• The New Jersey State Museum, 205 W. State St., Trenton, is presenting “Many Inspired Steps” to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing that took place on July 21, 1969. Currently on view through Nov. 10, the exhibition uses a variety of objects and images to examine the space race between the United States and the Soviet Union, the pioneers of space travel and other state connections to the landing and the space program. Admission is free; donations requested. Details: 609-292-5420 or visit statemuseumnj.gov
• “New Jersey Baseball: From the Cradle to the Major Leagues” is on exhibit at the Morven Museum and Garden, Princeton, until Oct. 27. The exhibition tells the story of New Jersey’s role in the history of early organized baseball through artifacts, text, images and other visuals. There are interactives that offer educational opportunities, as well as demonstrations with hands-on experiences. Details: morven.org
• Drop-in kayak tours of the Manasquan Reservoir, Howell, (use the Environmental Center entrance on Georgia Tavern Road) will be held from 11 a.m. to noon July 3 and July 17. Novice paddlers welcome. All equipment is provided; single and tandem kayaks are available. First come, first served. Tours depart on time. Program limited to 12 participants. Wear appropriate clothing that can get wet. The cost is $20 per person, cash or check only. Open to ages 12 and up; under 18 with participating adult. Details: 732-842-4000.
• Fishing 101 – A Beginner’s Guide to Fishing will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31 at the Manasquan Reservoir, Howell (meet at the visitor center’s bait shop). Learn how to rig, bait, cast and, hopefully, catch a fish at the reservoir. Come and go at any time. Bait and tackle provided. Open to all ages; under 14 with adult. Fishing license required for ages 16-69. No groups. This is a free event. Details: 732-842-4000.
• Representatives of the CentraState Associated Auxiliaries will be present in the atrium of the Star and Barry Ambulatory Campus, West Main Street, Freehold Township, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 10 and July 17 to accept gently used costume jewelry as a donation to the CentraState Associated Auxiliaries for a future jewelry extravaganza sale at CentraState Medical Center, Freehold Township.
• Monmouth Worship Center, Marlboro, will host a Mega Sports Camp “Breaking Free” from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Aug. 5-9 at the Marlboro Recreation Community Center football field. Children entering first through sixth grade can learn techniques in soccer, baseball and football while they learn to put their faith into action on and off the field. Registration fee is $25 per child before July 21 ($30 after). Details: 732-332-9600.
• Monmouth Worship Center, 37 Vanderburg Road, Marlboro, will host Vacation Bible School for children entering kindergarten through sixth grade from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Aug. 19-23. With this year’s theme, “To Mars and Beyond,” children will explore “where God’s power can take you.” Registration fee is $25 per child by July 31 ($35 after). Details: 732-332-9600.
• E.Y. “Yip” Harburg: The Real Wizard of Oz will be presented by Joseph Cohn at 7 p.m. July 17 at the Jewish Heritage Museum of Monmouth County, Freehold Township. The museum will be open from 6-9 p.m. Admission is $5 for non-members and free for students. Details: 732-252-6990 or https://www.jhmomc.org/events
• New Jersey Blood Services will conduct blood drives which are open to the public. The following blood drives are scheduled: July 5, Dunkin Donuts, 285 Gordons Corner Road, Manalapan, 1-7 p.m.; and July 12, Freehold Raceway Mall, 3710 Route 9, Freehold Township, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. To donate blood or for information about how to organize a blood drive, call 1-800-933-2566.
• The Heart of New Jersey Chorus is looking for members in all voice parts. Open rehearsals are being held during the summer. The chorus rehearses Wednesday from 7:30-10 p.m. at the Millstone Township Primary School, 18 Schoolhouse Road, Millstone Township. Details: Visit honj.org or call 732-446-9782.
• The Manalapan-Englishtown Regional School District Board of Education will hold the following meetings: July 9, 7:30 p.m. regular action meeting, administration building, 54 Main St., Englishtown; July 23, 7:30 p.m., regular action meeting, administration building, 54 Main St., Englishtown. The meetings are open to the public. Details: 732-786-2500.
• Reformed Church Home (RCH) will hold a job fair open house from noon to 5 p.m. June 27 at 1990 Route 18 north, Old Bridge. RCH is a not-for-profit senior community offering assisted living, rehabilitation and skilled nursing to seniors of all faiths and beliefs. Full-time, part-time and per diem opportunities exist for all shifts in various departments, including nursing staff, dietary, recreation and housekeeping. Bring a resume. Some positions will have on-site interviews. Register at EventBrite.com (search Reformed Church Home), or visit www.ReformedChurchHome.com or call 732-607-9230.
