– Citizens’ group to meet Oct. 19, host speaker
Citizens for Informed Land Use (CILU) will host Greg Remaud, deputy director of NY/NJ Baykeeper, at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 19 at its meeting slated at the Holmdel Senior/Community Center, 4 Crawfords Corner Road, Holmdel.
Remaud will discuss Baykeeper’s recent efforts in creating the new Freneau Woods County Park in Aberdeen Township. He will also talk about opposition to the upcoming plan for commercial development at Liberty State Park.
Remaud has worked with NY/NJ Baykeeper for 20 years, where he has been involved with community groups and government agencies to create and preserve parks, natural areas and public access to the waters around the Hudson-Raritan Estuary. Some of Baykeeper’s conservation projects include land acquisitions to enlarge the Waackaack Creek Greenway running from its headwaters in Holmdel, through Hazlet and into Raritan Bay and the new Freneau Woods County Park.
CILU meetings are free and open to the public. For more information, contact Jenni Blumenthal at 732-264-8482 or visit www.holmdel-cilu.org.
– Thompson Park Day slated for Oct. 18
LINCROFT — Thompson Park Day will be celebrated with traditional autumn activities from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 18 at Thompson Park, 805 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft.
Free activities will include canoeing on Marlu Lake (weather permitting), pottery demonstrations, children’s races, pie-eating contests, entertainment and more. Some activities, such as pumpkin painting, rock climbing, wagon rides and ceramics, will require registration and/or a fee.
A scarecrow contest will be held from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Entries are $10 in advance or $12 on day of event. The Friends of the Parks will also hold their annual “Strut Your Mutt” dog-costume contest. Details for both contests are available at www.monmouthcountyparks.com.
For more information, call the Park System at 732-842-4000. For persons with hearing impairment, the TTY/TDD number is 711.
– Autumn bird walk slated at Sandy Hook
Autumn is officially here, and with it comes the annual migration of raptors and songbirds along the Atlantic Flyway. Join the Monmouth County Audubon Society for a bird walk to look for these migrants in Sandy Hook on Oct. 18.
Participants should meet 10 a.m. in the parking lot of the now-closed Visitor Center at Gateway National Recreation Area, 128 S. Hartshorne Drive, Highlands.
The peninsula of Sandy Hook attracts migrating raptors, shorebirds and songbirds due to the abundance of food and areas of suitable habitat. This makes Sandy Hook an excellent place to observe many species of migrating birds in a limited area. The bird guest list changes daily at Sandy Hook, depending on weather conditions and food supply.
“The lure of Sandy Hook isn’t just the birds. Sandy Hook is a peaceful, beautiful natural area with a variety of interesting habitats to explore. Early October is a great time of year to witness the spectacle of fall migration, not to mention the gorgeous fall colors of our native plants and trees,” said trip leader Linda Mack.
The free trip will be led by members of the Monmouth County Audubon Society and is open to both members and non-members. Advance registration is not required. Participants should bring binoculars and dress appropriately for the weather. Pets are not permitted.
The Monmouth County Audubon Society, a chapter of the National Audubon Society, is dedicated to the enjoyment and study of nature, wildlife conservation, habitat protection and education. For more information, visit www.monmouthaudubon.org.
– Plein air workshop slated at Park System
MIDDLETOWN — The Monmouth County Park System will host an Autumn Color Plein Air Workshop from 1-4 p.m. Oct. 17 and 18 at Deep Cut Gardens, 152 Red Hill Road, Middletown.
Professional artist Lizzi Schippert will lead the workshop and provide one-on-one guidance to participants, who will create an autumn landscape in the medium of their choice.
Participants can register for one or both days and bring their own supplies or rent them. The cost is $25 per person per day or $35 per person per day with supplies included. A discount is available to those who register for both days.
Pre-registration is required at www.monmouthcountyparks.com or calling 732-842-4000. For persons with a hearing impairment, the TTY/TDD number is 711.
– ‘Dining in the Dark’ to raise funds, awareness
MIDDLETOWN — Have you ever consumed dinner in total darkness? The New Jersey Blind Citizens Association (NJBCA) will hold its inaugural “Dining in the Dark” dinner at 7 p.m. Oct. 16 at the Jacques Reception Center, 500 Palmer Ave., Middletown.
The dinner is a benefit designed to raise awareness and funds for the NJBCA, which supports those who are experiencing vision loss or blindness.
