• 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.
• Freehold Elks Lodge No. 1454, 73 E. Main St., Freehold Borough, will serve an “All You Can Eat, Made to Order Breakfast” on Jan. 19 from 9 a.m. to noon (last seating is 11:30 a.m.). Cost is $9 for adults, $5 for children under 12. All are welcome to attend.
• Freehold Elks Motorcycle Committee will host its seventh annual Wings and Chili Cook-Off on Championship Sunday, Jan. 19, from 3-7 p.m. Sample all the wings and chili and cast a vote. Admission is $15 and all are welcome to attend.
• Monmouth County Park System will sponsor a bus trip to the Philadelphia Flower Show on March 6. Bus leaves at 11:30 a.m. from Thompson Park, Lincroft, and returns at 8:30 p.m. An additional trip is planned for March 7 (same times). The cost is $82 per person and pre-registration is required. Details: www.MonmouthCountyParks.com or call 732-842-4000, ext. 1.
• The Arcadian Chorale, an ensemble dedicated to excellence in choral singing, will begin its spring season with rehearsals every Tuesday from 7-10 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of Matawan. People who like to sing and are interested in becoming new members are invited to attend auditions on Jan. 28, Feb. 4 and Feb. 11 from 6-7 p.m. Membership in the group is free. To arrange an audition in advance or for additional information, call 732-583-4007 or email [email protected]
• The Fresh Air Fund’s Friendly Towns Program is seeking local families to host children from New York City this summer. The Fresh Air Fund has provided free summer experiences to more than 1.8 million New York City children from low-income communities since 1877. First time Fresh Air children are boys and girls, ages 7 to 13, who live in New York City. Details: Karen Medlin, 732-740-0449, or visit www.FreshAir.org
• Monmouth County Park System is hosting a bus trip to the American Museum of Natural History, New York, on Feb. 22. The museum features the Rose Center for Earth and Space, four floors of exhibits, an IMAX theater and gift shop. The trip is open to all ages; under 18 with adult. Bus leaves at 8:30 a.m. from Thompson Park, Lincroft, and will return at 5 p.m. Pre-registration is required. The cost of the trip is $42 per person and includes bus transportation and park system leader only. For the museum’s ticket information and pricing, visit www.amnh.org. To register, visit www.MonmouthCountyParks.com or call 732-842-4000, ext. 1.
• Freehold Intermediate School presents Winterfest! on Feb. 1. Doors open at 5 p.m. at 280 Park Ave., Freehold Borough. All are invited to attend. There will be a pasta dinner, a basket raffle, a 50/50 raffle, entertainment and fun for the family. Admission: $8 adults, $5 children, includes dinner and dessert. Details: Email [email protected]
• The 2020 Discussion Series will resume on Jan. 21 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. with a presentation by Lisa Testa about “Body in Balance – Holistic Approach to Healthy Eating and Weight Loss.” The presentation will take place at the Co-Cathedral of St. Robert Bellarmine, 61 Georgia Road, Freehold Township. Adults of all ages are invited. The series is free, non-sectarian, open to the community and sponsored by Kathy Lo Bue, managing director, Glen Eagle Advisors, LLC. RSVP to 732-866-6660.
• Forsgate Country Club, Monroe Township, will host Camp Forsgate in weekly sessions from June 29 through Aug. 14 for children ages 5-10. Camp runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Before-care and after-care will be available. Camp activities include golf, fitness, swimming, arts and crafts, STEM and more. Weekly tuition: Members, $330; Non-members, $370. Details: www.kecamps.com
• New Jersey Blood Services will conduct a blood drive from 1:30-7:30 p.m. Jan. 17 at the Freehold Raceway Mall, Freehold Township. To donate blood or for information about how to organize a blood drive, call 1-800-933-2566 or visit www.nybloodcenter.org
• Supporters of LADACIN Network will participate in the 12th annual LADACIN Plunge in Manasquan on Jan. 18 to support LADACIN’s educational, therapeutic, social, residential and support services for more than 3,500 infants, children and adults with complex physical and developmental disabilities or delays living in Monmouth and Ocean counties. On-site registration will begin at Leggett’s Sand Bard & Restaurant at 10:30 a.m. At 12:30 p.m., participants will hit the beach. Details: www.ladacin.org and click on Events, or contact Cathy Claps at 732-493-5900, ext. 263.
• The Freehold Memorial Day Parade Committee, in conjunction with Federici’s Family Restaurant, Freehold Borough, is having a fundraiser all day on Jan. 21. Federici’s will donate 20% of a customer’s pre-tax check to the Parade Committee to assist in putting on the parade in 2020. Print out a flier and hand it in when paying. Visit www.freeholdmemorialdayparade.com and click on the Fundraising tab to download the flier.
• “Fine Feathered Friends: Birds as Mainstay and Muse” is open at the New Jersey State Museum, Trenton. 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. 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
• 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.
• 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. 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
• 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.