• Freehold Elks Lodge 1454, 73 E. Main St., Freehold, will host its monthly breakfast from 9 a.m. to noon Sept. 17. Made to order breakfast – all you can eat. Adults: $9; children under 12, $5. All are welcome to attend. Details: 732-431-8707.
• Temple Rodeph Torah of Marlboro is inviting active duty servicemen and servicewomen and all young adults under the age of 36 to Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services at no cost. Call 732-308-0055 for tickets. The temple will host a free children’s service (open to the public) for Rosh Hashanah at 2:30 p.m. Sept. 21 at Marlboro High School, Route 79, and a free children’s service (open to the public) for Yom Kippur at 1:30 p.m. Sept. 30 at the high school.
• The Deep Cut Orchid Society will hold its annual orchid auction from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 23 at Dearborn Market, 2170 Route 35 South, Holmdel. Preview plants from 9:30-10 a.m. Orchids from growers in Ecuador, Brazil, Taiwan and the United States will be available for bidding. All are welcome to attend. Admission and parking are free. Cash, check and credit cards will be accepted.
• Joan’s Reach will host its sixth annual Chili Cook-Off from 2-6 p.m. Oct. 14 at VFW Post 4374, 50 Waterworks Road, Freehold. Joan’s Reach raises awareness for perinatal hospice care and provides resources and support for families continuing a pregnancy with a life-limiting prenatal diagnosis. Tickets are $30 per adult, $5 per child (ages 4-12), or $60 per family (parents and immediate children). The cook-off will feature original chili dishes, beverages and additional food. Details: www.joansreach.org
• Embroiderers’ Guild of America-Monmouth Chapter evening stitchers will meet from 7-9 p.m. Sept. 18 at the Colts Neck Library, 1 Winthrop Drive, Colts Neck. Day stitchers will meet from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 14 at the Colts Neck Library. Stitchers of all levels are welcome. There are sit and stitch tables at each meeting, as well as special projects. Details: Toni, 732-462-5540, or www.mcega.org
• Freehold Elks Lodge 1454, 73 E Main St., Freehold, will host an “All You Can Eat, Cooked to Order Breakfast” on Sept. 17 from 9 a.m. to noon. Last seating is at 11:30 a.m. Cost is $9 for adults and $5 for children under 12. All are welcome. Details: 732-431-8707.
• The Manalapan-Englishtown Regional School District Board of Education will meet on Sept. 19 at 7:30 p.m. for regular action meeting at 54 Main St., Englishtown. The meeting is open to the public.
• The Old Bridge Toastmasters Club meets on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month from 7:15-9 p.m. at the Sayre Woods Bible Church, 2290 Route 9 South, Old Bridge. The club seeks to help individuals become better speakers and better leaders. There is no cost to attend a meeting and residents of all towns are welcome to attend. Details: 908-906-4926 or http://oldbridge.toastmastersclubs.org/
• Freehold Borough will host a free rabies vaccination clinic for cats and dogs from 6-7 p.m. Sept. 14 behind the Freehold Fire Department at 49 W. Main St. The clinic is open to dogs and cats from any town. Owners do not need to bring any paperwork and an animal does not need to be licensed in order to be vaccinated. An animal must be at least 3 months old in order to be vaccinated. Details: 732-462-7057.
• The Old Brick Church, 490 Route 520, Marlboro, will host a trash and treasure sale and flea market on Sept. 16. There is ample parking at the church. Food will be available. All are welcome to attend.
• The Freehold Borough Human Relations Committee will host its fifth annual Senior Appreciation Day from noon to 4 p.m. Sept. 17 in the Monmouth County Hall of Records parking lot, Main Street, Freehold Borough (rain date, Sept. 24). Residents of all towns and all ages are welcome to attend. There will be a classic car contest, entertainment, antique appraisals, food and informational booths.
