bruschi. He calls his performances “Musical Biography Programs” and discusses the singer or songwriter’s life and sings the entertainer’s songs. “I try to make it a discussion as much as possible and speak to anybody who has seen (Diamond) in concert or read about him,” Bruschi said. He said he has been performing at area libraries for four years, but this is the first time he will be performing in Colts Neck. “I have enjoyed doing this for four years and I appreciate people, like Stephanie Laurino, the branch manager, for welcoming me with open arms,” he said. Bruschi also performs at retirement communities and lifelong learning programs, and occasionally at colleges. He will perform his Frank Sinatra program at the Howell Library on Oct. 24.
The Chelsea at Manalapan, 445 Route 9 South, Manalapan, will host a free Medicare seminar for seniors at 12:30 p.m. Oct. 22. Open to all seniors. Reservations required by Oct. 20. Details: 732-972-6200.
The Freehold Public Library, East Main Street, Freehold, will host an ongoing toddler time at 10 a.m. starting Oct. 13. Beginning walkers through preschoolers are welcome to this class. This free event requires no registration or residency requirement.
Items for the Datebook may be sent via email to cbarcia@gmnews.com