• Embroiderers’ Guild of America-Monmouth welcomes stitchers of all levels to attend a meeting. There are sit-and-stitch tables at each meeting, as well as special projects. Evening stitchers will meet from 7-9 p.m. April 1 at the Colts Neck Library, 1 Winthrop Drive, Colts Neck. Day stitchers will meet from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 18 at the Colts Neck Community Church, 25 Merchant Way, Colts Neck. Details: Toni, 732-462-5540, or visit www.mcega.org
• Temple Rodeph Torah, Marlboro, will host an open house for potential members from 10 a.m. to noon April 7. The clergy and representatives from the synagogue’s committees and groups will be available to answer questions. Families will be able to tour the building and visit a religious school class. Refreshments will be served. Details: 732-308-0055.
• Monmouth County will host a spring job fair on April 12 at Brookdale Community College, Lincroft. The event is free to employers and job seekers. Employers interested in participating in the job fair are asked to register by contacting Christine Dykeman at 732-683-8850, ext. 2525, or [email protected]. There is no cost for employers to reserve a table.
• 180 Turning Lives Around, a private nonprofit organization in Monmouth County, will be conducting a 40-hour training course for new Domestic Violence Response Team
victim advocates from April 29 through May 23 at Hazlet Police Headquarters. DVRT advocates work with law enforcement to provide support, information and resources to victims of domestic violence. For an application or additional information, contact Tina Morgan at [email protected] or 732 264-4360, ext. 4272. Potential volunteers are asked to mention the town where they reside. The deadline to apply is April 19.
• The Center for Jewish Life, Marlboro, will host a Passover seder with Rabbi Yossi and Dina Kanelsky at 6:45 p.m. April 19. Guests will learn the eternal meaning of the Passover story. The seder will be conducted in English and Russian. RSVP only by April 10 to 732-316-7600.
• Students at Marlboro Memorial Middle School, 71 Nolan Road, Marlboro, will present “Madagascar – A Musical Adventure Jr.” at 7 p.m. March 22 and at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. March 23. All seats are $10 in advance and at the door. Following the March 23 matinee there will be a meet and greet with the “Madagascar” characters.
• A meeting of the Monmouth County Retired Educators Association will be held at 11 a.m. April 9 at the Knob Hill Golf Club, 1 Shinnecock Drive, Manalapan. A Medicare update will be presented. Members are asked to donate non-perishable items for the food bank. New members are welcome. To make a luncheon reservation, contact Sue at 732-995-7754 or email [email protected] before March 29.
• Paint with Friends! Local artist Toni Field will lead participants in creating a painting project at the Freehold Public Library, East Main Street, at 7 p.m. March 28. All materials provided. Refreshments will be served. Cost is $25 per person. To register, visit or call the library at 732-462-5135 by March 22. Proceeds to benefit the Friends of the Freehold Public Library.
• Companion Animal Rescue and Education will hold a puppy adoption event at a new location: Petvalu in the Manalapan Epicentre, 55 Route 9 South, Manalapan, (between Wegmans and Target), from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 16. To see available puppies, visit www.carenj.com
• The 2019 Discussion Series will present “Declutter Your Life” with Jessica Varian Carroll, the owner and founder of Organista Home, a home organizing company, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. March 25 at the Co-Cathedral of St. Robert Bellarmine, 61 Georgia Road, Freehold Township. The series is sponsored by Kathy Lo Bue, managing director, Glen Eagle Advisors, LLC. Adults of all ages invited. Refreshments provided. The series is free, nonsectarian and open to the community. RSVP to 732-866-6660.
• The Morganville United Methodist Church, 215 Conover Road, Marlboro, will host a covered dish dinner and dessert auction at 5 p.m. April 6. Guests are asked to bring their favorite dish to share at dinner. At 6:30 p.m., a charity dessert auction will be held to benefit the church and the Morganville Independent Fire Company. Guests are asked to bring a homemade dessert to be auctioned off. Details: 732-536-2031.