• Freehold Elks 1454 Motorcycle Committee, 73 E. Main St., Freehold, will hold a motorcycle raffle drawing party on Sept. 23 from 1-6 p.m. First prize is a 2016 Harley Davidson Fat Bob motorcycle. Tickets will be available the day of the drawing. Tricky tray raffle prizes, food, drink and live music. All are welcome. Details: 732-431-8707
• Freehold Elks Lodge 1454 Ladies Auxiliary, 73 E. Main St., Freehold, will host a roast pork dinner on Sept. 29 from 6-9 p.m. A complete dinner, including coffee and dessert, is $10 per person. All are welcome. Details: 732-431-8707.
• Para-X will present “Behind the Veil” from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 30 at the Haunted Lodge on the Lake, East Brunswick Elks Lodge, 21 Oakmont Ave., East Brunswick. There will be access to paranormal groups, artists, merchandise vendors, psychic readings and a traveling museum of haunted artifacts. Meet Chris DiCeasare from SyFy, author of “Surviving an Extreme Haunting.” Admission is $5. Details: www.paraxbehindtheveil.wordpress.com or email [email protected]
• JAR of Hope is seeking participants in an attempt to set a world record for the largest group of people to gather and do pushups at the same time. The event will take place on the morning of Sept. 16 at iPlay America, Freehold Township. JAR of Hope is a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness and funds for researching a cure for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. The donation is $20 per person. Sign up at the following link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ jar-of-hope-world-record-push-up-attempt-tickets- 32324316902?aff=eand
• The Freehold Memorial Day Parade Committee, in conjunction with The Cabin, Route 33, Howell, will have a donation day on Sept. 19. The Cabin will donate 20 percent of a guest’s check to the committee (not including tax). Guests may bring the flier or mention to the hostess that they are there for for the parade. The website for the flier is www.freeholdmemorialdayparade.com
• The Monmouth County Park System will host its Harvest Home Festival from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 24 at Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel. There will be wagon rides, games, live entertainment and Victorian era craft demonstrations. Visitors may enter a competition in vegetables, canning, condiments, baked goods, embroidery, quilting, rug hooking and more. Applications for the competition are available at www.MonmouthCountyParks.com or by calling 732-946-3758.
• Zoologist Robert Somes will present “The New Jersey Bald Eagle Project” at the Monmouth County Audubon Society meeting at 8 p.m. Oct. 11 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 Monmouth County Audubon Society will host an autumn bird walk on Oct. 14 on the Sandy Hook peninsula in northern Monmouth County. Meet at 10 a.m. in the parking lot by the now-closed visitors center. The peninsula attracts migrating raptors, shorebirds and songbirds due to the abundance of food and areas of suitable habitat. The walk is open to members and non-members of the Audubon Society and participation is free. Advance registration is not required. Details: http://www.monmouthaudubon.org
• The 22nd annual Monmouth County Archives and History Day will be held on Oct. 14 at the Monmouth County Library Headquarters, Manalapan. The event will focus on the history of Monmouth County inventors and innovators and will feature movie screenings and seminars for people of all ages. The deadline for New Jersey historical organizations to sign up for an exhibitor table is Oct. 2. Details: 732-308-3771.
• The Deep Cut Orchid Society meets at 7:30 p.m. on the second Tuesday of every month (Oct. 10) at the Monmouth Reform Temple, 332 Hance Ave., Tinton Falls. There is a speaker, refreshments and a discussion of plants on the show table. There is no cost to attend and everyone is welcome.
• St. Gabriel Church, Marlboro, will present its ninth comedy night with an all new lineup of New York City comedians on Oct. 19 at the Reception Center at St. Clement, Matawan. The evening includes dinner, a gift auction and a raffle. Doors open at 7 p.m. Cost is $45 per person. For reservations, email [email protected]
• A fall family festival sponsored by the Old Ship of Zion Missionary Baptist Church, Monroe Township, and the First Presbyterian Church of Englishtown will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 30 at Old Ship of Zion, 629 Buckelew Ave. (Route 522), Monroe Township (on left before Tracy Station/Spotswood-Englishtown Road). The event is free and all are welcome to attend. Activities include a bounce house, pick and paint a pumpkin, and games. Food will be available. The rain date is Oct. 7.
