• Freehold Borough will host a ceremony at Borough Hall, 51 W. Main St., at 8:30 a.m. Sept. 11 to honor first responders, especially those who rushed into danger to save
lives at the Twin Towers and at the Pentagon, and the heroes onboard Flight 93 on Sept. 11, 2001. The “Importance of Remembrance” is the theme of the ceremony. The American Legion will provide a color guard. First responders from the police department, Freehold EMS and the Freehold Fire Department will place a wreath at the Sept. 11 memorial. Mayor J. Nolan Higgins will offer brief remarks. The Rev. Ronald Sparks will lead those in attendance in prayer. All are invited to attend the ceremony.
• The Freehold Township Senior Center, 116 Jackson Mills Road, Freehold Township, will host a craft show from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 10. Tables are available for $15. There will be a variety of craft and holiday items. Details: 732-294-2029.
• The YMCA of Western Monmouth County, 470 East Freehold Road, Freehold Township, will host the following events that are free and open to the public during the Y’s Welcoming Week, Sep. 14-23: Sept. 14, “How To Become a U.S. Citizen” presentation, 1-3 p.m., presented by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Registration required by Sept. 7, contact [email protected] or 732-462-0464, ext. 132; Sept. 14, Meet Harlem Wizards player David “DP” Paul, 7-8 p.m. DP will share his basketball skills and provide an enthusiastic community building event; Sept. 18, voter registration drive, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., U.S. citizens at least 17 years old, and a resident of the state and county for 30 days, may stop in to register in time to vote in the Nov. 6 election; and Sept. 20, comparative religions presentation, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., featuring a moderated panel of community religious leaders. Registration required by Sept. 15, contact [email protected] or 732-462-0464, ext. 132.
• The sixth annual Howell/Farmingdale 5K run and race walk benefiting CONTACT of Ocean and Monmouth Counties 24/7 crisis intervention and suicide prevention hotline will be held on Oct. 21 at Howell High School, Squankum-Yellowbrook Road, Howell. The course is now certified. The 5K will begin at 9:30 a.m. All ages welcome. Awards to top male and female overall, plus age group awards for 5K run. Special pricing for ages 19 and under. All registration fees discounted when registered by Oct. 17. Details: 732-240-6104 for registration and/or info on becoming a sponsor. Visit www.contactoceanmonmouth.org for race application form or register online at https://register.compuscore.com/contact5k
• The Monmouth County Park System will hold a butterfly and pollinator garden tour on Sept. 6, 13, 20 & 27 at 11 a.m. at the Manasquan Reservoir Environmental Center, Howell.
Tour a special garden that is designed to provide a habitat for wildlife. The tour is approximately 30 minutes and is offered weather permitting. Free.
• The Monmouth County Park System will hold a Monarch butterfly tagging demo on Sept. 8, 12, 22 and 26 at noon at the Manasquan Reservoir Environmental Center, Howell.
See how scientists attach small tags to Monarch butterflies’ wings and learn about their migration to Mexico. Call 732-751-9453 for more information. Free.
• The Monmouth County Park System will host “Meet a Snake” at 1 p.m. Sept. 8-9 at the
Manasquan Reservoir Environmental Center, Howell. Meet one of the reservoir’s resident snakes up close and learn about these creatures. Free.
• The Monmouth County Park System will host a Harvest Home Festival from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 30 at Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel. The fair is reminiscent of the 1890s. Visitors can enjoy wagon rides, games and live entertainment. There will also be ongoing craft demonstrations and a home and garden competition. Admission and parking are free.
• Marty’s Place Senior Dog Sanctuary will host its annual Howl-O-Ween Family Fest from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 21 (rain date, Oct. 28) at 118 Route 526, Upper Freehold. This fun-filled event is open to the public and anyone can come with children of all ages and dogs of all sizes. There will be a Ruff Mudder Canine Obstacle Course. Dogs of all skill levels are welcome to participate with their owners. There will also be a costume contest for dogs, plus other activities. Details: 609-259-1278 or www.martysplace.org
• The Monmouth County Park System will host its annual Sept. 11 memorial ceremony at Mount Mitchill Scenic Overlook, Atlantic Highlands, site of the county’s Sept. 11 memorial, at 8 a.m. Sept. 11. All are welcome to attend (rain or shine). The scenic overlook will remain open until 11 p.m. Sept. 9-11 to provide additional opportunities to visit the memorial. Details: www.MonmouthCountyParks.com or 732-842-4000, ext. 4312.
