• 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 New Jersey State Museum, Trenton, will present “Preserving the Pinelands: Albert Horner’s Portraits of a National Treasure,” opening Oct. 12. The exhibition features images by photographer Albert Horner which capture the quiet beauty and intimate landscapes of New Jersey’s Pinelands National Reserve. A number of artifacts and scientific specimens from the museum’s collections help tell some of the stories of the land, animals, people and industries that make this unique area a state and national treasure. “Preserving the Pinelands” will be on view through June 28, 2020. Details: www.statemuseum.nj.gov
• The Jackson Library will host “Friends Fun Fair” from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Oct. 22. Celebrate National Friends of the Library Month with fun, games, raffles, crafts for children and adults, refreshments and more. Face painting from 10 a.m. to noon. Registration is not required for this event. Details: 732-928-4400.
• Vendors are still being sought for the Jackson Liberty High School Lion Band’s seventh annual vendor and craft fair to be held at the high school, 125 North Hope Chapel Road, Jackson, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 8. The event will feature vendors, free admission, free parking, a mega 50/50 and refreshments. Details: [email protected]
• The Jackson Memorial High School Jaguar Marching Band will host a “Showcase of Champions” marching band competition on Oct. 5 at Jack Munley Field at the high school, 101 Don Connor Blvd., Jackson. All are invited to attend and watch award-winning bands from around the state compete and be judged on the music and performance of their field show. There will be a gift basket auction. Gates open at 4 p.m. and the music will begin at 5:45 p.m. Admission is $10.
• The Jewish Heritage Museum of Monmouth County, 310 Mount’s Corner Drive, Freehold Township, will present a talk by Susan Addelston, “The Elite Eight Jewish Supreme Court Justices,” at 2 p.m. Oct. 27. Admission is $8 for museum members and $10 for non-members. To make a paid reservation (non-refundable), call 732-252-6990, or visit www.jhmomc.org
• The Monmouth County Park System will sponsor The Casual Birder on Oct. 31 at 9 a.m. at the Manasquan Reservoir, Howell. Meet in the Environmental Center parking lot. Join a naturalist for a laid-back morning bird walk. Open to ages 8 and up; under 16 with adult. This is a free event. Details: 732-842-4000.
• The Ramtown-Howell Fire Company will hold an open house from 6-8 p.m. Oct. 9 at the fire station on Ramtown-Greenville Road during Fire Prevention Week. Community members are invited to visit with firefighters, Sparky the Fire Dog and other friends from the community. A firefighting demonstration will take place during the event. Refreshments will be served. Applications for fire company membership will be available. Details: 732-458-0222 (leave a message for firefighter Jim Gaul).
• The Monmouth County Park System invites area residents to attend a public information session regarding its recently completed draft to update the Monmouth County Open Space Plan. Park system staff will review the plan and take public comments. The session will take place at 7 p.m. Oct. 2 at the Manasquan Reservoir Environmental Center, 331 Georgia Tavern Road, Howell. The open space plan illustrates the importance the park system places on the preservation of natural resources, connections with community, and county residents’ quality of life. Details: 732-842-4000, ext. 4312.
• Jackson Rotary Club will sponsor a bus trip to the Tropicana Casino, Atlantic City, on Dec. 2 for the Christmas show. Cost of the trip is $65 and includes bus transportation, show ticket, buffet, $15 in slot play and gratuity for the bus driver. The bus will leave Jackson at 10:30 a.m. and return at 7:30 p.m. Proceeds from the trip will go to Rotary Club charities. Space is limited. Contact Tom Barchie at 732-207-4029 or 732-849-6309 for reservations.
• The Jackson Library, 2 Jackson Drive, Jackson, will host various events during October. “Brain Joggers,” 10 a.m. Oct. 7. Exercise your mind by playing games and working puzzles; “Evening Film,” 6 p.m. Oct. 7. No admission fee, call 732-928-4400 for additional information; “Prose and Ink Writers’ Group,” 6:30 p.m. Oct. 7, 14, 21, and 28. Participants should bring in three to five pages of a work in progress for constructive critique. No registration is required; “Armchair Traveling Series: Holy Lands 2-Israel,” 10 a.m. Oct. 11. Explore the world without leaving the library. This documentary will take you on a tour of Israel; “Mindfulness Meditation: On Death and Dying,” 11 a.m. Oct. 17. Learn how to meditate on death in order to embrace life and navigate grief through this gentle practice. This session is open to novice and advanced practitioners; “Afternoon Film,” 2:30 p.m. Oct. 17. No admission fee, call 732-928-4400 for additional information; “Evening Film,” 6 p.m. Oct. 28. No admission fee, call 732-928-4400 for additional information. Registration is required for these free events unless otherwise noted. To register, call 732-928-4400.
• The Howell Municipal Alliance will offer mental health first aid certificate training, open to all interested individuals age 18 and over, on Oct. 5. The course provides the tools to identify when someone may be struggling with a mental health or substance use problem and to connect them with appropriate support and resources when necessary. Training will take place at the Howell municipal building from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (lunch provided). To register, visit Eventbrite – https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mental-health-first-aid-certificate-
training-registration-69887277729. Details: Christa Riddle, 732-938-4500, ext. 4012.
• 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]
• The Jackson Library will host several business-related programs presented in partnership with SCORE of Ocean County. “Website Design Tips for Your Business,” 6:30 p.m. Oct. 23. Internet marketing specialist Maureen Rushalski reviews design techniques and tips to improve a website. “How to Launch a Successful Small Business,” 6:30 p.m. Dec. 4, presented by Glenn Harris. Registration is required for these free programs. To register, call 732-928-4400.
• The Monmouth County Park System will present Thompson Park Day from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 20 at Thompson Park, Route 520, Lincroft. There will be pumpkin painting, wagon rides, children’s races, entertainment and more. Some activities have a fee. Admission and parking are free. Details: 732-842-4000.
• iPlay America, Freehold Township, will host an American Red Cross blood drive from 2-7 p.m. Oct. 24. The event will be sponsored by the Sunrise Optimist Club of Freehold. Appointments to donate are preferred, however, walk-ins are welcome. Individuals interested in donating blood may call Maureen at 732-616-2193 or email [email protected]
• A craft fair will be held at the Freehold Township Senior Center, 116 Jackson Mills Road, Freehold Township, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 9. Vendor tables are available ($15 for a 6-foot table). A variety of craft and holiday items will be available for purchase. Details: 732-294-2029.
• The 24th annual Monmouth County Archives and History Day will be held on Oct. 12 at Monmouth County Library Headquarters, 125 Symmes Drive, Manalapan. At 1 p.m., actress and writer Michele LaRue will present her interpretation of contemporary writing from the late 19th and early 20th centuries in a piece entitled “Someone Must Wash the Dishes: An Anti-Suffrage Satire.” Details: Visit MonmouthCountyClerk.com/Archives or call 732-308-3771, ext. 3776.
• Performing Arts Ensemble will hold auditions for “The Nutcracker” and other shows at 7 p.m. Oct. 4 at the Middletown Arts Center (next to the train station in Middletown). Needed are teen and young adult pointe dancers, gymnasts, male actors, dancers of all kinds and children age 4 and up to participate in upcoming performances. Call Evelyn at 732-614-5426 for other audition times and locations.
• 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.
• 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
• 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 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.