• Center Players Dessert Theater will hold auditions for “Same Time, Next Year” by Bernard Slade at Center Playhouse, 35 South St., Freehold, from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Nov. 16 and 12:30-2:30 p.m. Nov. 17. Performances will run the weekends of Feb. 14 through March 8. Those auditioning should bring a headshot and resume if possible; sides from the show will be provided. Non-union, no pay. Details: www.centerplayers.org
• A meeting of the Monmouth County Retired Educators Association will be held at 11 a.m. Dec. 10 at the Colts Neck Inn, 191 Route 537, Colts Neck. Members are asked to bring non-perishable donations for the food bank and an unwrapped new toy, book or gift card for Bridges At The Shore. New members are always welcome. For luncheon reservations, contact Sue at 732 995-7754 or email [email protected] before Nov. 29.
• Travis Zajac of the New Jersey Devils will make an appearance at The Event Center @iPA, Freehold Township, on Jan. 5 for an exclusive Q&A and meet and greet with fans. Zajac was selected by the Devils in 2004 as the 20th overall pick and has been with New Jersey his entire career. Doors will open at noon and the event will start at 1 p.m. VIP, photo opportunity and general admission tickets are available for purchase at www.iPlayAmerica.com/TravisZajac
• Millstone Township Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary will hold a fall rummage sale from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 16 at the Millstone Township firehouse, 461 Stagecoach Road. All are welcome to attend. All proceeds to benefit the fire company. Details: 609-346-4412 or 609-658-6386.
• Millstone Township will hold a holiday lighting ceremony from 6-8 p.m. Dec. 6 at the Millstone Township firehouse, Stagecoach Road. All are welcome to attend. There will be baked goods and refreshments, holiday crafts and a performance by the Millstone Township Middle School chorus. Santa Claus will be on hand for pictures. The tree lighting will take place outside. Details: 732-917-2954.
• Millstone Township Recreation is conducting a Toys For Tots drive from Nov. 4 through Dec. 6. Drop-off location is the Millstone Township municipal building, 470 Stagecoach Road, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. To volunteer or for additional information, call 732-917-2954 or visit www.millstonerec.org
• “Big Brother” stars Tommy Bracco and Christie Murphy of Season 21 will visit The Event Center at iPlay America, Freehold Township, on Dec. 27 to greet fans and answer questions. The event is open to all ages. Tickets are on sale now and include general admission, VIP and a Super VIP 21+ pre-show party. Door times will vary and all lines will form outside. The event will start at 8 p.m. Details: www.iPlayAmerica.com/BigBrother
• 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. 16, 17, 23 and 24. Presented by the Monmouth County Park System. This is a free event. Details: 732-842-4000.
• Explore the trails at Clayton Park, Upper Freehold Township, on an Awesome Autumn Amble from 10-11:30 a.m. Nov. 20. Join a Monmouth County Park System naturalist and discuss plant and animal phenomenon. Meet in the Emley’s Hill Road parking lot. Open to all ages; under 18 with adult. This is a free event. Details: 732-842-4000.
• The Monmouth County Park System will present the Casual Birder at 9 a.m. Nov. 14 at Crosswicks Creek Park, Upper Freehold Township. Meet in the Province Line Road parking lot. Join a naturalist for a laid-back morning bird walk. There is no need to be an expert at identifying birds. Open to ages 8 and up; under 18 with adult. 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.
• The Tri-County Chapter of Brandeis National Committee will host a program, “What Every Senior Needs to Know: How Wills, Trusts and Probate Really Work.” The presenter will be Carl G. Archer, president of the New Jersey Chapter of the Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. All are welcome to attend the presentation; free admission; light refreshments. The program will be held at 1:30 p.m. Nov. 19 at the Allentown First Aid Squad, 70 Route 526 (Waker Avenue), Allentown.
• 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.
• 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
• 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.
Items for the Datebook may be sent to [email protected]. Please submit items at least two weeks prior to a scheduled event.