- The Jackson library will host a paper cutting workshop with master paper cutting artist Hou-Tien Cheng on May 12 at 7 p.m. and on May 21 at 2 p.m. Cheng will demonstrate the traditional art of Chinese paper cutting. Attendees will learn tips and techniques to make their own creations. Workshops are for individuals 18 and older. All supplies will be provided. Advance registration is required. Call 732-928-4400.
- The Plumsted library will host Maker Monday: Mother’s Day, on May 2 from 3:30–4:30 p.m. Feeling crafty? Stop in to test your skills and create something unique for Mother’s Day. For children in grades 6-12. Details: 609-758-7888.
- The Plumsted library will show the film “Big Stone Gap” on May 6 at 2 p.m. The film is based on author Adriana Trigiani’s story of proud working people and their lives. The film stars Ashley Judd and is rated PG-13. Details: 609-758-7888.
- The Plumsted library will host Find Your Ancestor on May 9 at 6 p.m. Genealogy expert Dawn Heyson will share insights on how to search for one’s ancestors. Details: 609-758-7888.
- The Plumsted library will host a book café with author Lo Anne Mayer on May 16 at 3 p.m. Mayer will present her book “Celestial Conversations.” Light refreshments will be served. Books will be available for purchase. Details: 609-758-7888
• The Monmouth County Audubon Society will present a screening of the nature film “The Messenger” at 8 p.m. May 11 at the Knights of Columbus hall, 200 Fair Haven Road, Fair Haven. The public is welcome and admission is free.
“The Messenger” is about what birds have to tell people about the state of the Earth and people’s shared future. Seating is limited. Details:
http://www.monmouthaudubon.org
• The Spirit of the Jerseys State History Fair will be take place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 14 (rain or shine) at Monmouth Battlefield State Park, Route 33, Manalapan. The event is a historical festival for all ages. Five centuries of New Jersey’s history will be represented by exhibitors from all 21 New Jersey counties, plus Maryland, New York and Pennsylvania. Activities include 19th century baseball, plowing demonstrations, Lenape foodways, antique cars and historical figures from New Jersey’s past. There is a $10 parking fee. Details: www.njhistoryfair.org or call 732 462-9616.
• Center Players will hold open auditions for all roles in a production of Agatha Christie’s “And Then There Were None.” Needed are eight men and three women, ages 25 to 70. Auditions at Center Playhouse, 35, South St., Freehold, are May 1, 7-9 p.m. and May 2, 7:30-9 p.m. Must be able to hold some variety of English accent. Actors will read something of their own or from a provided script. Rehearsals start in mid-May, three nights a week. Performance dates are July 15 through Aug. 14. Details: www.centerplayers.org
• The Howell Public Works Department, in conjunction with the Howell Shade Tree Commission, will give away free tree seedlings on May 14 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The tree seedlings will be given away at the Howell public works garage, 278 Old Tavern Road, Howell.
• A multi-family community yard sale will be held at Jensen’s Deep Run community center on April 23 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. (rain or shine). The public is welcome to attend. The entrance to Jensen’s Deep Run is on Route 537, just east of the Route 537 and Route 539 intersection. After entering Jensen’s Deep Run, proceed to stop sign, community center is on the right, 20 Longview Trail, Cream Ridge (Plumsted Township).
• The Jackson Township Democratic Club will meet at 7:30 p.m. on the third Wednesday (May 18) of every month, unless otherwise noted, at Bella Terra, 2 Kathleen Drive, Jackson. All are welcome to attend the meeting.
• The United Republican Club of Howell is sponsoring a blood drive from April 25-30 at the Central Jersey Blood Center, 4068 Route 9 South, Howell Plaza (near Sears). To make an appointment, call 732-842-5750, ext. 264 or 241 and give the following sponsor code: SPON047315. Details: 732-773-5204.
• “Genealogy: It’s Not a Tree or a Chart, It’s a Story” will be the topic of the May 15 meeting of the Monmouth County Genealogy Society. Author and genealogist Maureen Wlodaczyk will explain how to breathe life into a family tree. The presentation will be at 1:30 p.m. at the Community Center, 72 Broad Street, Eatontown, and is free of charge. All are welcome to attend.
• Bat Shalom Hadassah of Jackson-Howell will sponsor a “Meet, Greet and Eat” event at the White Butterfly, County Line Road, Jackson, from 9-11 a.m. May 25. The cost of $22 per person includes an all-you-can-eat brunch buffet, demonstrations, workshops and fashions. Make check payable to Bat Shalom Hadassah and send to P. Guberman, 89 Cypress Point Lane, Jackson, NJ 08527.
• On May 1, the New Jersey Veterans Helping Veterans nationwide organization will hold a complimentary complete spaghetti dinner for veterans and current members of the military at the AMVETS Post 2, 1250 Toms River Road, Jackson. Veterans who are interested in attending may visit www.njvhvn.org (event page) and make a reservation. No tickets will be sold at the door. Guests are encouraged to join their veterans. Tickets are $5; children under 7 are $3. Military ID must be shown at the door. Details: Don O’Connell, 848-260-8400.
