• Jackson PBA 168 will host a pig roast that is open to the public from 1-6 p.m. Sept. 9 at Pine Park, Clarence Brown picnic area, West County Line Road, Lakewood. This is a family event for all ages. All you can eat and drink (hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken, sausage, clams, pizza, salads, ice cream and more). Tickets are $30 for adults (21 and over) and $25 (ages 9-20). Children 8 and under are free. There is a $5 upcharge for walk-in admission. Tickets may be purchased from any Jackson police officer. There will be boardwalk games with prizes, inflatable rides, a rock wall, face painting and a gift auction. Live music by Undisputed.
• To commemorate the 500th anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation, the Jackson Library will present a lecture and interfaith dialogue with Tia Kolbaba, Department of Religion, Rutgers University, at 2 p.m. Oct. 12. Kolbaba will discuss the impact of the reformation on current day Christianity. The program is free and open to the public. Register now by calling 732-928-4400.
• The Monmouth County Park System will present an Eco-Elephant Family Flea Market from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 19 at the Dorbrook Recreation Area, Route 537, Colts Neck. There will be new items, collectibles, novelties, household items and more available for purchase. Details: 732-842-4000.
• The Rutgers Master Gardeners of Monmouth County and 4-H Youth Development Program will host the “Birds, Bugs and Beyond” festival from noon to 4 p.m. Aug. 19 at the Monmouth County Agricultural Building, 4000 Kozloski Road, Freehold Township. The theme is “Adventures in Nature” and the event will feature children’s activities with displays of insects, birds and other garden creatures. This is a free program. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Details: 732-431-7260.
• There will be an evening book discussion for adults at the Jackson Library on Sept. 5 at 7 p.m. Participants will share their insights about “Me Before You” by Jojo Moyes. The program is free and walk-ins are welcome. Details: 732-928-4400.
• There will be an afternoon book discussion for adults at the Jackson Library on Sept. 9 at 1 p.m. Participants will share their insights about “The Sisters Weiss” by Naomi Ragen. The program is free and walk-ins are welcome. Details: 732-928-4400.
• A session of Mindfulness Meditation: An Introduction will be held at the Jackson Library at 2 p.m. Sept. 11. The program is for adults. Open to beginners and the novice practitioner. Learn to relax and experience calmness, clarity and presence through guided exercises. Comfortable clothes required. The program is free. Register by calling 732-928-4400.
• New Jersey Migrant Worker: Story of a Migrant will be presented at the Jackson Library at 2 p.m. Sept. 16 for adults. Dory Dickson, director of Migrant Worker Outreach, will share stories and insights into the lives of migrant workers. The program is free. Register by calling 732-928-4400.
• Jackson Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4703 will host its annual picnic from noon to 5 p.m. Aug. 19 at the post home, 54 Magnolia Drive, Jackson. All are welcome to attend. Cost is $15 per person; children 10 and under are free. Live music by Full Tilt. Details: 732-928-0077.
• The Ardena Baptist Church, 593 Adelphia Road (Route 524), Howell, will present a picnic supper at 6 p.m. Aug. 27 and a Christian doo-wop concert at 7 p.m. featuring Walter Santos. All are welcome to attend this free event. Bring lawn chairs and blankets.
• The Jackson Library, 2 Jackson Drive, Jackson, is offering free career building programs for job seekers. All are welcome. Advance registration is required. Programs are: Sept. 7, 2-4 p.m., New Jersey Career Connections: Navigating the Path to Employment; Sept. 13, 7 p.m., Job Interview Preparation Strategies; Oct. 4, 2-4 p.m., Top-Notch Resumes I – The Basics; Oct. 16, 7-8 p.m., Career Connection: Dress for Success; Oct. 17, 10 a.m. to noon, New Jersey Career Connections: Navigating the Path to Employment; Oct. 25, 6-8:30 p.m., Job Fair, open to all; Oct. 30, 2-4 p.m., Top-Notch Resumes II – Advanced. To register for a program, call 732-928-4400.
• Basket and Bag Bingo will be presented by the Cookstown Volunteer Fire Co. No. 1 Ladies Auxiliary on Sept. 23 at the New Egypt Elks, 105 Lakewood Road (Route 528), New Egypt. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., Bingo starts at 7 p.m. Tickets: $30 per person. For tickets, call Karen Ivins at 609-668-2030.
• The Howell Alliance and Howell PAL will present the Hope for Howell vendor fair from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Aug. 16 at the Southard Community Enrichment Center, 115 Kent Road, Howell. Free admission. More than 30 vendors will be selling food, crafts, clothing, accessories and more. Children are welcome. There will be a DJ, bounce house, water slide and games. Proceeds benefit substance abuse prevention education and programs.
• The Desperados will perform in concert at the Jackson Library at 2 p.m. Aug. 19. The concert is for adults. The Desperados will play the greatest hits of the Eagles, Neil Young, Tom Petty and Fleetwood Mac. Free. Register by calling 732-928-4400.
• A session of coloring for adults will be held at the Jackson Library at 10 a.m. Aug. 29. Rediscover the joy of coloring. Coloring sheets and art supplies provided along with light refreshment and relaxing music. Free. Register by calling 732-928-4400.
• Designer Handbag Bingo will be held on Sept. 8 at Toms River Elks Lodge 1875, 600 Washington St., Toms River. Doors at 5 p.m., games at 7 p.m. The event will benefit CONTACT of Ocean and Monmouth Counties crisis intervention and suicide prevention hotline. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door; price includes four Bingo cards for each game with the option of purchasing additional cards. Details: 732-240-6104.
• Look for turtles, egrets, herons, ospreys and other wildlife during a boat tour of the Manasquan Reservoir, Howell. Each 45-minute tour leaves from the Visitor Center, Windeler Road, Howell. Tours are offered at the top of the hour from 2-5 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, May 6 through Sept. 4. Wednesday tours are offered at 2, 3 and 4 p.m. from July 5 through Aug. 30. Evening tours are offered on the first Friday of each month May through September; call 732-751-9453 as times vary for the evening tours. All tours are weather and water level dependent. The fee is $6 per adult and $4 per child age 12 and under.
• The Jackson Library’s knitting group, Knit-Chat-Chain, is seeking donations of yarn and wool. The members of the group create sweaters, hats, scarves and blankets to donate to charity. Yarn donations may be brought to the Circulation Desk during library hours: Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Details: 732-928-4400.
• 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.
• St. Aloysius Church, 935 Bennetts Mills Road, Jackson, offers support groups to help people better understand their feelings and to meet others who are dealing with the same life issues. A bereavement support group meets on the second Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m. and a divorced and separated support group meets on the fourth Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m. Both meetings are held in the parish office. A freewill donation of $5 is requested. Details: Email St [email protected].
Items for the Datebook may be sent to [email protected]. Please submit items at least two weeks prior to a scheduled event.