• A Make and Take Art Journal Workshop for children (4 and up; accompanied by an adult) will be held from 1:30-3:30 p.m. Oct. 16 at the Jewish Heritage Museum of Monmouth County, 310 Mounts Corner Drive, Freehold Township. Cost is $10 per child, materials included. Reservations (non-refundable) are recommended. Details: 732-252-6990.
• From now through Nov. 27, Girl Scouts in Monmouth and Ocean counties will sell nuts, candy, magazines and photo keepsake books. Customers may go online to buy any product sold nationwide during the fall product sale even if it is not available on the local order sheet. Customers should ask a Girl Scout for a link to her personal online store. Details: www.jerseyshoregirlscouts.com
• St. Peter’s Church, corner of Throckmorton and Main streets, Freehold, will host its annual holiday bazaar from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 19 and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 20. All are welcome to attend. There will be a silent auction (area attractions, restaurants, etc.), baked goods, handcrafted gifts and jewelry, and Historic Freehold afghans. Details: www.stpetersfreehold.org
• The Chelsea at Manalapan, 445 Route 9 south, Manalapan, will host a presentation from a newspaper consumer advocate reporter at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 20. A light dinner will be served. All are welcome. RSVP by Oct. 18. Details: 732-972-6200.
• A 5K walk/run and a children’s race will be held by Friends For Action to raise funds for the enhancement of the Manalapan Special Recreation Program. The run will be held at the Manalapan Recreation Center fitness trail on Oct. 15. Register by tennis courts beginning at 8 a.m. ($25 per adult, $10 per child under 10). The children’s race (under 10 years old) will start at 9 a.m. and the 5K will start at 9:30 a.m. Details: Joe Fezza, 212-882-1041.
• Center Players, Freehold, will hold open auditions on Oct. 25-26 for its “Signature Series” presentation of “I Do Love the Holidays … (sometimes),” written by Leslie Hochman and Dave McGrath, and directed by Hochman. The musical revue will be presented weekends from Dec. 9-18. Auditions: Oct. 25, 7-10 p.m., children (characters’ age range, 7-15; must sing); Oct. 26, 7-10 p.m., adults. There will be cold readings from the script. Details: centerplayers.org
• The Reformed Church of Freehold, 67 W. Main St., Freehold, will host a roast beef dinner open to the community on Nov. 5. A full course dinner will be served family style. Tickets are $18 for adults and $6 for children ages 6-12. Take-out dinners will be available. Tickets available at the door or through the church office. Details: 732-462-1717.
• The Gordons Corner Fire Company, 683 Tennent Road, Manalapan, will host an open house from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 15. Meet the volunteer firefighters who serve the community. Tour the firehouse and see fire vehicles. Equipment demonstrations. Refreshments. Applications will be available for individuals interested in becoming a firefighter or a junior firefighter, or joining the Fire Police. All are welcome to attend.
• Manalapan Arts Council will sponsor its third annual Halloween masquerade party for adults from 7:30-11:30 p.m. Oct. 29. at the Knob Hill Golf Club, Route 33, Manalapan. Prizes will be awarded for the best costumes. Tickets: $39 per person, include a buffet dinner. Cash bar available. To make a reservation, contact Irene at 732-446-8308.
• The parish of St. Robert Bellarmine, 61 Georgia Road, Freehold Township, is preparing to welcome Catholics who have not been actively practicing their faith at a Coffee and Conversation informal session on Oct. 15 at 2:30 p.m. Reservations are not necessary. Details: Call Catholic Conversation at 732-462-7429, ext. 160.
• The Freehold Memorial Day Parade Committee in conjunction with Federici’s Family Italian Restaurant, 14 E. Main St., Freehold, will run a benefit night for the 2017 parade all day on Oct. 18. The parade committee will receive 15 percent of a guest’s pre-tax, pre-liquor bill as a donation. Visit www.freeholdmemorialdayparade.com to download the flier.
• A benefit for Nicole Shubeck, 24, will be held at The Cabin, 984 Route 33, Howell, beginning at noon Oct. 16. Shubeck is battling diffused large cell lymphoma. During the event, 20 percent of food proceeds will be donated to the young woman. There will be live bands all day. Details: 732-462-3090.