• The Veterans Community Alliance of New Jersey will sponsor “Fishing For Heroes” on the Royal Miss Belmar from 4:30-8:30 p.m. May 21. Attendees must be at the marina by 3:30 p.m. The cost is $105 per person and includes fishing rods, bait and food. There will be a Biggest Fish tournament and a 50/50 raffle. Details: 917-747-4312.
• The Taunton School PTA will host an outdoor flea market and food trucks event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 21 at the school, Taunton Road, Howell. Flea market participants, as well as vendors, crafters and food trucks are needed. Participants must provide their own table. Tables are $20 for Taunton PTA members and $35 for non-Taunton PTA members. Food truck spaces are $75. Details: 908-331-0645.
• Vendors are wanted for an Italian festival to be held from June 29 through July 2, 6-11 p.m., at Freehold Raceway. The event is sponsored by the Italian American Association of Monmouth County. There will be rides, games, entertainment, crafters and food. Details: Cheryl Scuorzo, 732-536-5832.
• Boy Scout Troop No. 515 will hold a pancake breakfast fundraiser at Howell Elks Lodge No. 2515, 84 Ramtown-Greenville Road, Howell. All you can eat pancakes, sausage, coffee, tea, orange juice. The breakfast will be May 1 from 8-11:30 a.m. Donation: Adults: $8; children under 12, $3; Children under 3, free.
• The Jackson Library will host retired professor Paul Zigo who will speak about Operation Barbarossa – the assault on the USSR by Nazi Germany that began on June 22, 1941, and lasted for the duration of World War II and claimed the life of 25 million Soviets. The event will take place at 7 p.m. May 11. The program is free and open to the public, but registration is requested by calling 732-928-4400, Option 4.
• The Jackson Writers Group will hold a spring showcase of local authors on May 14 from 1-4 p.m. at the Jackson Library, 2 Jackson Drive, Jackson. The keynote speaker will be Nikki Rae Colligan, the author of seven novels. All are invited to attend. Registration is required at www.theoceancountylibrary.org. The Jackson Writers Group meets on the fourth Thursday of every month from 6:30-9 p.m. Details: 732-928-4400.
• The Jackson Library, 2 Jackson Drive, Jackson, will host a free paper cutting workshop for adults from 7-8 p.m. May 12 and from 2-3 p.m. May 21. Master paper cutting artist Hou-Tien Cheng will lead this hands-on class and will demonstrate the traditional art of Chinese paper cutting. All supplies will be provided. Registration is required for limited spaces in this workshop. Details: 732-928-4400, option 4, or www.theoceancountylibrary.org
• Knights of Pythias, Grand Lodge Domain of New Jersey, invites men of all ages and from all communities to learn about the organization at a complimentary buffet breakfast and orientation to be held at 10 a.m. May 15 at the Monroe Township Senior Center, 12 Halsey Reed Road, Monroe Township. Guests will learn about the charitable work provided by the Knights and the social activities the group offers. Reservations are required. Details: 609-851-0914 or email [email protected]
• The Friends of the Plumsted Library will collect used books for a book sale. Donate fiction, nonfiction, large print, children’s books, CDs, DVDs, audio books, and puzzles. No soiled or mildewed items. No video tapes, Reader’s Digest condensed books, magazines or encyclopedias. Drop off books behind the Plumsted Library, 119 Evergreen Road, New Egypt, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the first Saturday of each month – May 7, June 4, Aug. 6, Sept. 3, and Oct. 1. Do not leave items if no one is present. Details: 609-758-0009 or 732-580-5600 or [email protected]
• The United Republican Club of Howell will meet at 7:30 p.m. May 17 at the Howell First Aid building, 16 Kent Road, Howell. All are welcome to attend. Details: 732-773-5204 or [email protected].
• The Jackson Township Municipal Utilities Authority will hold its public meetings at 5:30 p.m. in its administrative offices at 135 Manhattan St., Jackson, on the following dates in 2016: April 28, May 26, June 23, July 28, Aug. 25, Sept. 22, Oct. 27, Nov. 17, Dec. 15; and on the following dates in 2017: Jan. 26 and Feb. 2 (reorganization).
• The Alzheimer’s Association Caregiver Support Group for caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s or dementia will meet at 10 a.m. on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month at the Jackson Library, 2 Jackson Drive, Jackson. Details: 1-800-272-3900 or www.alz.org/nj
• The Jackson Library Knit-Chat-Chain is in need of yarn donations. All types of wool and synthetic yarn in any amount will be accepted. The group uses the donations to make small lap blankets, chemotherapy caps and newborn caps for patients at local health centers. The library is located at 2 Jackson Drive, Jackson. Details: 732-928-4400.
Items for the Datebook may be sent to [email protected]. Please submit items at least two weeks prior to a scheduled event.