• The Freehold Public Library’s “Friends of the Library” group will meet on at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 29 at the library, East Main Street, Freehold Borough. Join interested neighbors and friends to support the library’s service to the community. Details: 732-462-5135.
• Elementary school children are invited to a special program, “Smart Money: Learn About Money!” presented by Garden State Community Bank, at 4:30 p.m. Nov. 14 at the Freehold Public Library, East Main Street, Freehold Borough. Details: 732-462-5135.
• Young people in fifth grade through the first year past high school are invited to join the Freehold TLC 4-H Club at the Freehold Public Library, East Main Street, Freehold Borough. The next meeting is at 7 p.m. Nov. 14 and will feature member presentations and “Thanksgiving desserts.” Details: 732-462-5135.
• “Come Write In,” the writers group of the Freehold Public Library, will meet at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 28 at the library, East Main Street, Freehold Borough. People who like to write are invited to discuss their own writing adventures, learn about contributing to a group anthology, or share National Novel Writing Month updates. Refreshments served. Details: 732-462-5135.
• A clothing drive fundraiser organized by the Marlboro Youth Exchange program will be held at Marlboro High School, 95 N. Main St. (Route 79), from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 18. A truck will be in the front parking lot. Items accepted: new and gently used men’s, women’s and children’s clothing, shoes, purses, belts, bed and bath linens, and stuffed animals. Bicycles and baby strollers will be accepted. Tax deduction forms will be available. Details: Ilana Kats, 732-674-4989, or email [email protected]
• The Freehold Area Running Club will host its 33rd annual Born to Run 5-Mile Race on Nov. 23. Runners will make their way through downtown Freehold to Lake Topanemus in Freehold Township. There will be a vendor expo, kids dash and 1-mile race, live music, medals and T-shirts. A rebranding will include a new logo that will be prominent on red bandanas given to all participants. Since 2009, the race has contributed $42,000 to Freehold Area Open Door and will continue the tradition of fighting hunger in its hometown. Vendor expo starts at 9:30 a.m.; kids race starts at 10 a.m.; the 5-mile race starts at 11 a.m. Details: www.farcnj.com
• The Freehold Borough Arts Council invites area artists and crafters to participate in its sixth annual Freehold Borough Arts and Crafts Show to be held on Dec. 1 at the Park Avenue Elementary School from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Registration is on a first come, first served basis. Reserve a space by sending a $35 check made out to FBAC, c/o Lynn Reich, 6 Hance Blvd. Freehold, NJ 07728. Registration fee includes one lunch. Details: Lynn Reich, 732-230-7494.
• The Freehold Borough Arts Council will hold its sixth annual arts and crafts show from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 1 at the Park Avenue Elementary School, 280 Park Ave., Freehold. All are invited to attend. Paintings, jewelry, upcycled wood crafts, chocolates, paper creations, photography and unique holiday gifts will be available for purchase. Details: Email [email protected]
• New Jersey Blood Services will conduct the following blood drives: Nov. 23, John F. Carroll Columbian Club, 3 LaSatta Ave., Englishtown, 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and Nov. 27, Marlboro Recreation Community Center, 1996 Recreation Way, Marlboro, 3-9 p.m. To donate blood or for information on how to organize a blood drive, call toll free 1-800-933-2566.
• The Monmouth County Park System will host its Fall Craft Show at the Fort Monmouth Recreation Center, Tinton Falls, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 10. There will more than 50 local artists and crafters. Items include jewelry, holiday decorations, rag dolls, quilts, notecards/greeting cards, candles, wreaths and more. Details: www.MonmouthCountyParks.com or call 732-842-4000.
• A meeting of the Monmouth County Retired Teachers Association will be held at 11 a.m. Dec. 11 at Shadowbrook, 1 Obre Place, Shrewsbury. Members are asked to bring non-perishable donations for the food bank and an unwrapped new book, toy or gift card for Bridges At The Shore. For luncheon reservations, contact Sue at 732 995-7754 or email [email protected] before Nov. 30. New members are always welcome.
