• 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.
• In honor of Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, Mattison Crossing, 93 Manalapan Ave., Freehold Borough, will host the second annual “Smash Out Alzheimer’s” fundraiser to benefit Alzheimer’s New Jersey from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 24. All are welcome to attend. For a $2 donation, participants will get a pumpkin, decorate it and then smash it in the assisted living community’s courtyard. All proceeds will be donated to the nonprofit that provides continuous support for New Jersey individuals and families affected by Alzheimer’s. There will also be crafters, community vendors, gift basket raffles, bands from Music University, performances by Dance Attitudes and more. Details: Jill Cirigliano, 732-303-8800.
• Children’s author Artie Bennett will visit Barnes and Noble, Route 9, Freehold Township, at 3 p.m. Nov. 21. This is a free event. Bennett’s books include “The Butt Book,” “Poopendous!” and “Belches, Burps, and Farts – Oh My!” He will discuss the science behind his books and sign copies of his books.
• The B’nai B’rith Ketubah Unit (55-plus) will meet for lunch at the Spain Inn, 1707 W. 7th St., Piscataway, at 2 p.m. Dec. 1. The cost is the price of a guest’s meal. The Ketubah Unit is open to Jewish couples and singles, and prospective members are welcome to attend. RSVP to Elaine at 908-232-0062 by Nov. 26.
• A clothing drive fundraiser organized by the Marlboro Youth Exchange Program will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 24 at Marlboro High School, 95 N. Main St. (Route 79). Items to be accepted are new and gently used men’s, women’s and children’s clothing, shoes, purses, belts, bed and bath linens, stuffed animals, bicycles and baby strollers. The Youth Exchange Program is also supporting an eyeglasses Drive. No pillows, toys, furniture, appliances or household items. Donors may pick up a tax deduction form before leaving. Details: Ilana Kats, 732-674-4989, or email [email protected]
• A holiday boutique will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 23 at Old Tennent Presbyterian Church (Old Scots Hall), 448 Tennent Road, Manalapan. The boutique is sponsored by the Missions and Outreach program. There will be crafts, jewelry, food and more. All are invited to attend. Details: 732-446-6299.
• Freehold Elks Ladies Auxiliary will host its annual Comedy Night, featuring the legendary Wid and Friends, on Nov. 30. Tickets purchased in advance are $18 (tickets will be $20 at the door). Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and showtime is 8:30 p.m. Food will be available for purchase from 6-8 p.m. All are welcome to attend. Details: Patty, 732-685-9493.
• 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
• “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
• 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. 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
• 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: Dec. 5. Details: 732-462-5470.
• 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.
• 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. 23 and 24. Presented by the Monmouth County Park System. This is a free event. Details: 732-842-4000.
• Monmouth County Park System will present a cookstove demonstration from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. 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.
• 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 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, 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
Items for the Datebook may be sent to [email protected]. Please send items at least two weeks prior to a scheduled event.