• “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
• The Shrewsbury Chorale is inviting individuals of high school age and up who love choral music to consider joining the chorale. Open rehearsals are scheduled for 7-9:30 p.m. Jan. 14, 21 and 28 at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Monmouth County, 1475 W. Front St. Lincroft. Singers of all voice parts are invited to attend a rehearsal. The chorale is preparing for its April and June concerts. The chorale rehearses weekly on Tuesday evenings. Scores will be provided and all events are free. Some music reading ability is desirable. Call 908-309-0602 to audition or visit www.shrewsburychorale.org
• 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.
• Join a Monmouth County Park System naturalist for a Wondrous Winter Walk from 10-11:30 a.m. Jan. 8 at Big Brook Park, Route 520, Marlboro, meet in the parking lot. Explore nature in the winter. Open to all ages, under 18 with adult. Sturdy footwear is recommended; trails may have inclines or tree roots to step over. This is a free program. Details: 732-842-4000.
• Join a Monmouth County Park System naturalist for The Casual Birder at 9 a.m. Jan. 9 at the Manasquan Reservoir, Howell, meet in the Environmental Center parking lot. Take a laid back 90-minute morning bird walk; no experience identifying birds is required. The walk will take place in light rain or snow. This is a free program. Details: 732-842-4000.
• An Introduction to the Lenape People will take place from 7-8 p.m. Jan. 16 at the
Freneau Woods Park Visitor Center, Aberdeen Township. Discover the daily life, beliefs and history of a people that once lived in New Jersey, southeastern New York, eastern Pennsylvania and northern Delaware at the time of European exploration and colonization. This is a free program, open to adults. 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.
• Freehold Borough will host a free rabies vaccination clinic for cats and dogs from 9-11 a.m. Jan. 11 at the Freehold Borough firehouse, 49 W. Main St. Residents of any municipality may attend. Animals do not have to be licensed to be vaccinated. Dogs must be on a short leash and cats must be in a carrier. Details: 732-462-7057.
• 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 at each meeting, as well as special projects. Evening stitchers will meet on Jan. 6 from 7-9 p.m. at the Colts Neck Library, 1 Winthrop Drive, Colts Neck. Day stitchers will meet on Jan. 16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Colts Neck Library, 1 Winthrop Drive, Colts Neck. Details: Toni, 732-462-5540, or www.mcega.org
• B’nai B’rith Ketubah Unit (55-plus) will meet for a buffet lunch on Jan. 12 at Snuffy’s Pantagis Renaissance, 250 Park Ave., Scotch Plains, at 11:30 a.m. The cost is $19.95 plus tax and tip. B’nai B’rith Ketubah Unit is open to Jewish couples and singles and prospective members are welcome to attend the brunch. RSVP to Elaine at 908-232-0062 by Jan. 6.
• The American Association of University Women, Freehold Branch, is accepting book donations for its 2020 used book sale. With the exception of Reader’s Digest, textbooks, religion, philosophy, reference, business and psychology, all book donations in good condition are appreciated. Proceeds support scholarships for women returning to college and monetary awards for graduating female seniors from the Freehold Regional High
School District. Contact Joan at 732-431-2297 for drop-off instructions.
• 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
• 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.