• Monmouth Worship Center, 37 Vanderburg Road, Marlboro, will hold its annual Missions Banquet at 6 p.m. Oct. 21. Dave and Julie Goldschmidt, missionaries to Scotland, will be special guest speakers. After the presentation, a free buffet of international foods and desserts will be served. On Oct. 22, there will be a “parade of nations” during each morning service (8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.). All are welcome to both events. Details: 732-332-9600.
• Companion Animal Rescue and Education will hold a puppy adoption event at Petco, 95 Route 9 South, Marlboro, (near Whole Foods) from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 20.
For more information and updates or to see available puppies, visit www.carenj.com
• A turkey supper will be held at the First Presbyterian Church of Englishtown, 50 Main St., Englishtown, with one seating at 5 p.m. Nov. 3. There will be a buffet style dinner. All are welcome to attend. Tickets for adults are $10, children ages 5-12 are $5, children under 5 are free. Take-out meals are available, but must be ordered in advance. For tickets, call 908-385-0203.
• The Hebrew Academy, formerly Solomon Schechter Day School, Marlboro, will host a vendor night from 6-9 p.m. Nov. 13 at 22 School Road East, Marlboro. Admission is $5, which includes three raffle tickets. Vendors include jewelry, personalized gifts, beauty products, clothing, Judaica and more. The event is open to the community. Details: Linda Glickstein, 732-431-5525.
• Psychic, author and empath Linda Shields, known as “The Jersey Shore Medium,” will be at The Event Center at iPlay America, Freehold Township, on Nov. 14. Doors open at 5 p.m. Show begins 7 p.m. Ticket includes buffet and admission. Details: www.iplayamerica.com/event/jersey-shore-medium-linda-shields
• The National Council of Jewish Women invites the public to its general membership meeting from noon to 2 p.m. Oct. 24 at the Monmouth County Library Headquarters, Symmes Road, Manalapan. Monmouth County Clerk Christine Giordano Hanlon will speak about “Elections and Cybersecurity.” Light refreshments will be served.
• An “Eat, Pray, Give” Mission Jamboree will be held from 4-7 p.m. Oct. 21 at the Colts Neck Reformed Church, 139 Route 537, Colts Neck. All members of the community are invited to attend the free, family friendly exploration and celebration of more than 30 local, national and international charities and missions the church supports. The evening will be divided into three parts: an information session, musical/prayful recognition, and a celebratory meal. Details: www.coltsneckreformed.org or 732-462-4555.
• The League of Women Voters will hold a candidates forum for the Monmouth County Board of Freeholders at 7 p.m. Oct. 24 at the Monmouth County Library Headquarters, 125 Symmes Drive, Manalapan. The candidates running for one full three-year term are Republican Susan M. Kiley, Democrat Amber Gesslein, independent candidate Brendan Maroney and independent candidate John P. Curley. The candidates running for a one-year
unexpired term are Republican Gerard P. Scharfenberger and Democrat Larry Luttrell. Community members are invited to come and listen to the candidates’ views on the issues.
• The League of Women Voters of Western Monmouth and Temple Rodeph Torah will hold a forum for the candidates for the 6th Congressional District, Democrat Frank Pallone Jr. and Republican Richard J. Pezzullo, from 3-5 p.m. Oct. 21 at the temple, 15 Mohawk Drive, Marlboro. The congressional district includes Marlboro. Community members are invited to come and listen to the candidates’ views on the issues.
• Halloween Spooktacular events will be held at the Monmouth County Hall of Records, East Main Street, Freehold Borough, from 6-8 p.m. Oct. 20. Residents of all communities are invited to enjoy a pumpkin carving contest, a Monsters Inc. bouncy ride, goblin music from DJ Dave and other activities, including “Guess the Weight of the Pumpkin” and mummy wrapping.
• The 42nd annual Halloween Spooktacular Parade will be held in Freehold Borough on Oct. 28. Parade participants in costume will leave the Freehold Raceway parking lot at 1 p.m. and walk through town, including down Main Street. Residents of all communities are welcome to attend the festivities. At the conclusion of the parade, free cider, apples and donuts will be handed out at the Monmouth County Hall of Records parking lot.
• Enjoy the silent film “Phantom of the Opera” just as it thrilled audiences in 1925. Accompanied by theater organist Brittany Montoro, the film will be shown at 7 p.m. Oct. 19 at the First United Methodist Church of Freehold, 91 W. Main St., Freehold. Admission is $5 at the door, children under 10 are free. Light refreshments served. For more information and to purchase tickets in advance, call 732-462-5135.