• The Manalapan Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee will present its annual model train show from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 24 at the Manalapan Community Center, 114 Route 33 West, Manalapan (just past Peking Pavilion). Individuals of all ages are welcome to attend. Donations collected at the door will help veterans in the community. Details: Email [email protected]
• The Shrewsbury Chorale will hold its annual giant indoor garage sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 23 at the First United Methodist Church, 103 Monmouth Road, Oakhurst. There will be hundreds of items available for purchase. This fundraiser helps to defray the costs of bringing choral music to audiences in Monmouth County. Details: 732-747-1362 or www.shrewsburychorale.org
• The annual book sale sponsored by the Friends of the Library will be held March 14-16 at the Colts Neck Library. Pre-sale at 9 a.m. March 14 ($5 donation). No admission charge for any of the three 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. sale days. Special events: Bag O’Books Day, March 16 (a bag can be filled with books for $5), and Teacher Appreciation Day, March 15 (teachers can take advantage of the Bag O’Books special with school ID). Details: 732-431-5656.
• The Freehold Memorial Day Parade Committee will host a fundraiser at Gus’ Diner, 135 Route 33, Manalapan, all day on March 19. Download and present the flier and the diner will donate 10 percent of a customer’s pre-tax bill to the parade committee. A flier must be presented to receive credit. Details: www.freeholdmemorialdayparade.com
• The Manalapan-Englishtown Regional School District Board of Education will hold the following meeting: March 19, regular action meeting, administrative offices, 54 Main St., Englishtown. The meeting is open to the public.
• Boy Scout Troop 180 will hold its annual spaghetti dinner fundraiser on March 23 at Old Tennent Church, Neff Chapel, Manalapan. Seatings at 4:45 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. Cost: Adults, $10; Seniors, $7; Children (4-10), $6; Children 3 and under, free. Dinner consists of salad, garlic bread, spaghetti and meatballs, desserts, coffee and cold beverages.
To purchase tickets/reserve a seat, or for more information, call, Linda Trerotola, 732-446-4469. Tickets will be available at the door.
• The Monmouth County Park System will host the Casual Birder at 9 a.m. March 14 at
the Dorbrook Recreation Area, Route 537, Colts Neck. Meet in the athletic field parking area. Join a park system naturalist for a laid back morning bird walk. This is a free event. Details: 732-842-4000.
• 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 and special projects. Day stitchers will meet from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 21 at the Colts Neck Community Church, 25 Merchant Way, Colts Neck. Details: Toni, 732-462-5540, or www.mcega.org
• A Children’s Bible-themed workshop (age 4 and up) will be held at St. Thomas Lutheran Church, 203 Taylors Mills Road, Manalapan, from 9-10:30 a.m. March 16. Guests are asked to RSVP by March 8. Parents are encouraged to attend. To register or for more information, call 732-252-9550 or email [email protected]
• The Monmouth County Audubon Society will sponsor an evening field trip to Big Brook Park, Route 520, Marlboro, in search of American Woodcock at 6:30 p.m. March 16. Participation is free. On spring nights, attracting a mate becomes a priority for the American Woodcock and their activity may be viewed. Meet in the parking lot, just off Route 520. The trip is open to members and non-members of the Audubon Society. Details: http://www.monmouthaudubon.org
• The Jewish Heritage Museum of Monmouth County, Freehold Township, presents Jewish Yoga with Sheri Glick from 5-6:15 p.m. March 14. Admission: $15 for museum members and $18 for non-members. Bring a yoga mat and wear comfortable clothing. Jewish yoga is a pathway back to unifying the wisdom of the Torah and specifically Jewish wisdom of the body. To make a paid reservation (non-refundable), call 732-252-6990.
• Temple Rodeph Torah, Marlboro, will host its annual Grand Purim Carnival from noon to 2 p.m. March 24. There will be games, prizes, inflatables, food and music. Details: 732-308-0055.
• “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 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 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
• 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 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]
• 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: April 4, May 2, June 6, July 11, Aug. 1, Sept. 5, Oct. 3, Nov. 7 and Dec. 5. Details: 732-462-5470.
• 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
• 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 732-303-1031, 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 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.