• The Millstone Township Memorial Day parade, “Freedom Is Not Free,” presented by the Millstone Township Veterans Memorial Council, will take place on May 30. The parade will begin at 9:15 a.m. at Millstone Park, 4 Red Valley Rd. Ceremonies will take place rain or shine. All residents and veterans are welcome to attend. If anyone is interested in participating in the parade or would like more information, contact Mike
Cunningham at 732-850-1332 or email at [email protected]
• The Millstone Township Open Space and Farmland Preservation Council and the Agricultural Advisory Council will host their annual clambake fundraiser on May 22 at Wagner Farm Park. Eat in or take out food. Adults, $50, choice of four items; Child, $15, choice of two items (excludes lobster). Tickets must be purchased by May 19. To purchase tickets, contact Andrew DeFelice at Open Space, 470 Stagecoach Road, Millstone Township, NJ 08510; call 732-446-4249, ext. 1601; or email a-defelice@millstonenj.gov. Make checks payable to Millstone Township Open Space Trust.
• The Monmouth County Park System will host a Spring Craft Show on April 9 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Fort Monmouth Recreation Center, Tinton Falls. Browse local artists and crafters. Admission and parking are free. Details: 732-842-4000.
• The Monmouth County Park System will host a Traditional Basket Making Demonstration on April 9 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel. Join artisan Mary May for a look at the craftsmanship that goes into making a basket. Free. Details: 732-842-4000.
• The Monmouth County Park System will host Vintage Base Ball – Monmouth Furnace Base Ball Club on April 10 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Holmdel Park, Holmdel. See how baseball was played using rules from the 19th century. Free. Details: 732-842-4000.
• The Monmouth County Park System will host Climb Time on April 24 from noon to 3 p.m. at the Clayton Park Activity Center, Upper Freehold Township. Try the park system’s 25-foot-tall portable climbing wall. Individuals must be 42 inches or taller to climb. Open to ages 8 and up; under 18 with adult. Free. Details: 732-842-4000.
• The 2022 Made in Monmouth event will be held on April 30 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Robert J. Collins Arena at Brookdale Community College, Lincroft. The event is free to vendors and residents. Made in Monmouth will showcase locally made products, such as baked goods, jewelry, wine, home décor and more. Interested producers and manufacturers may apply for the wait list by contacting the Division of Economic Development by emailing [email protected] or call 732-431-7470 for more information.
• Millstone Township will conduct a stream cleanup event from 9 a.m. to noon April 9. Community members of all ages are invited to participate. Meet at the municipal court building, 215 Millstone Road. Pre-registration is required at thewatershed.org/stream-cleanups. The event is held rain or shine. Bring a reusable water bottle and gloves. A mask is optional. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
• Join United Way of Monmouth and Ocean Counties and DowntownFreehold.com for the United for Impact Food Truck Festival from noon to 6 p.m. April 24 along West Main Street, Freehold Borough. There will be food trucks, beer, live music, games and more in support of the United Way’s mission. Sponsorship opportunities and vendor tables are available. Register at uwmoc.org/food-truck-festival
• The Freehold Elks Motorcycle Committee will present the New Jersey State Elks Army of Hope Poker Run 2022, in memory of Chris Malvone and other fallen and severely wounded veterans, on April 30, rain or shine. All are welcome to register from 9-11 a.m. at Freehold Elks Lodge No. 1454, 73 E. Main St., Freehold Borough. The Poker Run starts and ends at the lodge. The cost is $20 per rider and $15 per passenger, and includes the poker run, a party at 1 p.m. food, beverages and DJ. Admission to the party only is $15. Details: Christine Reese, 347-739-6254, or Joe Pindilli, 908-635-4788.
• The Rutgers Master Gardeners will hold their Spring Garden Day Plant Sale on May 13-14 at the Cooperative Extension of Monmouth County, New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, through Rutgers University, 4000 Kozloski Road, Freehold Township. Great plants and free garden talks by Rutgers Master Gardeners will be available both days.
Details: Visit https://monmouth.njaes.rutgers.edu/master-gardeners/
• Monmouth County officials have scheduled paper shredding events so residents have the opportunity to dispose of old documents and confidential files safely. All shredding events will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the following locations: June 4, Upper Freehold municipal building, 314 Route 539; and Oct. 8, Freehold Township municipal building, 1 Municipal Plaza. County residents may shred up to 100 pounds. Large binder clips must be removed from documents; staples and paper clips can remain. Information about the paper shredding events and recycling can be found in the recycling section of the county’s website, www.visitmonmouth.com, or call 732-683-8686, ext. 8967.
• The Monmouth County Library offers six classes available at any time and without any advance registration on virtual Yoga, highlighting breathing, movement, stretching and other activities. Each program is offered at https://ly/MonCoLibraryYoga. The programs are offered by Steven Russell of Becoming Sound. Interested individuals may choose their own path with movements from six of the most popular library video class series. Sessions are Yoga Breathing; Yoga Stretching; Yoga Movement; Yoga Stretching with Support; Yoga at Home on the Floor; and Yoga at Home Standing. Individuals should consult a physician before starting any exercise program.
• New Jersey Blood Services, a division of New York Blood Center, is looking for volunteers who will assist donors at area blood drives. No medical background necessary. Volunteers should be outgoing to provide friendly customer service, be able to perform tasks as needed and must provide proof of COVID vaccination prior to volunteering. Must have transportation. All training is provided, including precautions for the safety of the staff and blood donors. For additional information, call or text Sharon Zetts at 732-850-8906, Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. To apply online as a blood drive volunteer, go to https://www.nybc.org/support-us/volunteer-nybc/volunteer-application/
• The Allentown Village Initiative (TAVI) invites area residents to join a special effort to patronize local businesses. Register at www.allentownvinj.org to receive a weekly email highlighting Allentown’s shops and restaurants. The email will showcase unique products, services and specials offered by entrepreneurs throughout Allentown and Upper Freehold Township. There is no charge to participate. To register and for more information, visit www.allentownvinj.org
• CentraState Medical Center has launched a new online grief support group led by licensed clinical social workers certified in grief counseling to assist individuals who have experienced the loss of a loved one. The group is open for adult members of the community who have experienced the loss of a loved one. The private groups provide a safe, non-judgmental space for participants to share their emotions and struggles. The group meets via Zoom on the first and third Thursdays of each month at 3 p.m. To register, call 732-303-5170 or email [email protected] or [email protected]
• Samaritan Center operates a food pantry to provide supplementary food for those in need in Manalapan, Marlboro, Morganville, Englishtown and Millstone Township. For information, call 732-446-1142 and make an appointment. Donations of funds and food are gratefully accepted to support the operation of the center.
• Embroiderers’ Guild of America – Monmouth Chapter is dedicated to teaching and sharing the joys of needlework. The organization welcomes stitchers of all levels. Evening stitchers will meet via Zoom on the first Monday of each month at 7 p.m. Day stitchers will meet via Zoom on the third Thursday of each month at 10 a.m. Details: Toni, 732-462-5540, or visit website:www.mcega.org
Items for the Datebook may be sent to [email protected]. Please submit items at least two weeks prior to a scheduled event.