• Brookdale Community College Foundation’s 39th annual Education Open Golf Outing will be held on Sept. 27 at Eagle Oaks Golf and Country Club, Howell. The event is open to the public. The shotgun start for the full scramble tournament is set for 11:30 a.m. Golf carts and special gifts are included. Details: Timothy Zeiss, 732-224-2887, https://www.brookdalecc.edu/brookdale-foundation/2018-education-open-golf-
outing/
• The Marlboro Jewish Center will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Chai Building, 46 Topanemus Road, Marlboro, beginning at 11 a.m. Oct. 14. There will be musical performances, family art projects, refreshments and games. Community members of all ages are invited to attend the free event. Invited guests include Mayor Jonathan Hornik, Congressman Frank Pallone Jr. and Gov. Phil Murphy. The Chai Building hosts a preschool, a Hebrew school and a youth program.
• Center Players Dessert Theater has partnered with theater instructor Darrell Willis Sr. to offer teen acting classes this fall at Center Playhouse, 35 South St., Freehold. “Acting 101” is open to young adults ages 12-17 and will include scene study, improvisation and basic acting techniques. Classes will be held from 10 a.m. to noon on 10 Saturdays from Oct. 13 through Dec. 15. The fee is $200 per student. Students may download a registration form at www.centerplayers.org. Details: Text 908-216-5168.
• The Manalapan-Englishtown Regional School District Board of Education will host the following meeting at the district offices at 54 Main St., Englishtown: 7:30 p.m. Sept. 25, regular action meeting. The meeting is open to the public.
• The Monmouth County Audubon Society will host a butterfly and bird walk at Tatum Park, Middletown, at 10 a.m. Sept. 15. The trip is open to members and non-members of the society and participation is free. Advance registration is not required. Meet at 10 a.m. in the main parking area off Holland Road. Dress appropriately for the weather, including clothing suitable for rain if the forecast is questionable. The walk will take place light rain or shine. Pets are not permitted. Details: www.monmouthaudubon.org or email [email protected]
• Boys and girls ages 8-17 may experience a free airplane ride on Oct. 20 as Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Chapter 315 of the North Jersey Shore hosts a Young Eagles Flight Rally at Monmouth Jet Center, 1717 Route 34, Wall Township. Those attending are asked to enter the airport at Hurley Pond Road west of Route 34 and proceed to the main terminal building, starting at 9:30 a.m. to register for their flight. A parent or guardian who can sign a required parental permission form at that time must accompany students. Flights begin at 10 a.m. and registration closes at 1 p.m. Rain date is Oct. 27. Details: www.youngeagles.org
• The Colts Neck Woman’s Club will host a “Trinkets and Treasures” indoor yard sale fundraiser at the Colts Neck Community Center in the Bucks Mills Recreation Area, 125 Bucks Mills Road, Colts Neck, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 13-15, and beginning at 9 a.m. Sept. 16. Housewares, clothing, jewelry, pocketbooks, seasonal decorations, artwork, books and more will be available for purchase. All are welcome to attend.
• Birder and wildlife photographer Kevin Watson will present “The Falklands and South Georgia” at the 8 p.m. Sept. 12 meeting of the Monmouth County Audubon Society at Tower Hill Church, 255 Harding Road, Red Bank. The public is welcome; admission is free. Details: www.monmouthaudubon.org or email [email protected]
• Pink Ribbons of Central New Jersey will host a Susan G. Komen breast cancer walk at 10 a.m. Oct. 14 at the Renaissance at Manalapan adult community, 24 Derry Meeting Drive, Manalapan. Check-in starts at 8:45 a.m. Minimum donation to register is $25. Breakfast to follow the walk for paid registrants only. Details: Helen Cohen, 732-577-0303.
• The Arcadian Chorale, an ensemble dedicated to excellence in choral singing, will begin its fall season with rehearsals every Tuesday from 7-10 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of Matawan, Route 34 at Franklin Street. People who like to sing and are interested in becoming new members are invited to attend auditions on Sept. 11, 18 and 25 from 6-7 p.m. Membership in the group is free. To arrange for an audition in advance or for further information, call 732-583-4007 or email [email protected]
• The Monmouth County Genealogy Society will host “Irish Surnames and Place Names in Irish Genealogy” presented by Micheal O’Maille, Irish scholar and seanachai (a traditional Irish story teller) at 1:30 p.m. Sept. 9 at the Community Center, 72 Broad St.,
Eatontown. The meeting is free and open to the public. Details: 732-747-0090.
