• 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.
• Freehold Elks Lodge No. 1454 will host its annual steak and lobster dinner at 6 p.m. Aug. 24. There will be steamed lobster, grilled steak, baked potato, corn on the cob and salad. Admission is $40 and all are invited. Obtain tickets at the lodge, 73 E. Main St., Freehold, or call Patty at 732-685-9493.
• 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: Sept. 5, Oct. 3, Nov. 7 and Dec. 5. Details: 732-462-5470.
• The Freehold Borough K-8 School District Board of Education will meet as a committee of the whole at 6 p.m. Sept. 9 at the Park Avenue Complex, 280 Park Ave., immediately prior to its regularly scheduled meeting at 7 p.m. The purpose of meeting as a committee of the whole will be to formulate and establish goals for the board for the 2019-20 school year. Action will take place at the meeting.
• New Jersey Blood Services will conduct blood drives which are open to the public. The following blood drives will be held: Sept. 5, 1:30-7:30 p.m., Freehold Raceway Mall, 3710 Route 9, Freehold Township; and Sept. 15, 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Shalom Torah Academy, 70 Amboy Road, Marlboro. To donate blood or to learn how to organize a blood drive, call 1-800-933-2566 or visit www.nybloodcenter.org
• Freehold Borough will host a free rabies vaccination clinic for cats and dogs from 6-7 p.m. Sept. 12 at the Freehold Borough firehouse, 49 W. Main St. (open to residents of all communities). No paperwork needed and an animal does not need to be licensed to be vaccinated. An animal must be at least 3 months old to be vaccinated. Dogs must be on a short leash and cats must be in a carrier. Details: 732-462-7057.
• The Martha Mary Guild of St. Mary’s Church, Route 34 and Phalanx Road, Colts Neck, will host a Giant Clothing/Linen Sale with a selection of men’s, women’s and children’s clothing, shoes and accessories in Madonna Hall (behind the church), and a “Boutique” with designer and nearly new items, plus jewelry and linens in Church Hall. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 5; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 6; and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 7. All proceeds will be donated to organizations that assist women and children. Details: 732-780-2666.
• The CentraState Associated Auxiliaries will be accepting donations of gently used jewelry, handbags and scarves in the main hospital lobby pickup area at CentraState Medical Center, West Main Street, Freehold Township, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 27.
• 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 from 7-9 p.m. Sept. 16 at the Colts Neck Library, 1 Winthrop Drive, Colts Neck. Day stitchers will meet from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 19 at the Colts Neck Community Church, 25 Merchant Way, Colts Neck. Details: Toni, 732-462-5540, or www.mcega.org
• The inaugural Labor Day charity Wiffle Ball Classic to benefit Autism Speaks and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation will be held on Aug. 31 (rain date, Sept. 1) at the Marlboro Little League baseball fields, Tennent Road, Marlboro. Individual or team registration (five to seven players), multiple divisions (pre-teen, women’s, men’s and co-ed) and a three-game guarantee. There will be a live band, a DJ, concession stands and family activities. For sponsorship and registration information, visit www.wiffleballclassic.com
• Golden Years Design Benefits will host workshops for individuals who are becoming eligible for Social Security and Medicare. The free program provides assistance in developing income-in-retirement strategies for those nearing retirement. Residents of all communities are welcome to attend. The following workshops are scheduled: Park Nine Diner, Route 9, Freehold Township; Aug. 22, 6:30-8 p.m., Park Nine Diner, Route 9, Freehold Township. Details: 732-526-7659.
• 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: Aug. 22, Full Throttle. Details: DowntownFreehold.com
• A PJ Library Family Summer Snow Ball will take place at the Hebrew Academy, Marlboro, from 10-11:30 a.m. Aug. 25. The “beat the heat” carnival will feature inflatable water activities, snowball making, hands-on cooking and fun “winter” activities. An RSVP is required. Admission is free. Details: Linda Glickstein, 732-431-5525. The PJ Library sends free Jewish children’s books to children and is funded by the Jewish Federation in the Heart of New Jersey. Details: www.jewishheartnj.org
• The Casual Birder, sponsored by the Monmouth County Park System, will be held at 9 a.m. Aug. 29 at the Dorbrook Recreation Area, Route 537, Colts Neck (meet in parking area across from main entrance). Join a 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.
• Roving Golfzilla will be at Big Brook Park, 521 Route 520, Marlboro, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 24, sponsored by the Monmouth County Park System. Participants will try to hit golf balls through the hands, feet or mouth of Golfzilla. All are welcome. This is a non-instructional offering. All equipment is provided. This is a free event. Details: 732-842-4000.