• The 2018 Discussion Series will continue from 2-4 p.m. Nov. 15 with “Medicare and You,” a presentation by Samantha White, Monmouth County director of the State Health Insurance Assistance Program. The series is sponsored by Kathy Lo Bue, managing director, Glen Eagle Advisors, LLC. The free, nonsectarian series is held at the Co-Cathedral of St. Robert Bellarmine, 61 Georgia Road, Freehold Township. Adults of all ages are invited to attend the presentation. RSVP to 732-866-6660.
• The Manalapan-Englishtown Regional School District Board of Education will hold the following meeting: Nov. 20 at 7:30 p.m., regular action meeting, 54 Main St., Englishtown. The meeting is open to the public.
• The Morganville United Methodist Church, 215 Conover Road (off Route 79), Marlboro, will host its Nearly New Rummage Sale on Nov. 9-10. Items for sale include children’s, women’s and men’s shoes and clothing; toys, games and books; bed and bath linens; housewares; and art and home décor. Separate sections offer new and specialty items and jewelry. Hours are are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 9. From 9 a.m. to noon Nov. 10, the bag sale will be held (all you can put in a shopping bag for $5 per bag or $8 for two bags). Proceeds benefit the missions of the church. Details: 732-946-4247.
• The Freehold Memorial Day Parade Committee, in conjunction with JB’s Dinner, Route 33, Howell, will host a fundraiser on Nov. 13 (all day). The diner will donate 20 percent of a guest’s pre-tax check to the parade committee to assist in putting on the 145th Freehold Memorial Day Parade in 2019. The flier must be presented. Visit www.freeholdmemorialdayparade.com to download the flier.
• Saint Gabriel’s Altar Rosary Society will host a “Super Holiday Craft and Vendor Fair” from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Nov. 11 in the parish center gymnasium, 100 N. Main St. (Route 79), Marlboro. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. All are welcome to attend the event. There will be more than 50 vendors on hand – wood crafts, quilts, baby clothing, floral arrangements, Pampered Chef, wine crafts, doggie gifts, ornaments, chocolates and more. Details: Email Julie at [email protected]
• No Stigma Network invites community members to bowl for fun and funds to support its programs for young adults with mental health challenges. The event will be held from 6-8 p.m. Nov. 11 at Howell Lanes, Route 9, Howell. Bowl with friends and family members. There will be a gift auction. Tickets: $20 per person (includes two games, shoe rental, two slices of pizza, soft drink and snacks). To purchase tickets, visit www.nostigmanetwork.com or email [email protected]
• The Jewish Heritage Museum of Monmouth County will present its annual ceramic craft project for Hanukkah from 4:30-6 p.m. Nov. 8 at Around the Corner Art Center, 290 Mount’s Corner Drive, Freehold Township. Admission is $12 per child (suggested ages 4 and up). Children will paint their own Hanukkah ceramic menorah, platter or candlesticks. To make a required paid reservation (non-refundable), call 732-252-6990.
• The Hebrew Academy, Marlboro, will hold a 3D Party: Drumsticks, Dreidels and Dance event from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Nov. 18 for students in grades five through eight. The $5 admission includes music, games, dinner and snacks. All area students who attend a Jewish day school or are a member of any Jewish youth group are invited to attend. Advance registration is required. RSVP to Linda Glickstein at 732-431-5525.
• The Heart of New Jersey Chorus presents “Jukebox Jingles” with special guests The Trentones at 2 p.m. Dec. 9 at the Millstone Township Primary School, 18 Schoolhouse Road, Millstone Township. Call for tickets, 732-474-8529, or online at https://honj.org/node/1659
• Michael Cassara will share his enthusiasm for cemetery research at the Nov. 11 meeting of the Monmouth County Genealogy Society at 1:30 p.m. at the Community Center, 72 Broad St., Eatontown. Cassara calls his approach “Cemetery Crowdsourcing.” The meeting is free and the public is welcome to attend. Details: 732-747-0090.
• 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
• 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. All are welcome to attend. Details: 732-446-6299 or email [email protected]
• 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. There will be a variety of craft and holiday items. All are welcome to attend. Details: 732-294-2029.
• Temple Beth Ahm, 550 Lloyd Road, Aberdeen, will host monthly meet and greet events on 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.
• 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.