• On Sept. 20, Brandeis University Professor Thomas Doherty will speak about The Great American (Television) Novel. Doherty is a professor of American Studies and a cultural historian with special interests in Hollywood cinema. The luncheon in Freehold Township is sponsored by the New Jersey Region of the Brandeis National Committee. Proceeds will support research into neurodegenerative diseases. Cost: $50 for BNC members; $60 for the general public. Details: Audrey, 732-254-3235.
• Jersey Coast Sport Fliers, one of the largest remote control model airplane clubs in New Jersey, will host an open house at its flying field in Dorbrook Park, Route 537, Colts Neck, from noon to 3 p.m. Aug. 13. Club members will provide remote control flying demonstrations and a display of model airplanes. Club members will be available to talk about the hobby. Details: www.jcsportfliers.org
• Companion Animal Rescue and Education (CARE) will hold a puppy adoption event at Petco, 4345 Route 9 North, Freehold Township, on Aug. 13 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Details: www.carenj.com
• The 15th annual Walk With Joe, a memorial 5-kilometer walk, will be held at 10 a.m. Sept. 10 at Monmouth Battlefield State Park, Route 33, Manalapan. The walk honors Joe Driscoll, Christopher Gray and Tom McCann, area residents who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001. All proceeds from the event are donated to local charities and nonprofit organizations. Details: www.walkwithjoe.com
• The Freehold Township Education Foundation will host its fifth annual Monte Carlo Night fundraiser from 6-11 p.m. Nov. 18 at the Eagle Oaks Country Club, Howell. There will be casino games, a gift basket auction and a silent auction. Tickets are $84 to $100. Proceeds from the fundraiser will support the Freehold Township K-8 School District. Visit www.ftefnj.org to register.
• The Italian American Cultural Society of New Jersey will hold its August dinner meeting on Aug. 11 at 7 p.m. at Lemon Mediterranean Restaurant, 3475 Route 9, Freehold. The restaurant is BYOB. The cost is $35 per person for members and $45 for non-members. Cash is preferred, no credit cards. For more information and to reserve seating, call Anthony Grassi at 917-743-3311 or Richard Favara at 732-861-9465.
• Lightbridge Academy, 1 Schlechtweg Way, Freehold Township, will host an open house week from Aug. 8-12 from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Call for evening hours. Lightbridge Academy offers infant, toddler and pre-kindergarten programs. Details: 732-303-9600.
• The Monmouth County Retired Educators Association is sponsoring a Members and Family Picnic at Oak Tree Lodge, Wall Township, on Sept. 8 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be a picnic lunch, entertainment, games and activities, and socializing with friends and former colleagues. Fee for association members is $5, non-members, $35. Children under 5 are free. Guests between the ages of 5 and 11 are $15 per person. Details: Sue, 732 995-7754, before Aug. 18.
• New Jersey Blood Services, which supplies blood products and services to 60 hospitals throughout the state, is in need of volunteers at blood drives. Volunteers assist donors with registration, escorting and canteen duties, and watch for post-donation reactions. Details: R. Jan Zepka, 732-616-8741.
• The Essential Tremor Support Group meets from 7-9 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month (Sept. 1) at the Jack Aaronson Conference Center at CentraState Medical Center, Freehold Township. Details: 732-462-8304, after 10 a.m.
• A discussion about “How to Claim and Maximize Social Security Benefits” will take place from 12:30-2:30 p.m. Aug. 16 at St. Robert Bellarmine Parish Center, 61 Georgia Road, Freehold Township. John Ramus, a claims specialist with the Social Security office, Neptune, will provide information. The free discussion will be hosted by Kathy Lo Bue, managing director, Glen Eagle Advisors. Adults of all ages invited. Refreshments provided. RSVP to 732-866-6660.
• The Monmouth County Audubon Society will host a bird walk to look for nesters and shorebirds on Sandy Hook in northern Monmouth County. The walk is scheduled for 6 p.m. Aug. 18. The trip is open to members and non-members of the Audubon Society and participation is free. Advance registration is not required. Pets are not permitted. Anyone interested in participating can meet at 6 p.m. in Parking Lot M. Details: http://www.monmouthaudubon.org/field_trips.htm/
• A flea market and trash and treasure sale will be held by the Old Brick Church, 490 Route 520, Marlboro, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 24. A wide variety of items will be available for sale along with a lunch menu and home-baked goods. Spaces are now available to the public for $15. Details: Sharon, 732-264-3046.
• The Manalapan-Englishtown Regional School District Board of Education will meet at 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 23 for a regular action meeting at 54 Main St., Englishtown. Details: 732-786-2500.
• Seniors who graduated from Freehold Regional High School, Freehold Borough, and Southern Freehold Regional High School, Howell, in June 1966 will get together from Aug. 26-28 for a combined 50-year reunion. The seniors who graduated in 1966 spent their freshman and sophomore years together in Freehold Borough, before Southern Freehold Regional opened in September 1964 and the class was divided. There will be a combined reunion from 6-11 p.m. Aug. 27 at the American Hotel, Freehold. To make a reservation, contact Donna Cusworth Hansen at [email protected] for Southern Freehold Regional or Steve Herr at [email protected] for Freehold Regional.
• The Freehold Borough Arts Council will publish its first community cookbook with recipes from residents and restaurants. Proceeds will support local arts. Interested individuals may submit a favorite family recipe and an anecdote about the recipe. Categories are appetizers, soups, salads, vegetables, entrees and desserts. To receive a submission form, email [email protected] or call Dru-Anne Palaima at 732-598-4539.
• The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance will meet in the spiritual center of St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, 1 Phalanx Road, Colts Neck, from 7:30-9 p.m. every Thursday. Details: 732-536-5826 or 732-320-0029.
Items for the Datebook may be sent via email to [email protected]. Please send items at least two weeks prior to a scheduled event.