• A one-day event is planned for individuals and professionals who wish to broaden their understanding of hoarding disorder. Topics include assessment, case management models, intervention and more. The conference will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 2 at the Middlesex Fire Academy, Sayreville. Cost is $125. Approved for 6.0 CEUs for social work and occupational therapy. Offered by Atlantic County Hoarding Task Force, MHANJ in Atlantic County and Stockton University. To register, call 609-652-3800 or email [email protected]
• The Monmouth County Park System will host its annual Creative Arts and Music Festival from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 4 at Thompson Park, 805 Newman Springs Road (Route 520), Lincroft. This juried arts festival features specially selected artists’ works of pottery, photography, jewelry, paintings and other mediums. In addition to the artwork, visitors will enjoy live music and free art demonstrations and activities. Admission and parking for the festival are free. Details: www.MonmouthCountyParks.com or call 732-842-4000.
• Rutgers Master Gardeners of Monmouth County will host their Spring Garden Days Plant Sale from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 17 and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 18 (rain or shine) at the Rutgers Cooperative Extension Agriculture Building, 4000 Kozloski Road, Freehold Township. Cash or check only (no credit cards). There will be plants available for purchase, gardening presentations, garden tours, and a gardening Q&A with Master Gardeners. Details: 732-303-7614.
• Marty’s Place Senior Dog Sanctuary, Upper Freehold Township, will sponsor a “Bingo and Basket Raffle for Barking Seniors” from 5-10 p.m. April 27 at the New Egypt Elks Lodge, 105 Lakewood Road, Plumsted. Doors open at 5 p.m. and bingo starts at 6:30 p.m. All proceeds will support Marty’s Place residents and their care. Admission (adults 18 and over) is $25 and tickets must be purchased by April 24. Admission includes one bingo square per game and dauber, plus soft drinks and dessert. Entrée items will be available for purchase from the Elks. Tickets may be purchased online at www.martysplace.org/event/martys-place-bingo/ or by mail with cash or check mailed to 118 Route 526 Upper Freehold, NJ 08501. Details: www.martysplace.org or 609-259-1278.
• Monmouth County will hold a paper shredding event from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 3 at Millstone Park, 4 Red Valley Road, Millstone Township. County residents may bring up to 100 pounds of documents to be shredded. Details: See the recycling section of the county website at www.VisitMonmouth.com or call 732-683-8686, ext. 6721.
• Samaritan Center, a joint ministry of St. Thomas More and Old Tennent Presbyterian churches, operates a food pantry to provide supplementary food for those in need in Manalapan, Marlboro, Englishtown and Millstone Township. For information, call 732-446-1142 and make an appointment. Pickup dates are Tuesday and Thursday from 9:30-11:15 a.m. and Saturday from 9-11 a.m. Volunteers will gladly carry food to a client’s vehicle. Donations of funds and food are gratefully accepted to support the operation of the center. Volunteers are always welcome.
• The Allentown Lions Club will host its 48th annual Easter egg hunt at 9 a.m. April 13 at Farmer Park, 1 Lakeview Drive, Allentown (rain date is 9 a.m. April 20). All are invited to participate. Visit the Lions Club’s Facebook page or www.allentownlionsclub.com
• The Allentown Public Library, 16 S. Main St., Allentown, will host a program about identity theft at 6:30 p.m. May 14. The program will be presented by officers from the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office. The officers will discuss how criminals obtain personal information and discuss ways to avoid becoming a victim. Registration is required. Register in person, online (www.monmouthcountylib.org) or by calling 609-259-7565.
• The Monmouth County SPCA will celebrate its 25th anniversary dog walk and pet fair on April 27 at Brookdale Community College, Lincroft, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The theme will be “My Dog is a Superhero.” There will be dogs available for adoption, live music by The Wag, vendors, food trucks, games and activities for children of all ages, plus fun photo ops with comic book characters. The “Disc-Connected K9’s Frisbee Dog Team” will perform throughout the day. Details: www.mcspcadogwalk.org
• Demonstrations of a 19th century gristmill will be presented at Historic Walnford, Walnford Road, Upper Freehold Township, from 1-4 p.m. April 13, 14, 20, 21, 27 and 28. Demonstrations run through November. This is a free event. Details: 732-842-4000.
• The Millstone Township Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary will sponsor a spring rummage sale from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 13 at the Millstone Township firehouse, 461 Stagecoach Road. All proceeds from the sale will benefit the Millstone Township Fire Company. Details: Allison, 609-346-4412, or Geryl, 609-658-6386.
• The MOMS Club of Millstone Township will host its annual Easter egg hunt on at 10 a.m. April 20 (rain or shine) at Wagner Farm Park, 4 Baird Road, Millstone Township. There will be a hunt for eggs, prizes, children’s crafts, refreshments and a visit from the Easter Bunny. The event is open to the public. Details: momsclubofmillstone.com
• Millstone Township’s annual stream cleanup will be held from 9 a.m. to noon April 13. All are welcome to participate. Meet at the municipal court building, 215 Millstone Road. Rain or shine. Gloves and bags provided. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Large groups are asked to email Erin Stretz at [email protected] so ample supplies may be brought to the event. Details: Visit thewatershed.org
• Millstone Township residents who are interested in history, heritage, research and education are invited to apply for membership on the Millstone Township Historic Preservation Commission. Interested individuals may complete a talent bank application on the township’s website or in the municipal offices.
• Millstone Township Recreation invites students in grades eight through 12 to volunteer for its sports programs and special events. Young adults may complete community service hours for school, religious organizations or clubs. To see volunteer opportunities, visit www.millstonerec.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 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. Call Avrum at 732-202-1000, ext. 4012, or email [email protected] for more information.
Items for the Datebook may be sent to [email protected]. Please submit items at least two weeks prior to a scheduled event.