The Manalapan Police Department has reported the following incidents which recently occurred in the community:
On Sept. 1 at 1:22 a.m., a Manalapan resident reported that an unknown individual entered an unlocked vehicle that was parked in the driveway of a Warwick Drive home and removed items valued at $5. Patrolman Dennis O’Brien handled the report.
On Sept. 1, a Manalapan resident reported wiring $60,000 to a contractor who failed to perform the agreed upon work at a Jeanine Court residence. Patrolman Christopher Schou handled the report.
On Sept. 2, a Manalapan resident reported that an unknown individual had stolen a bicycle
valued at $589 sometime between 6:15-8 p.m. The bicycle was left unlocked in front of a business at 300 Gordons Corner Road. Patrolman Christopher Capuzzo and Patrolman Matthew Meyler handled the report.
On Sept. 6, a Manalapan resident reported that an unknown individual opened a credit line in the victim’s name and made purchases totaling $8,114. Patrolman Matthew Porricelli handled the report.
On Sept. 6, a Manalapan resident reported that unknown individuals stole a check from the mailbox of a business on Route 33. The check, which was valued at $20,553, was subsequently cashed. It is unknown when the check was stolen. Patrolman Hunter Mauro handled the report.
Exciting performances and engaging activities await area children from 1-4 p.m. on Oct. 8. That is when the World Diversity Day Children’s Festival comes to Lake Topanemus Park, Pond Road, Freehold Township.
The family friendly outdoor event will celebrate diverse cultures and encourage acceptance of others with stories, sing-alongs, dancing, crafts, choirs, book giveaways and more, according to a press release.
The festival – which is free and open to the public – will have live entertainment and hands-on activities ideal for children between the ages of 5 and 10.
“Grade school children and their families will experience diverse ethnicities, abilities and identities in a fun-filled outdoor atmosphere,” said Rick Aaronson of Manalapan, who brought together volunteers from community, faith-based, cultural and social justice organizations to plan the day.
Originally scheduled for the spring of 2022, the event had to be postponed when multiple organizers and volunteers came down with COVID. All are well now and excited about a lineup that includes authors reading from their books, a Nigerian Village display, basketball drill demonstrations by We Are the Future, and a Ukrainian Children’s chorus, to name a few.
To find out more about the World Diversity Day Children’s Festival, including the groups and individuals planning to perform and participate, contact Rick Aaronson at 732-740-3806 or [email protected].
The Facebook event page is at https://www.facebook.com/events/772758547327528/
Center Players and Oakley Farm Museum will present “Historic Schoolhouse Storytime” from 1-2 p.m. and from 3-4 p.m. Sept. 25 in the historic one-room West Freehold Schoolhouse at 209 Wemrock Road (corner of Wemrock Road and Route 537), Freehold Township. There is parking behind the schoolhouse and the event is free.
The event is being presented by the Oakley Farm Museum and Center Players of
Freehold.
Children from ages 5 to 10 and their loving adults are invited to enjoy a dramatic, costumed experience and peek into the past when cell phones, TV and other technology of today were only a dream and the imagination was one’s passport into fantasy, according to a press release.
For more information, call Center Players at 732-462-9093.
The Freehold Borough Pitch Event will take place on Sept. 29 from 6-9 p.m. at the Court Street School Education Community Center, 140 Court St., Freehold Borough.
This event, similar to “Shark Tank,” focuses on the pitch to help launch and grow local businesses and is a way to get valuable advice and mentoring, according to a press release.
The public is invited to share the excitement as the most promising companies will be invited to pitch before a panel of investors and lenders to compete for cash and services essential to small business owners. No experience is necessary, but registration is required.
This community event kicks off the Freehold Borough Innovative Accelerator Program, where local entrepreneurs and startup businesses are invited to pitch their business ideas to an audience and panel of judges.
The top 10 finalists from the Freehold Borough Pitch Event will be accepted into an accelerator cohort.
Interested participants can start by submitting a brief summary of their business idea, or just come to check out innovative ideas. There is no fee for the pitch event. Participants must be Freehold town residents and may present in Spanish or English.
The Freehold Borough Pitch Event is dedicated to giving entrepreneurs from minority groups or diverse backgrounds the opportunity to get sponsorship and opportunity. Applicants from these underrepresented communities will be prioritized, according to the press release.
Contact Dr. Jackeline Mejias-Fuertes at 732-842-8685 or email [email protected] for additional information.