• 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.
• 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
• 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.
• 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.
• New Jersey Blood Services will conduct the following blood drives in Howell: Feb. 4, Howell Donor Center, 4068 Route 9 South, 1-8 p.m.; Feb. 5, Howell Donor Center, 7:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.; Feb. 6, Howell Donor Center, 2-9 p.m.; Feb. 11, Howell Donor Center, 1-8 p.m.; Feb. 12, Howell Donor Center, 7:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.; Feb. 12, Howell Donor Center, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Feb. 13, Howell Elks, 84 Ramtown‑Greenville Road, 2-8 p.m.; and Feb. 13, Howell Donor Center, 2-9 p.m. To donate blood or for information about how to organize a blood drive, call 1-800-933-2566 or visit www.nybloodcenter.org
• The Jackson Library will present “Birdcage Bookcraft” at 3 p.m. March 25. Attendees will learn how to create beautiful, Victorian style birdcages from used books. Lace, flowers, beads and more will be provided for use as decorative trim. Registration is required for this free event. To register, contact the branch, 732-928-4400.
• The Jackson Library will host a program to commemorate Rare Disease Day at 2 p.m. Feb. 29. The program will be streamed live via https://www.facebook.com/oceancountylibrary. Amanda Rutherford of Brick Township will share her experiences in coping with cystic fibrosis. Registration is required for this free program. To register, call the branch at 732-928-4400. Register for the live stream at www.tinyurl.com/livestreamed
• 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 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.
• Jackson Rotary Club will sponsor a fundraising trip to the Tropicana Casino, Atlantic City, on Feb. 16. Cost of $38 includes bus transportation, sandwich and beverage on the bus, $25 in slot play from the casino and gratuity for the driver. Bus will leave from Brookwood Plaza at noon and return to Jackson at 9 p.m. Proceeds will benefit Rotary Club charities. Space is limited. Details: Tom Barchie, 732-207-4029 or 732-849-6309.
• The Jackson Library will present the following events in January:
• “Wellness Initiative for Senior Education,” 11:30 a.m. Jan. 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.
• “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.
• “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 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. 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.