• “The History of the Italian Jews,” a talk by Rabbi Michael Klein (rabbi emeritus, Congregation Ahavat Olam, Howell), will be held at 2 p.m. March 31 at the Jewish Heritage Museum of Monmouth County, 310 Mount’s Corner Drive, Freehold Township. Cost to attend is $8 for museum members and $10 for non-members. To reserve a space, call
732-252-6990.
• All members of the community are invited to attend a free presentation about political correctness to be held at 10:30 a.m. Feb. 24 at the Freehold Jewish Center, 59 Broad St., Freehold. Coffee, tea, bagels and shmears will be served. Contact the synagogue at 732-462-0254 to confirm attendance.
• The Monmouth County Park System will host a docent, ambassador and gardening assistants open house from 10 a.m. to noon Feb. 19 at Deep Cut Gardens, Middletown. Those interested in volunteering at the site may tour the grounds and learn how to get started. From 1-3 p.m. Feb. 19, the park system will host a docent and gardening assistants open house at Huber Woods Park, Middletown, for prospective volunteers interested in assisting with the park’s grounds and in its environmental center. Both sites offer indoor and outdoor opportunities and the chance to work with people, plants or both. The open houses are open to individuals age 18 and up. Details: 732-842-4000, ext. 4283.
• The Navy JROTC – Area 4 Academic, Athletic and Drill Championship will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 23 at Colts Neck High School, 59 Five Points Road, Colts Neck. The event is open to the public, free admission. The event will feature Navy JROTC units from the northeast. There will be a gift basket auction and raffle. Details: [email protected]
• Center Players Dessert Theater will hold auditions for “Shakespeare’s Lost Masterpiece” at Center Playhouse, 35 South St., Freehold. The play was written by Larry Americ Allen and will be directed by Darrell Lawrence Willis Sr. Audition dates: Feb. 11-12 from 7-9 p.m. Performance dates: April 5-7, and possibly April 12-14. The play contains explicit language and themes. Character list at www.centerplayers.org. Sides from the play will be provided.
Bring resume and headshot if available. Non-union, no pay. Details: [email protected]
• Mission Dance returns to the American Hotel, Freehold, for its annual “Winter Dance Party” on Feb. 15. The band has partnered with Freehold Area Open Door for a food/fund drive and to bring awareness of community members in need. Attendees are asked to bring food donations (peanut butter, juice, pasta, pasta sauce, condiments, salad dressing, cooking oil, etc.). Doors open at 8:30 p.m. Details: 732-431-3220.
• The Monmouth County Park System invites youngsters ages 8-11 to join children’s author Janine Kimmel for “The Art of Storytelling” from 1-3:30 p.m. Feb. 10 at the Dorbrook Recreation Area program building, Route 537, Colts Neck. The workshop will focus on the art of storytelling. The cost is $30 per person and pre-registration is required. There is also a $10 supply fee payable to the instructor at the beginning of the class. To register, visit www.MonmouthCountyParks.com or call 732-842-4000, ext. 1.
• All community members are welcome to attend a pancake breakfast at the First Presbyterian Church, 50 Main St., Englishtown, from 9-11 a.m. March 23. Breakfast features scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, juice, coffee/tea and all-you-can-eat pancakes. Adults, $8, children 12 and under, $5. Takeout meals available. For tickets, call 908-385-0203.
• The AARP Tax-Aide Program will be in place at the Monmouth County Library Headquarters, Manalapan, from Feb. 21 through April 15. Hours are Monday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Tuesday, 6-7 p.m.; and Thursday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The service is free. Service offered for simple federal and New Jersey tax returns only. If filing a joint return, both individuals must be present. Check website for new documentation requirements. Details: www.monmouthcountylib.org
• The Mourning After is a grief counseling program designed to assist people with recent and not-so-recent losses adjust to the emotions of grieving and the long-term changes that follow. The program is led by licensed professional counselors Bob Szita and Bernice Garfield-Szita. The group meets monthly on Fridays from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Center Playhouse, 35 South St., Freehold. Upcoming dates are March 1, April 5, May 3 and June 7. A voluntary donation is accepted. New attendees are asked to call in advance at 732-577-1076 or [email protected] or www.GIERS.org
• Rev. Ken Fish will be the guest speaker and conduct a healing seminar at Monmouth Worship Center, 37 Vanderburg Road, Marlboro, at 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. Feb. 10; at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 11; at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 12; and at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 13. All are welcome to attend. Details: 732-332-9600 or www.monmouthworship.org
• Freehold Elks Lodge 1454, 73 E. Main St., Freehold, will host its annual charity gala on Feb. 10 from 2-6 p.m. Tickets are $45 per person and include hors d’oeuvres, food stations and dessert. Proceeds to benefit special needs children attending Elks Camp Moore this summer. All are welcome to attend. Call Patty for tickets and information, 732-685-9493.