• The Monmouth County Park System will host Quest for Fire from 10 a.m. to noon Oct. 23 at the Oak Point picnic shelter at Turkey Swamp Park, Freehold Township. This program looks at fire making from an anthropological perspective. Instructor Randall S. Chalnick will demonstrate fire making methods such as bamboo friction fire and bow and drill, and discuss how they have changed over time. An additional session is planned for Oct. 30. The cost of each session is $10 per person. Pre-registration is required; visit www.monmouthcountyparks.com or call 732-842-4000.
• Professor Maurice Mahler will present a lecture about the life and work of American writer, poet, feminist and playwright Gertrude Stein at the Jewish Heritage Museum of Monmouth County, Freehold Township, at 1 p.m. Nov. 9. Admission is $8 for museum members and $10 for non-members. To make a paid reservation (non-refundable), call 732-252-6990.
• “Bible Bingo,” a comedy with God, games and goofy prizes, will be presented live on stage at 8 p.m. Oct. 15 at Manalapan High School, Church Lane, Manalapan. Tickets are $30. Proceeds will benefit the St. Vincent de Paul Society of St. Thomas More Parish. For tickets, call 732-972-4181 or email [email protected]
• The Italian American Association of Monmouth County will host a day trip to the Reading Terminal Market Harvest Festival in Philadelphia on Oct. 15. Cost is $25 per person (includes bus transportation). Bus leaves at 8 a.m. from iPlay America, Freehold Township, and returns at approximately 6 p.m. All ages welcome on the trip. Details: Diana Cavaliere, 732-295-1666.
• Monmouth County Audubon Society will tour a banding station on Sandy Hook in northern Monmouth County to learn about the process. The group will meet at 8 a.m. Nov. 12 on Sandy Hook near M lot, the most northerly parking lot. Sandy Hook attracts migrating raptors, shorebirds and songbirds due to the abundance of food and areas of suitable habitat. Details: http://www.monmouthaudubon.org
• Naturalist George Nixon will present “Yellowstone: Land Between Fire and Water” at the Monmouth County Audubon Society meeting on Nov. 9 at 8 p.m. The program will be held at the Knights of Columbus hall, 200 Fair Haven Road, Fair Haven. The public is welcome; admission is free. Details: http://www.monmouthaudubon.org
• The Marlboro Jewish Center will sponsor an Israel Adventure for Women from June 25 through July 6, 2017. The tour will visit traditional and off-the-beaten-path sites, and include Shabbat in Jerusalem and a stop in Tel Aviv. The itinerary includes talks with Israeli women who will bring their experiences and passions to life. Details: [email protected]
• St. Mary’s Church, Colts Neck, will continue its “Light Up a Memory” tradition in 2016. For a contribution of $10 per light, individuals may sponsor a light in memory of someone deceased or in honor of a living person. There will be a tree lighting ceremony on Dec. 10 after the 4 p.m. Mass. All are welcome to participate. The deadline to reserve a light is Nov. 27. Details: 732-780-2666.
• Experience Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. as Rat Pack impersonators Tony Sands, Johnny Petillo and Geno Monroe will perform a mix of songs, comedy, sketches and musical arrangement from 7-9 p.m. Oct. 14 at Battleground Country Club, Manalapan. Tickets are $65. Call 732-462-7575. Details: www.ratpacktogetheragain.com.
• State Assembly members Eric Houghtaling and Joann Downey (both D-Monmouth) will host a blood drive from noon to 4 p.m. on Oct. 15 at their constituent outreach office, 35 W. Main St., Freehold. Walk-ins are welcome; appointments are available. Details: 732-333-0166.
• The Oasis Players cabaret troupe will return to the Jewish Heritage Museum of Monmouth County, Freehold Township, at 2 p.m. Oct. 23 to present songs from Jewish composers which have been nominated for or received an Academy Award. Admission is $18 for museum members and $20 for non-members. To make a reservation (non-refundable), call 732-252-6990.
• On Oct. 30, the Home Owners of Covered Bridge will host a health fair in the ballroom at Covered Bridge, 1 Amberly Drive, Manalapan. The event will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is free and open to the public. More than two dozen doctors and health providers will have displays, demonstrations and/or basic testing for visitors. Details: 732-536-0071.
• The Manalapan-Englishtown Regional School District Board of Education will meet on Oct. 18 at 7:30 p.m. for a regular action meeting. The meeting will be held at the district offices at 54 Main St., Englishtown, and is open to the public.
