• Embroiderers’ Guild of America-Monmouth Chapter is dedicated to teaching and sharing the joys of needlework. Stitchers of all levels are welcome. There are sit and stitch tables at each meeting as well as special projects. Evening stitchers will meet Feb. 4 from 7-9 p.m. at the Colts Neck Library, 1 Winthrop Drive, Colts Neck. Day stitchers will meet Feb. 21 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
• A blood drive will be held at the Freehold Raceway Mall, 3710 Route 9, Freehold Township, from 2-8 p.m. Jan. 18 in the second floor Macy’s corridor. Donors will receive a $10 AMC movie gift card. Walk-ins welcome. To make an appointment, visit tinyurl.com/GiveBloodNJBS. Sponsor code: 65805.
• The Ms. New Jersey Senior America Pageant will be held at Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City on June 5. The pageant seeks ladies, age 60 and over, who best exemplify the dignity, maturity and inner beauty of all senior Americans. Judging categories are Evening Gown; Philosophy of Life; Talent; and Judges Interview. The winner will participate in the Ms. Senior America Pageant 2019. Women who are interested in becoming a contestant may contact Terry Meade at 609-443-3039, 908-216-8534, or by email at [email protected]. Details: www.newjerseysenioramerica.org
• Zoologist Bill Pitts will present, “The Bog Turtle: New Jersey’s State Reptile,” at the Monmouth County Audubon Society meeting at 8 p.m. Feb. 13 at Tower Hill Church, 255 Harding Road, Red Bank. The public is welcome and admission is free. Learn about the bog turtle’s natural history in New Jersey and conservationists’ ongoing efforts to protect the bog turtle and increase its habitat and population. Details: http://www.monmouthaudubon.org
• The Hebrew Academy, Marlboro, will host a free PJ Library Character Breakfast and Pajama Party for children of all ages on Feb. 10. Children will play games with their favorite characters. The event includes a musical performance by children’s singer/songwriter Sam Levine, breakfast, a character parade, a PJ Library craft and more. Children are encouraged to wear their favorite pajamas. RSVP is required to Linda Glickstein at 732-431-5525 or email [email protected]
• The Audubon Society will host a bird walk on Sandy Hook in northern Monmouth County on Feb. 24. The trip will be led by accomplished birders who are familiar with Sandy Hook and its birds. Anyone interested in participating can meet at 10 a.m. in parking lot near the (closed) Visitor Center, which is just south of the ranger station, approximately 1.8 miles north of the entrance gate. The trip is open to members and non-members of the Monmouth County Audubon Society and participation is free. Details: http://www.monmouthaudubon.org
• The AAUW Freehold Branch is accepting book donations for its annual book sale. Books must be clean with binding intact. Books that are musty, torn, missing pages, or reference book sets (encyclopedias), textbooks, religion, philosophy, business, reference, psychology, cookbook sets or travel book sets older than 5 years will not be accepted. All donations must be made by appointment by calling 732-431-2297 or 732-303-1031, or by email at [email protected]
• The Fresh Air Fund is seeking area residents willing to volunteer to host a child from New York City this summer through the Friendly Towns Program. Children are boys and girls, ages 7-18. Details: Karen Medlin, 732-740-0449, or www.freshair.org
• Freehold Elks Lodge No. 1454, 73 E. Main St., Freehold Borough, will hold an “All U Can Eat, Cooked to Order Breakfast” from 9 a.m. to noon Jan. 20. All are welcome to attend. The last seating is at 11:30 a.m. Cost is $9 for adults and $5 for children under 12.
• The fifth annual Wings and Chili Cook-off will be hosted by the Freehold Elks Lodge No. 1454 Motorcycle Committee from 3-7 p.m. Jan. 20 at the lodge, 73 E. Main St., Freehold Borough. All are welcome to attend and to sample all the entries for $15. Guests may cast a vote for the best wings an chili.
• Freehold Borough will host a free rabies vaccination clinic for cats and dogs from 9-11 a.m. Jan. 26 behind the firehouse, 49 W. Main St. The rabies vaccination clinic is open to
residents of any municipality. No paperwork is needed and an animal does not need to be licensed to be vaccinated. An animal must be at least 3 months old to be vaccinated. Dogs must be on a short leash and cats must be in a carrier. Details: 732-462-7057, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Shabbat 4 Teens – Shabbat 200 will be held at 4 p.m. Jan. 25 at the Center for Jewish Life, 176 Route 79 North, Marlboro. The event is free for teens age 13-18. Teens will experience what Shabbat (Sabbath) is all about at a Friday night dinner. Reservations are required at www.Shabbat4teens.com. Details: Rabbi Yossi and Dina Kanelsky, 732-316-7600
• CentraState Healthcare Foundation will host its 57th annual Celebration Ball, “Through the Decades,” from 6-11 p.m. Feb. 2 at South Gate Manor, Freehold. Proceeds will support the Rutgers/RWJ Family Medicine Residency Program at CentraState in the new Freehold Family Health Center. The event will honor the VNA Health Group, Special Strides and Joseph Iantosca for their commitment to CentraState Healthcare System and the entire community. The event will include a silent auction, a live auction, and the winning ticket for the “A Year of Great Taste Dining Raffle” will be pulled. Details: 732-294-7030.
• Singers who love choral music are invited to an open rehearsal of the Shrewsbury Chorale. Local singers of high school age and up (all voice parts) are invited to participate in open rehearsals on Jan. 22 from 7:45-10 p.m. The chorale is preparing for April and June concerts. Rehearsals are held weekly on Tuesday evenings at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Monmouth County, Lincroft. Scores will be provided and both events are free. Call 908-309-0602 to audition. Visit www.shrewsburychorale.org for more information.
• A “Wondrous Winter Walk” will be held from 10-11:30 a.m. Jan. 31 at the Manasquan Reservoir Environmental Center, Howell, meet in the parking lot. Tag along with a Monmouth County Park System naturalist and explore the serenity that is nature in the wintertime. Free. Details: 732-842-4000.
• The Deep Cut Orchid Society will hold its annual orchid show and sale from Feb. 7-10 at Dearborn Market, 2170 Route 35 South, Holmdel. Show hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Feb. 7-9 and 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Feb. 10. There will be free guided tours and educational and orchid-themed workshops for enthusiasts of all levels. Orchid experts will be on hand to answer questions. Admission and parking are free.
• The Jewish Home for Rehabilitation and Nursing, Freehold Township, a new skilled rehabilitation and nursing facility serving the Jewish community, is hosting a free monthly support group called The Jewish Caregiver’s Experience. The group meets at 7 p.m. on the last Tuesday of each month. Caregivers of all ages seeking support, resources and a Jewish perspective on managing their responsibilities are welcome to attend. Refreshments will be served. Details: Avrum, 732-202-1000, ext. 4012.
• 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.