• The Jackson Library, 2 Jackson Drive, Jackson, is seeking yarn donations. The Knit-Chat-Chain volunteers make items with yarn to donate to individuals in need. Donations of four-ply worsted yarn may be dropped off at the Circulation Desk during the library’s hours of operation. Details: 732-928-4400.
• 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 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.
• 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.
• New Jersey Blood Services will conduct blood drives at the Howell Donor Center, 4068 Route 9 South, on the following dates: Jan. 2, 2-9 p.m.; Jan. 7, 1-8 p.m.; Jan. 8, 7:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.; Jan. 9, 2-9 p.m.; Jan. 14, 1-8 p.m.; and Jan. 15, 7:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. To donate blood or for information about how to organize a blood drive, call 1-800-933-2566.
• The Jackson Library will present the following events in January:
• “Wellness Initiative for Senior Education,” 11:30 a.m. Jan. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 and Feb. 7. The six-week, evidence-based substance abuse prevention and wellness program will cover topics from stress management and healthy living to medication management and prescription drug abuse. Free lunch will be provided. Registrants agree to attend all six sessions.
• “Wall Calendars for the New Year,” 10 a.m. Jan. 7. Color a 2020 wall calendar. Supplies will be provided.
• “Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service,” Jan. 20 through Jan. 25. Crochet or knit at home, and drop off your items to the Circulation Department during normal branch hours. All sizes of hats, blankets, fingerless gloves, mittens and leg warmers will be accepted. Items will be donated to local charities. Items will not be accepted before Jan. 20 or after Jan. 25.
• “In Remembrance of Martin,” 2:30 p.m. Jan. 20. This documentary features personal comments from family members, friends and advisers of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and also includes portions of his “I Have A Dream” speech. The film is available through the Library’s Kanopy digital service.
• “The Light of Hope (La Ilum D’Elna),” 2 p.m. Jan. 27. The film will be screened in honor of International Holocaust Remembrance Day. It is based on the true story of Elisabeth Eidenbenz and her female co-workers, who saved the lives of almost 600 infants in World War II. Courtesy of the Library’s Kanopy digital service.
• “Send Valentine’s Greetings to a Child in the Hospital,” 10 a.m. Jan. 29. All are welcome to drop in and design a card for a child in the hospital. Cards will be sent to Cards for Hospitalized Kids, an internationally recognized charitable organization. Registration is not required.
• “Souper Bowl: Great Soups and Appetizers for Game Day,” 3 p.m. Jan. 31. Learn how to make great soups and appetizers with Jennifer Klein, a registered dietitian with Perlmutter Family ShopRite.
Registration is required for these free events, unless otherwise noted. To register, call 732-928-4400.
• The Howell Alliance will host a Healthy Community Think Tank on Jan. 6. Topics discussed at quarterly meetings include social media/technology use, vaping, underage drinking, marijuana use and mental health. Community members are welcome to share their ideas and perspective in an informal environment to enrich the community’s commitment to youth at-risk behavior prevention. No membership is necessary. The 2020 meeting dates are Jan. 6, April 6, July 6 and Oct. 5 at 7 p.m. at Echo Lake Pavilion, 1225 Maxim-Southard Road, Howell. Details: 732-938-4500, ext. 4012, or [email protected]
• “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
• 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.
• 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 submit items at least two weeks prior to a scheduled event.