• DeBows United Methodist Church, corner of Route 537 and Route 571, Jackson, will host an early fall flea market from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 28. There will be a food concession. Table space for vendors is $10 and set-up begins at 7 a.m. Contact Sue, 732-928-0352 or [email protected] to reserve table space (tables not provided). There is no rain date. Details: www.debowsumc.org
• Morganville United Methodist Church, 215 Conover Road (corner of Route 79), Marlboro, is celebrating 150 years of faithfully serving God. All are welcome to attend a picnic on Sept. 15 (rain date, Sept. 22) following the 9:30 a.m. service. There will be old-fashioned games, a hayride and fun. Bring a covered dish to share. Hamburgers, hot dogs and refreshments will be provided. To reserve a spot or for more information, call Harry, 908-770-6607.
• A meeting of the Monmouth County Retired Educators Association will be held at 11 a.m. Oct. 15 at the Radisson, Freehold Township. A Meet and Greet for local candidates running for office will take place at 10:30 a.m., before the general meeting. The guest speaker will be an elder law attorney. Members are asked to bring a non-perishable donation for the food bank. For luncheon reservations, contact Sue at 732 995-7754 or email [email protected] before Oct. 4. New members are always welcome.
• Meet author Nikki Stern at New Jersey Chapter of Room to Read’s Book Club meeting at the Freehold Public Library, East Main Street, Freehold Borough, at 7 p.m. Sept. 18. Stern is the author of “The Wedding Crasher,” “The Former Assassin” and “Hope in Small Doses.” Refreshments served. All are welcome to attend. Details: 732-462-5135.
• Freehold Elks No. 1454 Motorcycle Committee will host a bike raffle drawing party and bike show from 1-6 p.m. Oct. 12 at 73 E. Main St., Freehold. A $20 donation includes food, drink and live music. Raffle tickets for a 2019 Harley Davidson Soft Tail Deluxe Motorcycle will be available, as well as tricky tray prizes. Bike show trophies will be awarded in six categories. All are welcome to attend.
• Freehold Elks Lodge No. 1454, 73 E. Main St., Freehold, will host an “All You Can Eat, Made to Order Breakfast” from 9 a.m. to noon Sept. 15 (last seating is 11:30 a.m.). The cost is $9 for adults and $5 for children under 12. All are welcome to attend.
• Temple Rodeph Torah, Marlboro, will present a discussion by Congressman Frank Pallone Jr. (D-NJ) and Assemblyman Daniel R. Benson (D-Mercer) at 10 a.m. Sept. 15 about how individuals can support progress on combating climate change.
Refreshments will be served. The speakers will be followed by fun environmental activities for the entire family. Pizza lunch available to families participating in the after-lunch program. RSVP appreciated (but not required) to https://trt.org/protect
• The Lakewood Historical Society and the Lakewood Heritage Commission are inviting the public to “An Afternoon with Boxing Icon Joe Louis” presented by boxing historian Eamo Clyne from Dublin, Ireland, at the Lakewood Historical Museum, Pine Park, at 2 p.m. Oct. 27. During World War II, Joe Louis lived and trained in Lakewood. He competed from 1934-51 and was the world heavyweight champion from 1937-49. Tickets are $5 and include light refreshments. For tickets, contact Sheila Hager at 848-240-5184 or [email protected]
• Hackensack Meridian Community Resource Center at Freehold Raceway Mall, Freehold Township, will host a free Alzheimer’s disease lecture from 4-5 p.m. Sept. 24 (first floor, Macy’s wing; in the mall, outside of Macy’s). Attendees will learn about the disease and coping skills. Registration is required, call 1-800-560-9990.
• Hackensack Meridian Community Resource Center at Freehold Raceway Mall, Freehold Township, will host a Safe Sitter babysitting training course from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sept. 14 (first floor Macy’s wing; in the mall, outside of Macy’s). Participants will learn how to keep children and themselves safe, call for emergency help, prevent injury and basic first aid. Participants must be between the ages of 11 and 14. Fee: $40. Space is limited. Registration is required, call 1-800-560-9990.
• Hackensack Meridian Community Resource Center at Freehold Raceway Mall, Freehold Township, will host a free “Power of Yoga” class from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Sept. 18 (first floor, Macy’s wing; in the mall, outside of Macy’s). Participants will have a one-hour yoga class, demonstrating different yoga exercises. Registration is required, call 1-800-560-9990.
• A Spiritual Evening with Gail Lionetti will be presented at Center Playhouse, 35 South St., Freehold, from 7-9:30 p.m. Sept. 27. Tickets are $50 plus $2 service charge, must be purchased in advance. To reserve a seat, call 732-462-9093.
• Old Brick Church, 490 Route 520, Marlboro, will host its fourth annual Trash and Treasure Sale and Flea Market from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 28 (rain date, Oct. 5). New, used, antique and vintage items will be sold. The church will offer a light lunch menu and baked goods, plus a variety of items for sale inside including jewelry, glassware, toys, sports equipment and household goods. Large vendor spaces (outside) are $18. Vendor forms on church website and Facebook page. Details: Sharon, 732-264-3046, or the church office, 732-946-8860.
• Freehold Memorial Day Parade Committee, in conjunction with the Cabin, Route 33, Howell, will have a fundraiser from 5-10 p.m. Sept. 17. During that time, the Cabin will donate 20% of a customer’s pre-tax check to the parade committee to assist in putting on the 2020 parade. Upon arrival, inform the hostess you are there for the fundraiser and you will be given you a slip to present to your server. Visit www.freeholdmemorialdayparade.com to download the flier.
• The 2019 Discussion Series will continue with a presentation by David R. Eisenstein, a brain fitness specialist, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Sept. 23 at the Co-Cathedral of St. Robert Bellarmine, 61 Georgia Road, Freehold Township. Eisenstein founded a company to help fight dementia, Alzheimer’s and other degenerative brain disorders. The series is sponsored by Kathy Lo Bue, managing director, Glen Eagle Advisors, LLC. The series is free, non-sectarian and open to the community. RSVP to 732-866-6660.
• The Arcadian Chorale, an ensemble dedicated to excellence in choral singing, will begin its 2019 fall season with rehearsals on Tuesdays from 7-9:45 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of Matawan, 883 Route 34. People who like to sing and are interested in becoming new members are invited to open auditions on Sept. 17 and 24 from 6-7 p.m. Membership in the group is free. The chorale’s 2019 fall program, “Cheer, Cheer, Cheerio – A British Christmas!” will celebrate the holidays with Handel’s “Dettingen Te Deum,” plus contemporary works by English composers and holiday favorites. Performances will take place in December in Freehold and Asbury Park. To arrange for an audition in advance or for additional information, call 732-583-4007 or email [email protected]
• The Jewish Heritage Museum of Monmouth County, Freehold Township, will present Arthur L. Finkle, a shofar sounder, author, educator and historian, in a discussion of “Shofar History and Technique” at 2 p.m. Sept. 18. Admission is $3 for museum members, $5 for non-members; students are free. Finkle will discuss the history of the shofar (a ram’s horn used on the high holidays) and demonstrate its use. To make a paid reservation (non-refundable), call 732-252-6990.
• 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 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: Oct. 3, Nov. 7 and Dec. 5. Details: 732-462-5470.
• New Jersey Blood Services will conduct blood drives which are open to the public. The following blood drives will be held: 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.
• 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
• 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.
• 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.
• 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. Sept. 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
• 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.