• New Jersey Blood Services, a division of New York Blood Center, will conduct the following drives: July 3, St. William the Abbot, 2740 Lakewood-Allenwood Road, Howell, 8:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.; July 5, Howell Donor Center, 4068 Route 9 South, Howell, 1:30-8:30 p.m.; July 6, Howell Donor Center, 7:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.; July 7, Howell Donor Center, 1:30-8:30 p.m.; July 12, Howell Donor Center, 1:30-8:30 p.m.; July 13, Howell Donor Center, 7:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.; July 14, Howell Donor Center, 1:30-8:30 p.m.; July 19, Howell Donor Center, 1:30-8:30 p.m.; July 20, Howell Donor Center, 7:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.; July 21, Howell Donor Center, 1:30-8:30 p.m.; July 26, Howell Donor Center, 1:30-8:30 p.m.; July 27, Howell Donor Center, 7:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.; and July 28, Howell Donor Center, 1:30-8:30 p.m. To donate blood, call 1-800-933-2566 or visit www.nybloodcenter.org
• Green Leaf Pet Resort, Millstone Township, is partnering with big names in the pet care industry to raise money for the CentraState Healthcare Foundation. On June 25 from noon to 6 p.m., Green Leaf Pet Resort will host animal-loving attendees at its Canine Carnival – Paws for a Cause. Proceeds will be donated to the CentraState Healthcare Foundation. Admission is free and all furry, fuzzy and feathered friends are encouraged to attend. There will be carnival games, doggie dock-diving, lure courses, a New Jersey State Police K-9 demonstration, food trucks and more. Details: www.greenleafcaninecarnival.com
• The Monmouth County Park System will hold a Naturalist Walk at the Winter Run Activity Center, June 19 at 10 a.m. at the Manasquan River Greenway, Howell, meet at the Winter Run Activity Center. Join a park system naturalist for a walk at the new Winter Run Activity Center property, part of the Manasquan River Greenway and adjacent to the Manasquan Reservoir. Walks are approximately 45 minutes and a mile in length. Sturdy shoes and bug spray are highly recommended. Free event. Details: 732-842-4000.
• The Monmouth County Park System will present a Cookstove Demonstration on June 18 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel. See what’s cooking on the woodstove and discover how recipes, cooking techniques and kitchens have changed since the 1890s. Free event. Details: 732-842-4000.
• The Monmouth County Park System will present the Casual Birder on June 28 at 9 a.m. at the Manasquan Reservoir, Howell, meet in the Environmental Center parking lot.
Join a park system naturalist for a laid-back morning bird walk. Free event. Details: 732-842-4000.
• The Monmouth County Park System will present a Freshwater Fishing Derby on June 18 from 2-5 p.m. at the Manasquan Reservoir, Howell, and June 19 from 2-5 p.m. at Turkey Swamp Park, Freehold Township. Prizes will be awarded for the longest fish in three categories. Fishing pole rentals available on a first come, first served basis. Rental cost is $5 per pole. A container of worms is included with each registration. The cost is $25 per family of four; $8 per person. Walk-ins are welcome; cash or check only on site. Details: 732-842-4000.
• The Monmouth County Park System will present Performance in the Park – A Midsummer’s Night Sonnetry: Fourteen Sonnets by William Shakespeare on June 26 from 4-6 p.m. at the Thompson Park Theater Barn, Lincroft. Listen to performance readers explore and recite 14 of Shakespeare’s most poignant sonnets. Free event. Details: 732-842-4000.
• DeBows United Methodist Church, corner of Route 571 and Route 537, Jackson, will host a flea market on June 25 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Table space (no table) for vendors is $10. Contact Sue at 732-598-7352 to reserve a space or for more information. Additional information can be found at www.debowsumc.org
• A special program of early African-American jazz will be performed by the Florian Schantz Jazz Combo at 2 p.m. June 18 at the Ocean County Library Jackson Branch, 2 Jackson Drive. The program will feature selections that span nearly 50 years of popular music, from the late 19th century through the early Swing Era of the 1930s and 1940s. Schantz, 19, is a trumpeter and a 10-year show business veteran. The event is free and is suitable for all ages. Registration at www.theoceancountylibrary.org/events is required to attend the performance. Details: 732-928-4400.
• The Monmouth County Fair will be held from July 27-31 at the East Freehold Showgrounds, Freehold Township. Hours are 4-11 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. General admission is $8 per adult; children 17 and under are admitted free. Follow the Monmouth County Park System on social media. Upcoming fair contests will be announced on the park system’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages, offering an opportunity to win admission tickets and more. The fair is organized and presented by the Monmouth County Park System in cooperation with the Monmouth County 4-H Association. Details: www.MonmouthCountyFair.com
• 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.
• 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. Hours are Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Sunday, 1-4 p.m.
• The DowntownFreehold.com Thursdays Rock concert series takes place each Thursday from 7:30-9:30 p.m. at the Monmouth County Hall of Records plaza, Main Street, Freehold Borough. The concerts are free; bring a lawn chair. The schedule is as follows: June 16, Funky Uncle All-Stars; June 23, The Weeklings; June 30, Eddie Testa Band; July 7, Mission Dance; July 14, Joe Baracata Band; July 21, Matt O’Ree Band; July 28, Chuck Lambert Band with Coo Moe Jhee; Aug. 4, Parrot Beach; Aug. 11, Colossal Street Jam; Aug. 18, Pat Guadagno and Friends; Aug. 25, Turnstyles.
• The Freehold Borough Arts Council 2022 Jazz, Blues and More Summer Concert Series will take place every Sunday through August (June 5 through Aug. 28) from 7-9 p.m. at the Downtown Freehold Gazebo, Main Street, Freehold Borough. The concerts are free; bring a lawn chair.
• 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 16, Howell Donor Center, 4068 Route 9 South, Howell, 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
Items for the Datebook may be sent to [email protected]. Please submit items at least two weeks prior to a scheduled event.