• Old Tennent Presbyterian Church, 448 Tennent Road, Manalapan, will present its annual Christmas Drive Through from 6-8:30 p.m. Dec. 7-8. All community members are invited to drive through the grounds of the Old Tennent Cemetery and see a portrayal of the Journey to Bethlehem in 12 live scenes. This is a free event. Details: oldtennent.org or 732-446-6299.
• The 27th annual rummage sale will be held at the Morganville United Methodist Church, 215 Conover Road (off Route 79), Marlboro, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 8 and from 9 a.m. to noon Nov. 9 (bag sale). Items available for purchase will include clothing, accessories, linens, home décor, housewares, toys, jewelry, electronics, holiday items, sporting goods and more. Breakfast and lunch will be available for purchase. Homemade bake goods will also be available. All are welcome to attend. Details: 732-598-4658.
• CentraState Medical Center is offering a forum, Sweet Success: Preventing and Managing Diabetes, from 5:30-8 p.m. Nov. 6 at the Star and Barry Tobias Ambulatory Campus, 901 W. Main St., Freehold Township. Registration begins at 5 p.m. Healthcare experts specializing in diabetes will be on hand to answer questions. The event is free, however, space is limited and registration is required. To register, call 732-308-0570.
• 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 on Nov. 4 from 7-9 p.m. at the Colts Neck Library, 1 Winthrop Drive, Colts Neck. Day stitchers will meet on Nov. 21 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
• “Navajo Code Talkers,” a program about a group of American heroes from World War II, will be presented at the Freehold Public Library, East Main Street, Freehold Borough, at 2:30 p.m. Nov. 2. The event will feature special guests Donald Buzney and Danny Scott. All are welcome to attend.
• A fall turkey supper will be held at the First Presbyterian Church of Englishtown, 50 Main St., Englishtown. All are welcome to attend on Nov. 2 for a buffet style turkey supper. There will be one seating at 5 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults. Children (5-12) are $5. Children under 5 are free. For tickets, call 908-385-0203.
• 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: Nov. 7 and Dec. 5. Details: 732-462-5470.
• 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.
• Freehold Borough Arts Council’s seventh annual arts and crafts show will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 7 at the Park Avenue Elementary School gym, 280 Park Ave., Freehold Borough. Artists and crafters are invited to visit the FBAC.org Facebook page to obtain registration information or contact Lynn Reich, 732-462-3357. Sales vendors will not be accepted.
• The Freehold Memorial Day Parade Committee, in conjunction with The Cabin, Route 33, Howell, will host a fundraiser from 5-10 p.m. Nov. 19. The Cabin will donate 20% of a guest’s pre-tax check to the committee to assist in putting on the Memorial Day parade in 2020. Inform the hostess you are there for the parade fundraiser. Click on the Fundraising tab at www.freeholdmemorialdayparade.com to download the flier.
• Because She Is, a nonprofit support organization, will sponsor a free program for trauma survivors. A process painting women’s group led by Elissa Arbeitman will be held from 6-8 p.m. Nov. 20 at Wild and Free Painting, Manalapan. No prior art experience is needed to enjoy the benefits of this process. All materials and tools will be provided. Attendance is free for trauma survivors through Because She Is. Space is limited to eight participants and reservations must be made in advance. Details: 732-962-3115.
• Join a Monmouth County Park System roving naturalist for a leisurely walk on well-maintained trails and discuss seasonal points of interest, search for signs of wildlife and identify a bird or two at 9 a.m. Nov. 23 at Perrineville Lake Park, Millstone Township. Meet in the Agress Road parking lot. This is a 90-minute to two-hour program, but feel free to join in or drop out at any point. Dress for the weather as light rain is not a deterrent. This is a free program. Details: 732-842-4000.
• See a 19th century gristmill in action at Historic Walnford, Walnford Road, Upper Freehold Township, from 1-4 p.m. Nov. 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23 and 24. Presented by the Monmouth County Park System. This is a free event. Details: 732-842-4000.
• Take a one-horse open sleigh selfie from 1-4 p.m. Nov. 16-17 at Historic Walnford, Walnford Road, Upper Freehold Township. Guests may bring a camera and the Monmouth County Park System will provide the props, including a red sleigh, hats and bonnets for fun holiday photos outside. This is a free event. Details: 732-842-4000.
• Monmouth County Park System will present a fall craft show from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 9 at the Fort Monmouth Recreation Center, Tinton Falls. Admission and parking are free. All are welcome to attend. Details: 732-842-4000.
• Monmouth County Park System will present a cookstove demonstration from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 9 and Nov. 23 at Historic Longstreet Farm, Longstreet Road, Holmdel. See what’s cooking on the wood stove and discover how recipes, cooking techniques and kitchens have changed since the 1890s. This is a free event. Details: 732-842-4000.
• The Heart of New Jersey Chorus will present “Silver Bells” with special guests The Trentones at 2 p.m. Dec. 7 (snow date, Dec. 8) at the Millstone Township Primary School, 18 Schoolhouse Road, Millstone Township. Doors open at 1 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Tickets for seniors and students are $12. Details: 732-474-8529 or email [email protected]
• The Deep Cut Orchid Society will hold its annual orchid show and sale from Feb. 6-9 in Dearborn Market’s 11,000-square-foot greenhouse, 2170 Route 35 South, Holmdel. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sunday. Visitors will view an array of orchids vying for American Orchid Society ribbons and trophies. There will be free guided tours, and educational and orchid-themed workshops for enthusiasts of all levels. Orchid experts will be on hand to answer questions. Admission and parking are free. Dearborn Market offers fresh food and deli selections for purchase.
• 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.
• 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 New Jersey State Museum, Trenton, is presenting “Preserving the Pinelands: Albert Horner’s Portraits of a National Treasure.” 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 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]
• 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
Items for the Datebook may be sent to [email protected]. Please send items at least two weeks prior to a scheduled event.