• Companion Animal Rescue and Education (CARE) will hold its next monthly puppy adoption event at Petco, 4345 Route 9 North, Freehold Township, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 15 (rescheduled from Oct. 8). To view puppies, visit www.carenj.com
• A clothing drive, car wash and vendor fair will be held on Oct. 22 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Barkalow Middle School, 498 Stillwells Corner Road, Freehold Township. Details: Email [email protected]
• The United Presbyterian Church of Millstone will host a yard sale and bake sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 15 (rain or shine). Details: 609-448-7181.
• The Battleground Historical Society will present its annual Soup Day from 1-3 p.m. Nov. 6 at the Village Inn, Water Street, Englishtown. Donation of $15; reservations required. Call Kathy at 732-679-4560 by Oct 19 as seating is limited.
• The Center for Jewish Life, Marlboro, will host an event for teenagers at 5:45 p.m. Oct. 20. Teens will be welcome to make their own custom sushi rolls in the sukkah. RSVP to 732-316-7600.
• The Center for Jewish Life, Marlboro, will host Simchas Torah Live at 6:45 p.m. Oct. 24. Dance with the Torah, flags for children, a holiday meal, and more. Cost: Adults, $55; Children (2-12), $30; complimentary for partner families with reservations. Reserve a seat by Oct. 14. Details: 732-316-7600.
• The Ladies of St. Joseph, Millstone Township, will sponsor a bus trip to Lancaster, Pa., for Sight & Sound Theatres’ presentation of “Samson” on Dec. 6. Bus departs from St. Joseph Church at 9 a.m. and returns at approximately 8:30 p.m. There will be a traditional Pennsylvania Dutch smorgasbord lunch at Shady Maple and shopping time after lunch. Cost is $125 per person. Details: Rosalie, 732-490-5302.
• PJ Library is offering a free music class at 10 a.m. Nov. 6 at Solomon Schechter Day School, Marlboro. Enjoy music and story time with children’s musician, and Solomon Schechter music teacher Mr. Sam. The class is for toddlers through age 8. The program is free and open to the public. RSVP required to [email protected]
• The Jewish Heritage Museum of Monmouth County, Freehold Township, will present a Children’s Make and Take Art Journal Workshop for children and adults to make and enjoy together. The workshop will be held from 1:30-3:30 p.m. Oct. 16. Materials are included; bring several family photos if possible. The fee is $10 per child and the workshop is appropriate for ages 4 and up, accompanied by an adult. To make a reservation (non-refundable), call 732-252-6990.
• A new cancer support group will meet on the second Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. at Monmouth Worship Center, 37 Vanderburg Road, Marlboro. A prayer group will meet at 8:30 p.m. Details: 732-332-9600.
• Manalapan MRC-CERT will collect used and old clothing and other household items on Oct. 15 from 10 a.m. to noon at town hall, Route 522. Items to be accepted include clothing, garments and accessories, shoes, linen (towels, sheets, blankets, small rugs, mats), small electric appliances. Pick-up of items may be able to be arranged. Details: 732-446-8345.
• The Manalapan Board of Health will sponsor a free rabies immunization clinic for dogs and cats on Nov. 5 from 9-11:30 a.m. in the Manalapan Recreation Center, Route 522, at the new expansion building by Field K and the spray park. The best entrance to this area of the rec center is the western entrance. Dogs must be on a leash and cats must be in a carrier. Details: 732-446-8345.
• 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 Millstone Elks will host their first Antique and Classic Car Show from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 15 at the Millstone Township Middle School, 5 Dawson Ct., Millstone Township. All years, makes and models welcome; $15 pre-registration, $20 day of show. Free admission to all spectators. Proceeds to benefit children with special needs. Music by Wolfman Jerry. Details: 732-637-8720.
• A Harvest Fest will be held from 12:30-3:30 p.m. Oct. 15 at the Baird homestead, 24 Baird Road, Millstone Township. Pumpkin and house tour with $5 admission. Face art, pumpkin patch, games, arts and crafts, petting zoo, hay ride and entertainment. Details: www.mtfriendsofhistory.org
• 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 (Nov. 3; no meeting in October) at the Jack Aaronson Conference Center at CentraState Medical Center, Freehold Township. Details: 732-462-8304, after 10 a.m.
• 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.