• The Millstone Community Garden has plots available for 2017. A plot costs $25. Community plots for vegetables and fruit donated to local food banks are tended by the Master Gardeners of Monmouth County and community gardeners. Last year more than 650 pounds of fresh vegetables was donated to the Millstone Food Pantry and to the Open Door Food Pantry in Freehold. Volunteers are welcome. The garden is at 211 Millstone Road and is sponsored by the United Presbyterian Church of Millstone (gardeners do not have to be a member of the church). Details: www.millstonegarden.org, call Jeanette Kozak at 609-223-0010 or email Anne Haines at [email protected]
• Bob Mellert and Ellen Simonetti of the Rutgers Master Gardeners of Monmouth County will discuss herbal gardening at 7 p.m. March 14 at a meeting of the Allentown Garden Club. They will explore the general use of herbs and the proper growing conditions necessary to make them thrive. Space is limited. Registration is required by calling 609-259-7565.
• “What’s for Lunch,” a culinary demonstration of a healthy comforting lunch with Chef Jason Metz will be held at the St. Joseph Church Parish Hall, 91 Stillhouse Road, Millstone Township, from 12:30-3:30 p.m. March 19. Hosted by the Ladies of St. Joseph. Food themed gift basket raffle. Lunch and beverages served (BYOB). Tickets are $25 per person in advance, $30 at the door. All ladies in the community are welcome to attend. For reservations, call Rosalie, 732-490-5302.
• Join local favorites Casino Sundae, Dead Cowboys, Centennials and Jokers Republic along with Saints in the City (classic Asbury Park tribute) for an all New Jersey, all ages winter bash at the Stone Pony, Ocean Avenue, Asbury Park, on March 4. Show starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance, $12 at the door. Details: 732-502-0600.
• Siloam United Methodist Church, 67 Siloam Road, Freehold Township, will host its annual corned beef and cabbage dinner (and more) on March 11. Dinner will be served from 4-6 p.m. and will be served buffet style, all you can eat. The donation is $14 for adults and $7 for children 12 and under. All are welcome to attend. Details: 732-928-0193.
• An indoor flea market will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 11 at St. Stephen Ukrainian Catholic Church, 1344 White Oak Bottom Road, Toms River. Many and varied vendors, hot ethnic foods, 50/50 raffle. Handicapped accessible, free admission, free parking (located two streets north of Church Road between New Hampshire and Old Freehold roads). Details: 732-505-6053, leave message.
• The Monmouth County Genealogy Society will hold a spring workshop at the Colts Neck Reformed Church, 139 Route 537, Colts Neck, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 25. There will be four presentations. Pre-register to guarantee a printed handout; $20 for society members; $25 for non-members. Make checks payable to Monmouth County Genealogy Society and mail to: MCGS Education Committee, 19 Racquet Road, Wall, NJ 07719. Sign-in and late registration is at 8:30 a.m. March 25 ($25 and $30). Bring lunch; beverages and desserts will be provided. Details: 732-747-0090.
• The Jewish Heritage Museum of Monmouth County, Freehold Township, will offer “Make Your Own Purim Grogger” for children ages 4-6 (accompanied by an adult) and ages 7-15 from 1:30-3:30 p.m. March 5. Admission is $10 per child (includes materials). To reserve a space, call 732-252-6990.
• The YMCA of Western Monmouth County, Freehold Township, will host a pickleball tournament on March 16. The event is open to the community. Categories include men’s doubles, women’s doubles and mixed doubles. Entry is $30 per team or $15 per individual. Proceeds will benefit the YCares financial assistance program. Details: Ken Cardullo, 732-727-0704, ext. 305.
• Basket and Bag Bingo presented by the Cookstown Volunteer Fire Co. No. 1 Ladies Auxiliary will be held on April 8 at the New Egypt Elks, 105 Lakewood Road (Route 528), New Egypt. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., Bingo starts promptly at 7 p.m. Tickets: $30 per person. For tickets, call Karen Ivins at 609-668-2030.
• Registration is open for the 2017 HEWYBL spring flag football season. The league is open to players (boys and girls) ages 4 to 18. The registration deadline is March 21 and the season will run from early April until early June. Games are played at Hancock Field in East Windsor. HEWYBL flag football typically draws players from Allentown, Cranbury, East Windsor, Hamilton, Hightstown, Millstone Township , Robbinsville, West Windsor and other surrounding towns. Register online at www.HEWYBL.com. Select Register at the upper right corner of the screen and follow the instructions. Fees range from $75 to $180. Details: Email Eric Updegraff at [email protected]
• New Jersey Blood Services is in need of volunteers to work blood drives in Ocean and Monmouth counties. Tasks include assisting donors with registration, watching donors for post-donation reactions and responding to their needs. Details: Jan Zepka, 732-616-8741.
• Abraham Lincoln High School, Brooklyn, N.Y., Class of 1967 will reunite at 6 p.m. April 23 at Gargiulo’s Restaurant, Coney Island. Details: [email protected] or 917-363-2500 or David Coleman at 732-547-2340.
Items for the Datebook may be sent via email to [email protected]. Please submit items at least two weeks prior to a scheduled event.