• The Cream Ridge Cemetery Association will hold its annual meeting at 6:30 p.m. May 23 at the New Egypt Firehouse, 59 Main St., New Egypt. All lot owners are invited to attend. Details: 609-758-8663.
• The Monmouth County Retired Educators Association will meet on June 14 at the Spring Lake Manor, Spring Lake. The meeting will begin at 11 a.m. Attendees may arrive early to enjoy the association’s 60th Jubilee celebration starting 10:30 a.m. A new slate of officers will be installed and the annual MCREA Philanthropic Awards will be presented to this year’s winners. Members are encouraged to bring non-perishable donations for the local food bank. For reservations, contact [email protected] or call 732-995-7754. Reservations must be completed before June 3. New members are always welcome.
• Bat Shalom Hadassah of Jackson will hold a 20th anniversary celebration on June 15 from noon to 4 p.m. at the Lakewood Country Club. The cost is $40 for a full buffet luncheon plus singer, auction, prizes and games. All are welcome. Details: Ina Goldberg, 732-833-2537.
• Allentown in western Monmouth County was a stop on the Underground Railroad and local historian John Fabiano will tell the story during a free 90-minute walking tour sponsored by The Allentown Village Initiative on June 18 beginning at 10 a.m. in Pete Sensi Park, Main Street, Allentown. “They Came for Freedom” will lead participants past historic homes, shops, cemeteries and landmarks which played a part in helping escaped slaves from the south reach freedom in the north. Register in advance for a timed tour start at www.allentownvinj.org. Registrants will be assigned timed starts in 30-minute intervals beginning at 10 a.m. June 18.
• New Jersey Blood Services, a division of New York Blood Center, will conduct blood drives which are open to the public. The following drives are scheduled: June 1, Howell Donor Center, 4068 Route 9 South, Howell, 7:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.; June 2, Howell Donor Center, 1:30-8:30 p.m.; June 7, Howell Donor Center, 1:30-8:30 p.m.; June 8, Howell Donor Center, 7:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.; June 9, Howell Donor Center, 1:30-8:30 p.m.; June 14, Howell Donor Center, 1:30-8:30 p.m.; June 15, Howell Donor Center, 7:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.; June 16, Howell Donor Center, 1:30-8:30 p.m.; June 21, Howell Donor Center, 1:30-8:30 p.m.; June 22, Howell Donor Center, 7:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.; June 23, Howell Donor Center, 1:30-8:30 p.m.; June 28, Howell Donor Center, 1:30-8:30 p.m.; June 29, Howell Donor Center, 7:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.; and June 30, Howell Donor Center, 1:30-8:30 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 Monmouth County Park System will host the Casual Birder on May 24 at 9 a.m. at the Manasquan Reservoir, Howell, meet in the Visitor Center parking lot. Join a park system naturalist for a morning bird walk. Free. Details: 732-842-4000.
• The Monmouth County Park System will host a Cookstove Demonstration on May 21 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Historic Longstreet Farm, Longstreet Road, Holmdel. See what’s cooking on the woodstove and discover how recipes, cooking techniques and kitchens have changed since the 1890s. Free. Details: 732-842-4000.
• The Monmouth County Park System will host Climb Time on May 22 from noon 3 p.m. at Turkey Swamp Park, Freehold Township. Try the park system’s 25-foot-tall portable climbing wall. Individuals must be 42 inches tall or taller to climb. Open to ages 8 and up; under 18 with adult. Free. Details: 732-842-4000.
• The Monmouth County Park System will host Accordion Melodies of the 1890s on May 21 from 1-3 p.m. at Historic Longstreet Farm, Longstreet Road, Holmdel. Free. Details: 732-842-4000.
• The Monmouth County Park System will host Nature on the Move on May 21 at 3 p.m. at the Manasquan Reservoir, Howell, meet in the Visitor Center parking lot. Look for the park system’s colorful Nature on the Move van and join a park system naturalist for a 45- to 60-minute hands-on interactive program. Free. Details: 732-842-4000.
• The Monmouth County Park System will host a Decoration Day celebration on May 30 from noon to 3 p.m. at Historic Longstreet Farm, Longstreet Road, Holmdel. Enjoy the company of family and friends as the park system honors this early American holiday. Free. Details: 732-842-4000.
• The Monmouth County Park System will present the musical “Camelot,” produced by Mickey and Judy Productions, in the Thompson Park Theater Barn, Lincroft. Performances are 7 p.m. May 20 and 21. The show is open to ages 12 and up, under 18 with adult. The cost is $15 per person; $10 for persons 55 and up and children age 12-17. Tickets sold at the door as space permits; however, pre-registration is recommended. To register, visit www.MonmouthCountyParks.com or call 732-842-4000.
• New Jersey Blood Services, a division of New York Blood Center, will conduct blood drives which are open to the public. The following blood drives are scheduled: May 19, Howell Donor Center, 4068 Route 9 South, Howell, 1:30-8:30 p.m.; May 24, Howell Donor Center, 1:30-8:30 p.m.; May 25, Howell Donor Center, 7:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.; and May 26, Howell Donor Center, 1:30-8:30 p.m. To donate blood or for information on how to organize a blood drive, call 1-800-933-2566 or visit www.nybloodcenter.org
• The Historic Wainright House Museum and Craft Center, 48 Main St., Farmingdale, will host its second annual photography show from June 4-25. The show is hosted by Virginia Woolley, owner of the Wainright House, and coordinated by Vicky Culver. Email Vicky Culver at [email protected] as soon as possible if you would like to submit one or two photographs (maximum framed size approximately 11 x 14 inches). Starting May 1, hours are Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Sunday, 1-4 p.m.
• Monmouth County officials have scheduled a paper shredding event so residents have the opportunity to dispose of old documents and confidential files safely. A shredding event will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 18 in Howell at the Memorial/Adelphia School, 485 Adelphia Road (Route 524). County residents may shred up to 100 pounds. Large binder clips must be removed from documents; staples and paper clips can remain. Details: See the recycling section of the county’s website, www.visitmonmouth.com, or call 732-683-8686, ext. 8967.
Items for the Datebook may be sent to [email protected]. Please submit items at least two weeks prior to a scheduled event.