• The Colts Neck Reformed Church, 139 Route 537, Colts Neck, will host a blood drive for the Central Jersey Blood Center on Sept. 26 from 3:30-8:30 p.m. Call the church
during the week at 732-462-4555 to schedule a time to donate, or contact the Central Jersey Blood Center at www.cjbcblood.org/ to arrange a donation time.
• The Colts Neck Reformed Church, 139 Route 537, Colts Neck, will hold its annual Election Day Luncheon, Dinner and Craft Bazaar on Nov. 6. Tickets for the lunch and dinner (featuring a turkey meal) will be available for purchase beginning Oct. 9. All are welcome to attend. Proceeds to benefit the ongoing benevolence program of the church. Details:
732-462-4555.
• The Heart of New Jersey Chorus is holding open guest nights during September. The chorus rehearses every Wednesday from 7:30-10 p.m. at the Millstone Township Primary School, 18 Schoolhouse Road, Millstone Township. Details: 732-446-9782.
• Comedian, singer and pianist Steven “Sarge” Pickman will perform at Congregation Ahavat Olam, Howell, at 2 p.m. Oct. 14. The event is open to the public. Tickets may be purchased by calling 732-333-1299. Tickets are $18 for general admission; $36 for priority reserved seating; and $54 for premium reserved seating. There will be a meet and greet reception prior to the show which includes sponsorship seating in the first three rows for $108 (a block of four tickets must be purchased). Pickman will be available after the show to sell and autograph his book “Black Boychik.”
• The Deep Cut Orchid Society will hold its annual orchid auction on Oct. 6 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with plant preview available from 9:30-10 a.m., at Monmouth Park racetrack, 175 Oceanport Avenue, Oceanport. Orchids from growers in Ecuador, Brazil, Taiwan and the United States will be available for bidding. Admission and parking is free. A hot and cold buffet will be available for $16 per person. Visit deepcutorchidsociety.org for additional information and to RSVP.
• The Martha Mary Guild of the Parish of St. Mary’s in Colts Neck, corner of Route 34 and Phalanx Road, will hold its annual sale on Sept. 6 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sept. 7 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sept. 8 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be men’s, women’s and children’s clothing, shoes and accessories, plus a boutique with new and designer items, and an assortment of linens. The fundraiser benefits organizations that assist women and children.
• Embroiderers’ Guild of America-Monmouth Chapter is dedicated to teaching and sharing the joys of needlework. Stitchers of all levels are welcome to attend a meeting. There are sit-and-stitch tables, as well as special projects. Evening stitchers will meet Sept. 17 from 7-9 p.m. at the Colts Neck Library, 1 Winthrop Drive, Colts Neck. Day stitchers will meet Sept. 20 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Colts Neck Community Church, 25 Merchant Way, Colts Neck. Details: Toni, 732-462-5540, or www.mcega.org
• Old Brick Church, Route 520, Marlboro, is accepting donations for its Sept. 15 Trash & Treasure Sale and Flea Market. The following items will be accepted: small pieces of
furniture, holiday decorations, jewelry and accessories, “good” clutter from attics and basements. No clothing at this time. Flea market spaces are available to the public for $15. Details: Contact the church office at 732-946-8860 or Sharon at 732-264-3046.
• Temple Beth Ahm, 550 Lloyd Road, Aberdeen, will host monthly meet and greet events on Sept. 26, Oct. 31, Nov. 28 and Dec. 26 at 7:30 p.m. Guests are welcome to come and learn about the synagogue. Refreshments will be served. Details: Email [email protected] or call 732-583-1700.
• Saint Gabriel’s Church, Marlboro, will host a juried craft and vendor fair on Nov. 11 from
10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Prospective vendors should send name, business name, email, mailing address, phone number and a description of their work with four to six high-quality photos demonstrating sample crafts and wares and table set-ups to Julia A. Oliver at
[email protected]. The table fee is $45. Vendors should not mail payment until they are notified they have been selected to participate.
• Disabled American Veterans Chapter 74, Freehold, will meet at 7 p.m. July xx 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.
• The Manalapan-Englishtown Community Alliance to Prevent Alcoholism and Drug Abuse has launched its Project Zero website at projectzeromanalapan.com. Project Zero is the alliance’s initiative to reset the narrative in Englishtown and Manalapan regarding substance abuse. The website contains information about where residents can go for assistance.
• 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.
Items for the Datebook may be sent to [email protected]. Please send items at least two weeks prior to a scheduled event.