• Old Tennent Presbyterian Church, Tennent Road, Manalapan, will host its annual Harvest Home Turkey Dinner on Oct. 27. Seatings at 4:30 p.m., 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. Take-out available from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Dinner served buffet style. Adults: $12, children (3-10), $7, children under 3 are free. Details and reservations: 732-446-6299 or 732-780-3296.
• Old Tennent Presbyterian Church, 448 Tennent Road, Manalapan, will host a holiday boutique from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 10. Crafts, jewelry, food and more. Vendors are wanted for the boutique. Vendors should call by Oct. 26 to reserve a spot. Details: 732-446-6299 or email [email protected]
• Manalapan MRC-CERT will hold a clothing drive from 9-11 a.m. Oct. 20 at the Manalapan municipal building, Route 522. MRC-CERT will receive a payment from a vendor for the
items collected. The following items may be dropped off: clothing, shoes, stuffed animals, towels, sheets, blankets, bicycles, small electric appliances (no computers, no books, no mattresses, no toys). MRC-CERT is a volunteer organization that supports Manalapan’s emergency management and response agencies. Details: www.facebook/manalapanmrc-cert
• Life’s Journey: The Good, the Bad, the Better! will be the next presentation in the 2018 Discussion Series at the Co-Cathedral of St. Robert Bellarmine, 61 Georgia Road, Freehold Township, from 7:30-9:30 p.m. Oct. 23. The series is free, non-sectarian and open to the community. The presenter will be Teena Cahill. Topics will include enhancing innate resilience through self-care and education, the link between listening and leadership, and busting the myth of balance and cognitive reframing – why what we think really matters. The series is sponsored by Kathy Lo Bue, managing director, Glen Eagle Advisors. Adults of all ages are invited. Refreshments provided. RSVP to 732-866-6660.
• Freehold Elks Lodge 1454, 73 E. Main St., Freehold, will host its “All U Can Eat, Cooked to Order Breakfast” on Oct. 21 from 9 a.m. to noon. Cost is $9 for adults and $5 for children under 12. All are welcome to attend. Details: 732-431-8707.
• The Manalapan Board of Health will sponsor a free rabies immunization clinic for dogs and cats from 9-11:30 a.m. Nov. 3 in the Manalapan Recreation Center at the new expansion building by Field K and the spray park (best entrance is the western entrance, not the main entrance, on Route 522). All dogs must be on a leash and cats confined to a carrier. Details: 732-446-8345.
• The Italian American Association of Monmouth County presents Entertainment Night featuring “Elvis Italian Style” from 7-11 p.m. Oct. 19 at the Robertsville Banquet Center (Robertsville firehouse), 94 Route 520, Marlboro. Cost: $45 per person (includes buffet). Proceeds benefit the IAA Cultural and Scholarship Fund. Reservations are required. Details: Diana Cavaliere, 732-295-1666.
• The Monmouth County Park System will host a mill demonstration on Oct. 20-21 and 27-28 from 1-4 p.m. at Historic Walnford, Walnford Road, Upper Freehold Township. See the 19th century gristmill in action. Demonstrations run through November. Free.
• The Reformed Church of Freehold, 67 W. Main St., will host a roast beef dinner from 4:30-7 p.m. Nov. 3. All are welcome to attend. Tickets: $20 (adult) and $6 (child, 6-12). There will be a full dinner served family style. Take-out dinners will be available. Tickets available at the door or through the church office. Details: 732-462-1717.
• The Monmouth County Park System presents “Creatures of the Night!” at Huber Woods Park, Middletown. This is an interactive, non-scary family friendly hayride during which staff and volunteers perform light-hearted and educational skits. Offered on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 12-27 (staggered times between 4:30-8 p.m. and not all times are offered each evening). The cost is $10 per person. Lap children (under age 3) are free when accompanied by paying adult. Pre-registration is a must. To register, call 732-842-4000 or visit www.MonmouthCountyParks.com
• The second annual Film Shorts Festival will take place at 2 p.m. Oct. 28 at the Jewish Heritage Museum of Monmouth County, 310 Mount’s Corner Drive, Freehold Township. Admission is $8 for museum members and $10 for non-members. Details: 732-252-6990
or https://www.jhmomc.org/events
• 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 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
• 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
• 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 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.
• Temple Beth Ahm, 550 Lloyd Road, Aberdeen, will host monthly meet and greet events on 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.
• 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.