• 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. Evening stitchers will meet July 1 from 7-9 p.m. at the Colts Neck Library, 1 Winthrop Drive, Colts Neck. Day stitchers will meet July 18 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
• An Independence Day concert and fireworks celebration, presented by Downtown Freehold and Freehold Borough, will be held on July 3 at Freehold Raceway. Gates open at 6 p.m. and there will be live music by the Rock ‘N Roll Chorus at 6:30 p.m., followed by Daddy Pop from 7-9:15 p.m. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. No backpacks, coolers or pets will be permitted inside the venue, and bags are subject to search. Visit www.freeholdboroughnj.gov for information on cancellations due to inclement weather or high wind conditions. Rain date is July 7.
• CommUNITY Walk 2019 will be held on June 29 in Freehold Borough. Residents of Freehold Borough and Freehold Township are invited to join their neighbors for a community celebration. Registration will begin at 2:30 p.m at Borough Hall and lead to a celebration of free music, games and food at the Court Street School Education Community Center. Visit fb.me/CommUNITYWalk 2019 on Facebook for event updates.
• In partnership with the Veterans Community Alliance, Freehold Township Day will take place from 4-11 p.m. July 13 at Michael J. Tighe Park, Georgia Road. All are welcome to attend. Featured bands are Screaming Broccolli and the Phil Engel Band. Free children’s rides; free teen center. Merchandise and food vendors. Fireworks at 9 p.m. “Don’t Forget the Vet” car show, $15 per car. Email [email protected] for more information. Details: Freehold Township Day on Facebook, www.freeholdtownshipday.com or 732-294-2199.
• 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: July 11, Aug. 1, Sept. 5, Oct. 3, Nov. 7 and Dec. 5. Details: 732-462-5470.
• Freehold Regional High School District’s Naval Junior ROTC fourth annual golf outing will be held on July 15 at the Battleground Country Club, Manalapan. The cost to golf is $225, which includes super ticket and a chance to win a 2019 BMW with a hole-in-one, lunch, dinner, complimentary beverages throughout the day and the use of country club facilities. Registration begins at noon, shotgun start at 2 p.m. The evening concludes with a reception and gift basket auction beginning at 7 p.m. Individuals interested in attending may contact Renay Friedman at [email protected] or 732-492-7400.
• The Monmouth County Fair will return to the East Freehold Showgrounds, Kozloski Road, Freehold Township, from July 24-28. Hours for the fair are 5-11 p.m. July 24-26; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. July 27; and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 28. The 2019 Main Stage entertainment is as follows: July 24, Start Making Sense, a Talking Heads tribute band; July 25, Big House Band; July 26, Jake’s Rockin’ Country Band; July 27, School of Rock, and Jobonanno and the Godsons present “The Spirit of Asbury Revue” and July 28, Last Whippoorwill. Details: 732-842-4000.
• The Casual Birder will be held at 9 a.m. June 27 at the Manasquan Reservoir, Howell (meet in Environmental Center parking lot). Join a Monmouth County Park System naturalist for a laid-back morning bird walk. Open to ages 11 and up; under 16 with adult. This is a free event. Details: 732-842-4000.
• DowntownFreehold.com has announced its 2019 Thursdays Rock concert lineup. The free concerts take place at the Monmouth County Hall of Records Plaza from 7:30-9:30 p.m. All ages welcome. The bands are: June 27, Motor City Revue; July 4, Eddie Testa Band with special guest; July 11, Rockit Fish; July 18, Soul Project NOLO; July 25, The Springsteen Experience; Aug. 1, Joe Keyes and the Late Bloomer Band; Aug. 8, Joe Baracata Band; Aug. 15, Stephen Martines; and Aug. 22, Full Throttle. Details: DowntownFreehold.com
• The Jewish Home for Rehabilitation and Nursing, 1151 W. Main St. (Route 537), Freehold Township, hosts a free monthly support group called the Jewish Caregiver’s Experience on the last Tuesday evening of each month. Caregivers of all ages seeking support, resources and a Jewish perspective on managing their responsibilities are welcome to attend. Light kosher refreshments will be served. Details: Jolie, 732-202-1000, ext. 4003.
• 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.
• Members of the 1994 New York Rangers Stanley Cup championship team – Mark Messier, Brian Leetch, Adam Graves and Mike Richter – will appear at the Event Center at iPlay America, Freehold Township, on June 30. All ticket holders will have access to a Q&A experience with the former players. Doors open at 2:00 p.m. and the Q&A will start at 3 p.m. Various packages are available for purchase at https://www.iplayamerica.com/core4
• Monmouth County will hold a paper shredding event from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 12 at Colts Neck Town Hall, 124 Cedar Drive, Colts Neck. 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.
Items for the Datebook may be sent to [email protected]. Please send items at least two weeks prior to a scheduled event.