• A Harvest Home Festival will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 29 at Historic Longstreet Farm, 44 Longstreet Road, Holmdel. This event is sponsored by the Monmouth County Park System. Enjoy wagon rides, games and live entertainment during this old-fashioned fair that is reminiscent of the 1890s. There will be ongoing craft demonstrations and a home and garden competition. Admission and parking are free. Details: 732-842-4000.
• Jersey Shore Rose Society show will be held from 12:30-3:30 p.m. Sept. 14 at Deep Cut Gardens, 152 Red Hill Road, Middletown. See entries for the society’s annual rose show. Consulting rosarians will be available to answer questions. This is a free event.
• The Monmouth County Park System’s annual cornbread contest will be held from 12:30-3:30 p.m. Sept. 22 at Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold. Participants should bring the equivalent of a 9- x 13-inch pan of cornbread and a typed copy of their recipe between 12:30-1 p.m. Judging from 1:30-2:30 p.m. Ribbons awarded at 3 p.m. This is a free event. Details: 732-842-4000.
• A Golden Ear corny joke contest will be held from 12:30-3 p.m. Sept. 22 at Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold. Tell your best family friendly jokes during the contest. Anyone may enter by submitting up to three jokes by 2:30 p.m. The jokes will be read and audience laughter will decide the winner of the 2019 Golden Ear trophy. This is a free event. Details: 732-842-4000.
• A Sept. 11 memorial ceremony will be held at 8 a.m. Sept. 11 at the Mount Mitchill Scenic Overlook, Atlantic Highlands. All are welcome to attend the remembrance ceremony.
• End summer by playing family friendly historical games at Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold, from 1-4 p.m. Sept. 1-2. Sponsored by the Monmouth County Park System. This is a free activity. Details: 732=842-4000.
• Performing Arts Ensemble will hold an open audition for its upcoming holiday show season, including “The Nutcracker.” PAE is looking for female pointe dancers, male dancers of all kinds, boys and girls ages 4-12, male actors, and gymnasts and dancers of all kinds to perform in “The Nutcracker” and other shows throughout the year. The first audition will be held at the Middletown Arts Center (next to the Middletown train station) at 7 p.m. Aug. 16. Details: Evelyn Gardell, 732-614-5426.
• WWE Superstars The New Day, a wrestling stable consisting of Kofi Kingston, Big E and Xavier Woods, will visit the Event Center at iPlay America, Freehold Township, on Sept. 29. They will provide fans with a Pancake Lovers VIP Experience, meet and greet, and photo opportunity. Doors open at 8 a.m. VIP package and photo opportunity tickets are available for purchase at https://www.iplayamerica.com/event/the-new-day/
• Brandeis University Harmony Chapter of Four Seasons Metedeconk Lakes, Jackson, will sponsor a Holiday Vendor Faire and Brunch from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Oct. 23 at the Radisson Hotel, Freehold Township. Vendors are needed, tables/space is $50. Brunch is $35 per person. All proceeds will be designated to the Brandeis National Committee’s “Sustaining the Mind Fund” to support faculty research into neurodegenerative diseases. Details: Marie Santoro, 732-276-5393, or Vickie Vitale, 732-299-9745.
• Ongoing sessions of “Dancing by the Peddie Lake with Candace-Woodward-Clough,” offering instruction in swing, foxtrot, waltz and Latin dancing, will be held at 112 Etra Road, Hightstown. Classes will run continuously on Thursdays and Fridays. Beginner/Intermediate classes start at 7:30 p.m. The cost is $60 per person for the four-week session. Woodward-Clough is a choreographer, teacher and exercise consultant who has been teaching ballroom, Latin and swing dance for more than 30 years. Pre-register by calling 732-995-4284 or email [email protected]
• The Jewish Home for Rehabilitation and Nursing, 1151 W. Main St. (in the Pond View Professional Park), Freehold Township, hosts 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. Kosher refreshments served. Details: Jolie, 732-202-1000 or email [email protected]
• See a 19th century gristmill in action at Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold, from 1-4 p.m. Aug. 24, 25 and 31, and Sept. 1. Sponsored by the Monmouth County Park System. This is a free event. Details: 732-842-4000.
• See a 19th century gristmill in action at Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold, from 1-4 p.m. Aug. 31 and Sept. 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, 28 and 29. Sponsored by the Monmouth County Park System. This is a free event. Demonstrations run through November. Details: 732-842-4000.
• 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. 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
• Fishing 101 – A Beginner’s Guide to Fishing will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 28 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 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.
• 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.