• The Freehold Jewish Center Adult Education Committee will present the film “93 Queen” at 10:30 a.m. Feb. 9 at the synagogue in Freehold Borough. All are welcome to attend. The film is set in the Hasidic enclave of Borough Park, Brooklyn, and follows a group of women who are creating the first all-female volunteer ambulance corps in New York City. There is a requested $5 donation for coffee, bagels and shmears. RSVP to 732-462-0254.
• Freehold Public Library, East Main Street, Freehold Borough, will host Steve Kahofer for an author talk at 7 p.m. Feb. 12. Kahofer’s novel “Monopoly Games” is a character-driven thriller drawn from the author’s military and business experience. The author’s talk is sponsored by the library’s writing club, “Come Write In!” All are welcome to attend.
• Dr. Walter Greason of Monmouth University will present “A Century Ago: Freehold in 1920” at 7 p.m. Feb. 13 at the Freehold Public Library, East Main Street, Freehold Borough. This is the first of a three-part series “New Conversations About the History of Monmouth County.” Details: 732-462-5135.
• The B’nai B’rith Ketubah Unit (55-plus) will have lunch at the Pine Tavern, 151 Route 34 North, Matawan, at 2 p.m. Feb. 16. The price is the cost of a guest’s meal. Prospective member couples and singles are welcome to join the group for lunch. RSVP to Elaine at 908-232-0062 by Feb. 12.
• The Manalapan-Englishtown Regional School District Board of Education will hold the following public meetings: Feb. 4, 7:30 p.m., Pine Brook School, 155 Pease Road, Manalapan; and Feb. 18, 7:30 p.m., Pine Brook School, 155 Pease Road, Manalapan. Details: 732-786-2500.
• DeBows United Methodist Church, corner of Route 571 and Route 537, Jackson, will host a country western themed worship service at 5 p.m. Feb. 9. This will be a casual service featuring many old-time gospel favorites. Everyone is welcome to attend. Starting in March, this service will be held on the first Sunday of each month at 5 p.m. Details: debowsumc.org
• “Are the Kids Alright,” a discussion about young people’s mental health, will be presented at 10:30 a.m. Feb. 23 at the Freehold Jewish Center, Freehold Borough, by the staff of Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Greater Monmouth County. All are invited to attend. RSVP to 732-462-0254 or [email protected]
• The Jewish Home for Rehabilitation and Nursing, Freehold Township, will host a “Dinner Talk Series – Early Dementia” presentation by Dr. Joshua Shua-Haim at 5:30 p.m. Jan. 29. The presentation is open to the public. Shua-Haim is a geriatric care specialist. RSVP requested to Pam Montemurno at 732-773-3031 or [email protected]
• The Land Conservancy of New Jersey is accepting applications for its 2020 scholarship
program. Potential candidates must be New Jersey residents currently enrolled in (and in good standing at) an accredited college or university, with at least 15 credits completed and an academic average equivalent to a 3.0 or higher. The scholarships are for residents who are pursuing degrees in environmental science, natural resource management, conservation, park administration and related fields. Deadline to apply is April 1. Applications can be downloaded from www.tlc-nj.org or obtained by calling 973-541-1010, ext. 14.
• 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 and special projects at each meeting. Evening stitchers will meet from 7-9 p.m. Feb. 3 at the Colts Neck Library, 1 Winthrop Drive, Colts Neck. Day stitchers will meet from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 20 at the Colts Neck Community Church, 25 Merchants Way, Colts Neck. Details: Toni, 732-462-5540, or www.mcega.org
• The fifth annual Home Garden Symposium presented by the Rutgers Master Gardeners of Monmouth County will be held from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 28 at the Rutgers Cooperative Extension, Monmouth County Agriculture Building, 4000 Kozloski Road, Freehold Township. There will be lectures, demonstrations, exhibits about invasive species and more. Pre-registration ($10) is required. Vist tinyurl.com/HomeGarden2020. Details: Email [email protected] or 732-303-7614.
• 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.
• The Friends of Freehold Public Library will meet at the library, East Main Street, Freehold Borough, at 7 p.m. Jan. 30. The group supports the library by advocacy, planning events and fundraising. New participants are welcome. Call 732-462-5135 for more information.
• Freehold Knights of Columbus Council No. 1672, 70 E. Main St., Freehold Borough, invites boys and girls ages 5 to 12 and their families to Kids Day from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Feb. 8. This is a free event. Enjoy a magic show featuring The Amazing Randy, arts and crafts, games, hot dogs, hamburgers and nachos. All are invited to a fun family day. Details: Brian, 732-547-5805, or [email protected]
• Liberty Oak Chorus, a chapter of Sweet Adelines International, welcomes all ladies who love to sing to a special Guest Night from 7-10 p.m. Feb. 13. The chorus will perform some of its favorite songs and guests may participate while discovering their ideal voice parts. Guest Night will be held in the performing arts room at Applewood Senior Living, 1 Applewood Drive (off Gully Road), Freehold Township. Ladies may RSVP to [email protected] or call 732-295-4572. The chorus is preparing to compete in the Sweet Adelines International event in Louisville, Ky., later this year.
• Monmouth County Park System will present the Casual Birder at 9 a.m. Feb. 6 at the Dorbrook Recreation Area, Colts Neck (meet in the soccer field parking area). Join a park system naturalist for a bird walk. No experience identifying birds is required. Dress for the weather (including light rain or snow). Free. Details: 732-842-4000.
• Monmouth County Park System will sponsor a roving naturalist program at 9 a.m. Feb. 1 at Big Brook Park, Marlboro (meet in the main parking lot), and at 9 a.m. Feb. 15 at Freneau Woods Park, Aberdeen (meet in the visitor center parking lot). Join a roving naturalist for a leisurely walk and discuss seasonal points of interest. 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. Free. Details: 732-842-4000.
• New Jersey Blood Services will conduct a blood drive from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Feb. 2 at Temple Shaari Emeth, 400 Craig Road, Manalapan. To donate blood or for information about how to organize a blood drive, call 1-800-933-2566 or visit www.nybloodcenter.org
• The Hebrew Academy, Marlboro, will hold a Casino Night at 8 p.m. Feb. 1 at the Freehold Jewish Center, Freehold Borough. Advance registration is $90 per person ($100 at the door). Admission includes food, open bar, table games, (blackjack, roulette, poker), dessert buffet and music. Prizes will be awarded. Register online at www.the hebrewacademynj.org/events. Details: 732-431-5525.
• The Hebrew Academy, Marlboro, will host a free PJ Library Winter Beach Ball Character Breakfast and Pajama Party for children of all ages from 10-11:30 a.m. Feb. 9. There will be indoor summer fun featuring sand art, beach ball fun, sno-cones, PJ Library activities, Mr. Sam and special appearances by Princess Elsa and Olaf. Children are encouraged to wear their favorite pajamas. RSVP is required to Linda Glickstein, at 732-431-5525. The PJ Library sends free Jewish children’s books to children and is funded by the Jewish Federation in the Heart of New Jersey.
• The Freehold Branch of the American Association of University Women will present Carol Simon at its Feb. 6 meeting. Simon will portray Lillian Feickert, president of the New Jersey Suffrage Association (1912-20). Learn about New Jersey’s role in enacting the 10th amendment. The public is invited and the meeting will begin at 7:30 pm at the West Freehold Elementary School, 100 Castronova Way (off Route 537), Freehold Township.
• 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 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]
• 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
• 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.
• “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
• 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.