• The Jersey Shore Rose Society will present its 45th annual Rose Show from noon to 4 p.m. Sept. 16 at Deep Cut Gardens, 152 Red Hill Road, Middletown. Admission is free and all are welcome. There will be displays of roses and experts will be available to answer questions. Tours of Deep Cut Gardens will be available. Details: www.JSRoses.com
• Solomon Schechter Day School, Marlboro, will hold its second annual Western Rodeo Night at 8:30 p.m. Sept. 16 at the school. The evening, for adults only, will include line dancing, a mechanical bull, unlimited BBQ style food, sangria and prizes. Admission is $25 per person. Participants are encouraged to dress in western attire. Details: 732-431-5525.
• The Arcadian Chorale is celebrating its 25th season in 2017-18 with performances scheduled at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the New Jersey Performing Arts Center and other venues. Membership is free. Open auditions will be held on Sept. 19 from 6-7 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, Matawan. Rehearsals are Tuesday from 7-10 p.m. Details: 732-583-4007.
• A Film Shorts Festival, to be followed by a discussion led by Seymour Levin, a former board member of the Philadelphia Jewish Film Festival, will take place from 2-4 p.m. Sept. 17 at the Jewish Heritage Museum of Monmouth County, Freehold Township. Admission is $8 for museum members and $10 for non-members; students admitted free. Details: 732-252-6990 or https://www.jhmomc.org/events
• A free yoga class is offered every Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the Morganville United Methodist Church, 215 Conover Road, Marlboro. All are welcome. Bring a mat or a large towel. Details: 732-946-4247 or 732-536-2031.
• The Shrewsbury Chorale will host an open rehearsal at 7:45 p.m. Sept. 19 at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Monmouth County, 1475 W. Front St., Lincroft. Scores are provided and there is no charge. The chorale is accepting singers of all voice parts, high school age and up. To schedule an audition, call 609-686-9140. Details: 732-747-1362 or www.shrewsburychorale.org
• Disabled American Veterans Chapter 74, Freehold, will meet at 7 p.m. Sept. 26 at the American Legion, 62 W. Main St. Freehold. Chapter members, DAV members-at-large who are seeking a chapter and veterans with disabilities who are seeking assistance and advice are welcome to attend the meeting. Dinner of pizza and subs is provided.
• Single Active Seniors (SAS) is a discussion and activity group for men and women over 55. SAS meets every Sunday at 12:30 p.m. in the Colts Neck Reformed Church, Route 537 West, Colts Neck (in the white building to the right of the church). Social activities are introduced and group participation is encouraged. There are no fees and all are welcome to attend. Details: Email [email protected], subject line, SAS.
• The Freehold Regional High School Class of 1962 will host a 55-year reunion on Oct. 14 at the American Hotel, Freehold, from 7 p.m. to midnight. The cost of $62 per person includes hors d’oeuvres, buffet, DJ, valet parking and other special activities. On Oct. 13 from 7-10 p.m., a pizza get together will be held at the Freehold Elks Club. The cost is $10 per person. The weekend’s activities will conclude on Oct. 15 with a brunch beginning at 11 a.m. at the American Hotel. The cost of the brunch is $15 per person. Invitations for all events have been mailed to class members. If you have not received one, contact Don Ollwerther at 732-462-2732 or email [email protected]. Up-to-date reunion information can be found at www.frhs62.com or on Facebook at Freehold Regional High School Class of 1962.
• The Freehold Borough K-8 School District Board of Education has made changes to its meeting schedule. The Oct. 9 and Oct. 23 board meetings are cancelled. The board will meet on Oct. 16 at the Freehold Learning Center, Dutch Lane Road.
• 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.
• 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 to [email protected]. Please send items at least two weeks prior to a scheduled event.