• 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
• 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.
• “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.
• The Jackson Library, 2 Jackson Drive, Jackson, will host “Shore to Age Well: Medication Management and Alternatives” at 11 a.m. July 16. This program will cover alternative forms of pain management, including physical therapy, chiropractic care, yoga, massage therapy, local anesthetics, topical medications, biofeedback, exercise and NSAIDs. Registration is required for this free event. To register, call 732-928-4400.
• The Jackson Library, 2 Jackson Drive, Jackson will host an “Afternoon Film” at 2:30 p.m. July 11. Call the branch for film information; “Mosquito and Tick Prevention” at 2:30 p.m. July 16. Join pest control experts from Mosquito Joe to learn how to fight mosquitoes and ticks at home; “Brain Joggers” at 10:30 a.m. July 22. Exercise your mind by playing games and working puzzles; “Evening Film” at 6 p.m. July 22. Call the branch for film information; “Coloring for Adults” at 10 a.m. July 23. Rediscover the joy of coloring. Coloring sheets and art supplies will be provided; “Mindfulness Meditation for Beginners” at 11 a.m. July 26. Learn to integrate the gentle art of mindfulness. The class will focus on working with conscious awareness, breath and a body scan. Meditation will be followed by a question and answer session. Wear comfortable clothes. Registration is required for these programs. To register, call 732-928-4400.
• New Jersey Blood Services will conduct blood drives which are open to the public. The following blood drives are scheduled: July 9, Howell Elks, 84 Ramtown‑Greenville Road, Howell, 3:30-8 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 Jackson Library will host the following health programs: “Shore to Age Well: Medication Management and Alternatives” will take place at 11 a.m. July 16. This program will cover alternative forms of pain management. Registration is required for these free events. To register, call 732-928-4400.
• 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.
• The seventh annual Howell-Farmingdale 5K Run and Race Walk in memory of Walter Reitsma and all young people who lost their battle to addiction will be held at Howell High School at 6:15 p.m. Aug. 28. All ages welcome. The event will benefit CONTACT of Ocean and Monmouth Counties, a 24/7 crisis intervention and suicide prevention hotline. Special pricing for individuals age 19 and under. All registration fees discounted when registered by Aug. 26. Visit www.contactoceanmonmouth.org for a race application form with full details or register online at https://register.compuscore.com/contact5k
• New Jersey Blood Services will conduct a blood drive at the Howell Elks, 84 Ramtown-Greenville Road, Howell, from 2-8 p.m. June 27. To donate blood, call toll free, 1-800-933-2566 or visit www.nybloodcenter.org
• 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.
• The Howell Chamber of Commerce will host a Howell Business Expo from 4-8 p.m. July 16 at 4831 Route 9 North, Howell (Lanes Mill Marketplace, former Barnes & Noble store). Meet and shop local businesses and township services. Free admission. Food tasting, $5 per person. Vendor opportunities for chamber members and non-members. Sponsorship opportunities for members. Online registration and applications are available at www.howellchamber.com or call 732-363-4114.
• 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
• 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
• The Friends of the Howell Municipal Alliance meets on the first Monday of each quarter at 7 p.m. at the Echo Lake Pavilion, Howell. Attendees may share their ideas and perspective in an informal environment to enrich the community’s commitment to substance abuse prevention. No membership is necessary. Details: 732-938-4500, ext. 4012.
• The Jackson Library will host “Knit-Chat-Chain Volunteers” on Mondays. Guests are welcome to join fellow hook and needle enthusiasts and create items to donate to charitable organizations, and to work on their own projects. Knitters and crocheters of all skill levels are welcome. Yarn will be provided. Meeting times alternate between 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Call 732-928-4400, check the monthly brochure, or visit theoceancountylibrary.org/events for specific dates and times.
• The Jackson group of the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, Ocean County, will meet from 12:30-2 p.m. each Wednesday at the Brighter Days Community Wellness Center, 268 Bennett’s Mills Road, Jackson. DBSA is dedicated to helping those who suffer from depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder. Supportive family members or friends of people who suffer from mental health difficulties are also welcome to attend. No registration, dues or fees are necessary. Details: Maureen, 732-536-5826, or [email protected]
• Ocean County veterans meet monthly to discuss relevant subjects and to plan recreation opportunities. Topics include the transition to civilian life, the VA system, substance use, PTSD/other mental health issues and more. The group meets at 6:30 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month at Journey to Wellness Center, 25 S. Shore Drive, Toms River. Details: 732-244-0940 or email [email protected]
Items for the Datebook may be sent to [email protected]. Please submit items at least two weeks prior to a scheduled event.