• “Fine Feathered Friends: Birds as Mainstay and Muse” will open at the New Jersey State Museum, Trenton, on Jan. 4. The exhibition brings the fun of bird watching indoors through nearly 200 rarely seen artifacts and specimens exploring birds as an ecological mainstay and their role as a design-inspiring force, or muse, for New Jersey artisans. The exhibition will be on view through Sept. 13. Museum hours are 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday; closed on Mondays and state holidays. Details: www.statemuseum.nj.gov
• There will be a meeting of the Monmouth Ski Club at 8 p.m. Jan. 8 at the Wild Rover, 153 Shrewsbury Ave., Red Bank. New members are welcome. Come and learn about incentives for new members. The club meets on the first Wednesday of every month (Feb. 5, March 4). Off the slopes throughout the year, club members enjoy kayaking, fishing, biking, hiking and golfing, and indoor fun of quilting, reading groups and theme parties. Details: www.monmouthskiclub.com
• Chris Tracy, a professional genealogist, will speak at the Jan. 12 meeting of the
Monmouth County Genealogy Society at the Community Center, 72 Broad St., Eatontown. All are welcome to attend. There will be refreshments and networking at 1:30 p.m., followed by the business meeting and speaker at 2 p.m. Admission is free. Details: 732-747-0090.
• Join a Monmouth County Park System roving naturalist at 9 a.m. Jan. 4 at Turkey Swamp Park, Freehold Township, meet in the main parking lot. Take a leisurely walk and discuss seasonal points of interest and search for signs of wildlife. 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 and snow are not deterrents. This is a free program. Details: 732-842-4000.
• Parlor Games for Wintry Weather will be presented from noon to 2:30 p.m. Jan. 25 at Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel. Play forgotten 1890s games like Halma and Basilinda, or old-time favorites like Backgammon, Checkers and Reversi. Open to ages 6 and up. This is a free program. Details: 732-842-4000.
• A Yarn Bee will be held at Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel, from noon to 2:30 p.m. Jan. 4. All are welcome to this gathering. Knit or crochet at your own pace, and farm staff will be on hand to assist those learning. Bring your own supplies or borrow from the Monmouth County Park System for the session. Open to ages 10 and up; under 18 with adult. The cost is $5 per person; cash or check only. Details: 732-842-4000.
• John Fabiano, executive director of the Monmouth County Historical Commission, will explore Joshua Huddy’s Revolutionary War service, his execution and the circumstances leading to the Paris Peace Treaty’s eventual success during a presentation at the Allentown Library at 7 p.m. Feb. 18. All are welcome to attend, Space is limited and registration is required. Details: 609-259-7565.
• The Italian American Association of Monmouth County will present “The Legend of La Befana” on Jan. 5 from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (show begins at 12:30 p.m.) at the Reception Center at St. Clement, Matawan. Admission is $18 for children ages 3 to 10, and $25 for adults. Price includes performance, buffet, coffee, tea, dessert and a goody bag for children. Colazione (breakfast) will be served from 10:30 a.m. to noon. RSVP by Dec. 26. Details: Cheryl Scuorzo, 732-536-5832. Download form at www.iaaofmc.com
• 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 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.