• Freehold Elks Lodge 1454, 73 E. Main St., Freehold, will hold its “All U Can Eat, Cooked to Order Breakfast” on Feb. 17 from 9 a.m. to noon. Last seating is 11:30 a.m. All are welcome to attend. Cost: $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 1454 Motorcycle Committee on Feb. 17 from 2-6 p.m. at 73 E. Main St., Freehold. Sample all entries for $15 and vote for the best chili. All are welcome to attend.
• Marlboro Middle School pupils will present “The Lion King Jr.” on Feb. 8 at 7 p.m. and Feb. 9 at noon and 4 p.m. at the school, Route 520, Marlboro. All are welcome to attend. Tickets are $10 (reserved seating) and $8 (general admission). Tickets available at the main office from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Face painting will be available for $5 before the noon performance on Feb. 9 (10:30-11:30 a.m.).
• John P. Stevens High School, Edison, Class of 1969 will hold its 50-year reunion on Aug. 10 at Galloping Hills Caterers, Union. Cocktail hour from 6-7 p.m., dinner from 7-11 p.m. Cost is $75 per person. Payment and RSVP to Donna Ciccone, 9 Anita Ave., Edison, NJ 08820. Details: Debbie DeMauro Bava, email [email protected]
• The Reformed Church of Freehold, 67 W. Main St., Freehold Borough, will host a roast beef dinner March 2. There will be a full course dinner served family style. All are invited to attend. Tickets: Adults, $20; Children, $6 (ages 6-12). Take-out dinners available. Tickets at the door or through the church office. Details: 732-462-1717.
• The Freehold Memorial Day Parade Committee, in conjunction with The Cabin, Route 33, Howell, will host a fundraiser from 5-10 p.m. Feb. 19. The Cabin 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. Visit www.freeholdmemorialdayparade.com, to download the flier.
• The Manalapan-Englishtown Regional School District Board of Education will meet on Feb. 19 at 7:30 p.m. for a regular action meeting at the district’s administration offices, Main Street, Englishtown. The meetings are open to the public. Details: 732-786-2500.
• The Monmouth County Audubon Society is seeking volunteers to join its board. New volunteers are needed to assist the organization with its newsletter, website, publicity, program planning, and/or assist with the organization’s scholarship program. Details:
www.monmouthaudubon.org or email [email protected]
• A blacksmith demonstration will be presented by the Monmouth County Park System from 1-3 p.m. Feb. 10 at Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel. This is a free activity. Details: 732-842-4000.
• The Monmouth County Park System will present Nature Story Time from 11-11:30 a.m. Feb. 13, 20 and 27 at the Manasquan Reservoir Environmental Center, Howell. There will be nature-themed items related to each story. Open to ages 2-5 with an adult. This is a free activity. Details: 732-842-4000.
• A Backyard Bird Count will be held at 9 a.m. Feb. 16 at Big Brook Park, Route 520, Marlboro. Join a Monmouth County Park System naturalist and explore the park in celebration of the Great American Backyard Bird Count. This is a free activity. Details: 732-842-4000.
• The Colts Neck Shade Tree Commission will hold public meetings at 7:30 p.m. on the following dates in the meeting room at Town Hall, 124 Cedar Drive, Colts Neck: Feb. 7, March 7, April 4, May 2, June 6, July 11, Aug. 1, Sept. 5, Oct. 3, Nov. 7 and Dec. 5. Details: 732-462-5470.
• A “Dine and Donate” event will be held at the Fireside Bar and Grill, Route 79, Marlboro, from 4-9 p.m. Feb. 6. Organizers said 15 percent of a guest’s bill will be donated to the Italian American Association of Monmouth County Charity and Cultural Fund (must bring the flier). The organization will be conducting a membership drive. To download a flier, visit 222.iaaofmc.com. Details: Cheryl Scuorzo, 732-536-5832.
• 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. 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
• 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 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
• 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.