• 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 Colts Neck Historical Preservation Committee will present a country Christmas at the historic Montrose School at the corner of Montrose Road and Cedar Drive, Colts Neck, from 12:30-4 p.m. Dec. 8. All are invited to come take a photo with Santa, enjoy refreshments and holiday music by the Mike Wells Trio.
• The Freehold Borough Arts Council will present its seventh annual arts and crafts show on Dec. 7 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Unique gift items and visual art by local artists and crafters will be available for purchase. The event will take place in the Park Avenue Elementary School gym, 280 Park Ave., Freehold Borough. Free admission, free parking, handicap accessible. All are welcome to attend.
• A Hanukkah care package drive for Jewish troops who are serving overseas will be held from Dec. 1-10. Individuals and organizations may drop off kosher food items and snacks (non-perishable, with a reliable kosher certification) – Hanukkah chocolate gelt, dreidels and other games, articles of clothing and toiletries – at the Jewish Home for Rehabilitation and Nursing, 151 W. Main St. (Route 537), Freehold Township; Mattison Crossing at Manalapan Avenue, 93 Manalapan Ave., Freehold Borough; and Veteran Care Services, 1200 River Ave., Building 9, Lakewood. Details: Jolie, 848-240-4073.
• Jews of India: The History and Practices of the Bene Israel, Cochin and Baghdadi Jews will have an opening reception from 2-4 p.m. Dec. 15 at the Jewish Heritage Museum of Monmouth County, Freehold Township. Suggested donation is $15 per person, free for children and students. Details: 732-252-6990 or https://www.jhmomc.org
• Join King Financial Network for its second annual King Coat Drive to benefit RISE and Kids & Adults For Coats of Manalapan and surrounding communities in need. Bring gently used and new coats of all sizes to the King Financial Network parking lot from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 14 at the Justin Corporate Center, 198 Route 9 North (at Taylors Mills Road), Manalapan. There will be free food from the Twisted Biscuit Food Truck and hot chocolate for all who donate. Santa Claus will greet those who visit.
• The Hebrew Academy, Marlboro, will host a Vendor Night from 6-9 p.m. Dec. 12. Admission is free and includes two raffle tickets. Vendors include jewelry, personalized gifts, beauty products, clothing, Judaica and more. Child care will be available. Food will be available for purchase. Details: Linda Glickstein, 732-431-5525, or [email protected]
• Children are invited to make a gingerbread house for the holidays at 2 p.m. Dec. 7 at the Chelsea at Solana Marlboro, 52 Route 520, Marlboro. Individuals who are interested in attending are asked to RSVP to Kristy at 732-536-3000 by Dec. 2.
• The film “A Bottle in the Gaza Sea” will be shown at 10:30 a.m. Dec 8 at the Freehold Jewish Center, Freehold Borough. The story centers on Naim, a 20-year-old Israeli woman, and Tal, a 17-year-old Palestinian boy. They must endure an explosive situation that is not of their choosing at an age where young people are falling in love and taking their place in adult life. A $5 donation for coffee, bagels and shmears is requested. All are welcome to attend. RSVP to 732-462-0254.
• The Sounds of Christmas will be presented from 1-3 p.m. Dec. 8 at Historic Longstreet Farm, Longstreet Road, Holmdel. Hear Larry Moser and Mary Nagin play Christmas carols on the hammered dulcimer and fiddle. This is a free event. Details: 732-842-4000.
• Enjoy an old-fashioned Victorian Christmas at Historic Longstreet Farm, Longstreet Road, Holmdel, from noon to 3 p.m. Dec. 21-22. Children can visit with Santa, take a walk to the farmhouse and have a cup of cider. This is a free event. Details: 732-842-4000.
• A Wondrous Winter Walk will be held from 10-11:30 a.m. Dec. 18 at the Manasquan Reservoir, Howell, meet in the Environmental Center parking lot. Tag along with a Monmouth County Park System naturalist and explore nature in the wintertime. Open to all ages; under 18 with adult. Sturdy footwear is recommended; trails used may have inclines or tree roots to step over. This is a free event. Details: 732-842-4000.
• A cookstove demonstration will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 7 at Historic Longstreet Farm, Longstreet Road, Holmdel. Guests can see what is cooking on the woodstove and discover how recipes, cooking techniques and kitchens have changed since the 1890s. This is a free event. Details: 732-842-4000.
• The Monmouth County Park System’s annual student and instructor exhibit and sale will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 7-8 at the Thompson Park Creative Arts Center, Lincroft. The event features the original artwork of our students and instructors. Admission and parking are free. Details: 732-842-4000.
• 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
• 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.
• 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.