• The Standardbred Retirement Foundation has scheduled a meet and greet and tack sale from 6-8 p.m. July 9 at 43 Arneytown-Hornerstown Road, Cream Ridge. Approximately 60 horses will be on hand to greet guests, some in demonstrations, all available for adoption. A tack sale will also be held and there is no charge for guests to set up to sell their own items. Guests should bring their own table. Should there be a change due to weather, it will be posted on SRF’s Facebook page and on SRF’s website at AdoptaHorse.org. Details: 732 446-4422.
• June Programs at the Plumsted library include the following: Read to the Dogs, June 13 at 4 p.m. Children can practice their reading skills by reading a story to a therapy dog; Babies at Play, June 14 at 10:30 a.m. Join library staff for songs, bounces, rhymes and stories. The program is for babies up to 18 months with a caregiver; Coloring for Adults, June 14 at 11:15 a.m. Rediscover the joy of coloring. Coloring sheets and art supplies will be provided, with light refreshments and relaxing music; Toddlertime, June 21 at 10:30 a.m. Toddlers ages 18 to 36 months and their caregivers are welcome to join library staff for stories, songs, and a craft; Parachute Playtime, June 23 at 1:30 p.m. Join library staff for parachute playtime. Ages 3 to 5 with a caregiver; Mini Golf, June 29 from at 7–8:30 p.m. Join library staff for mini golf at the library. Details: 609-758-7888.
• The Monmouth County Fair will be held at the East Freehold Showgrounds, Kozloski Road, Freehold Township, from July 27-31. Hours are 5-11 p.m. July 27-29; 3-11 p.m. July 30; and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 31. There will be Kids’ Zone rides in the outdoor entertainment area, a trapeze act, Bwana Jim, racing pigs, home and garden competitions, vendor displays, food, entertainment and more. General admission is $8 per person. Children 12 and under are admitted free at all times. Details: 732-842-4000.
• A used book sale will be held on June 24 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and June 25 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the New Egypt Elementary School, 44 N. Main St., New Egypt. There will be books for all ages, plus jigsaw puzzles, CDs and DVDs. The book sale will benefit the Friends of the Plumsted Library. There will be a special “Kids Time Only” on June 23 from noon to 6 p.m. (adults must be accompanied by a child). Only children’s books will be sold on June 23. Details: 609-758-0009 or 732-580-5600.
• The Howell library will host special programs for children and families during June. All ages are invited to meet Fez and Indy as the library celebrates Horse Month. Children will learn about mustangs and standardbred horses and can brush and touch each animal. No registration is required. Fez and Indy will visit the library from 4:30-5:30 p.m. June 22. Students in grades four through six will be activating their imaginations in the world of Minecraft from 11-11:45 a.m. June 25. Registration is required and can be completed at http://bit.ly/1jeHPFd. Finally, Ronald McDonald will be “checking out” the library from 10:30-11 a.m. June 16. Help Ronald make the world a happier place by bringing him a smile. No registration is required.
• 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 – 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 Plumsted library, 119 Evergreen Road, will host the following events in June: Quilting, June 21 at 1 p.m. Join the Plumsted quilting club. Bring new and old projects to work on. Beginners welcome; Babies at Play, June 14 at 10:30 a.m. Join library staff for songs, bounces, rhymes and stories. For babies up to 18 months with caregiver; Parachute Playtime, June 23 at 1:30 p.m. For children ages 3-5 with a caregiver. Details: 609-758-7888.
• The Jackson Premium Outlets, Route 537, Jackson, will present a summer concert series every Saturday from 1-4 p.m., weather permitting, outside the food court. The series began on May 28 and will conclude on Sept. 3. All performances are free and open to the public. Live performances will range from summer tunes to bluegrass, classic rock and pop.
• The Shrewsbury Chorale will present an evening of fine dining, entertainment and prizes at its gift auction fundraiser, The Chorale Goes to the Opera, on June 14 at 5:30 p.m. at St. George’s Greek Orthodox Church, 1033 West Park Ave., Ocean Township. Dinner catered by Buona Sera. BYOB. Advance reservations are required. Cost is $55. Details: 732-747-1362.
• 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: 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 Monmouth County Retired Educators Association will meet at 11 a.m. June 14 at the Spring Lake Manor, Spring Lake. Installation of officers will take place and the annual Philanthropic Award will be presented. Members are asked to bring a non-perishable donation for the local food bank. The association is collecting school supplies to include in fall backpacks for needy children. For luncheon reservations, call Sue at 732-995-7754 or email [email protected] before June 3. New members are welcome.
• The Jackson Township Democratic Club will meet at 7:30 p.m. on the third Wednesday (June 15) of every month, unless otherwise noted, at Bella Terra, 2 Kathleen Drive, Jackson. All are welcome to attend the meeting.
• 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.
• 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
Items for the Datebook may be sent to [email protected]. Please submit items at least two weeks prior to a scheduled event.