Guests can experience a world of smell, taste, sound and texture without visual cues. Attendees will enter the venue, be given blindfolds and be led to a table by sighted guides. An opportunity to use devices utilized by those with vision loss will be provided before dinner. Emphasis will be placed on experiencing the meal in darkness and utilizing other senses to gain insight into the world of vision impairment. After dessert, blindfolds will be removed for dancing and fellowship, followed by the drawing of a super 50/50.
Tickets are $55 per person and include a three-course meal, beer, wine and soda. Tickets for tables of 8-10 can be purchased by sending a check to New Jersey Blind Citizens Association, 18 Burlington Ave., Leonardo, NJ 07758. Write “DID” on the check’s memo line. For tickets or more information, call 732-291-0878 or visit www.njbca.org.
– Outreach program for Belford residents slated
Middletown’s Neighborhood Spotlight will be focused on Belford this month. Outreach sessions will be held from 10 a.m.-noon Oct. 15 and 6-8 p.m. Oct. 22 at the Belford Engine Firehouse, 739 Main St., Belford.
Residents can stop by and talk with local officials, police officers and township staff about the neighborhood. Each month, the Neighborhood Spotlight program focuses on the uniqueness of Middletown’s many neighborhoods as well as the concerns and interests of people living and doing business in the area.
For more information, visit www.middletownnj.org.
– Health programs set in Keyport, Hazlet
Monmouth Medical Center is offering the following Community Heath Education Programs during October.
• “Keyport Senior Center Health Fair” will be held from 10 a.m.-noon Oct. 20 at the Keyport Senior Center, 110 Second Ave., Keyport. For adults age 60 and up, the fair will feature free screenings, health information and more. Register by calling 732-264-4916.
• “Understanding Your Options for Rehabilitation” for adults age 60 and up will be presented from 11:30 a.m.-noon Oct. 20 at the Keyport Senior Center, 110 Second Ave., Keyport. Jill Giraffe, OTR/L, HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Tinton Falls, will discuss all levels of therapy, including home therapy, in-patient acute and sub-acute rehabilitation, and out-patient rehabilitation. Learn how to make the best decision on rehabilitation for yourself or a family member. Register by calling 732-264-4916.
• “Hazlet Public Library Health Fair” will take place from 9 a.m.-noon Oct. 24 at 251 Middle Road, Hazlet. The fair will offer free health screenings, including balance, blood pressure, cholesterol, cardiac risk assessment and more. Healthcare professionals from Monmouth Medical Center will be available to answer questions. For more information or to register, call 888-724-7123.
• “Breast Cancer Awareness” will take place from 10-11:30 a.m. Oct. 24 at the Thompson Park Visitor Center, 805 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft. The Jacqueline M. Wilentz Comprehensive Breast Center will discuss the importance of mammograms, screening guidelines for early detection and other recommendations for breast cancer awareness. The cost is $18 per person. To register, call 732-842-4000, ext. 1.
For more information, contact The Community Health Education Department at Monmouth Medical Center at 732-923-6990.
– Library has children’s programs in October
The Middletown Township Public Library is offering programs for children during October at 55 New Monmouth Road. Registration is required for each program unless otherwise noted.
• “Monster Mash: Make Halloween Foods!” for children age 9 and up will be at 4 p.m. Oct. 6. Children will make and eat cool Halloween foods. Inform the librarian of any food allergy. Milk products and candy will be used.
• “Star Wars Event” for all ages will be at 2 p.m. Oct. 10. Members of the Northeast Remnant 501st Legion will be on hand in Star Wars costumes at this fun library event centered around Star Wars Reads Day. Enjoy crafts, activities and photograph opportunities with intergalactic visitors. All are welcome and encouraged to come dressed in a favorite Star Wars costume.
• “Poetry ‘Through the Ears … and Feet!’” for tweens and teens will be at 3 p.m. Oct. 14. The program introduces young participants to poetry as a tradition of dancing and marching as well as speaking and singing.
• “Choo Choo’s Magic Train Show” for children age 4-9 will be at 2 p.m. Oct. 18. A train conductor will take the audience on an imaginary train ride to different continents with magic performed at each destination.
• “Pete the Cat — Five Little Pumpkins” for all ages will be at 4 p.m. Oct. 22. Calling all cool cats to join in a musical story time.
• “Halloween Family Movie Night” for all ages will be at 6:45 p.m. Oct. 27. Bring a pillow and blanket or cozy up in the library’s chairs. Pre-registration is not required.
• “Halloween Parade” for all ages will be at 10:30 a.m. Oct. 30. Enjoy Halloween activities, trick-or-treating and a parade at the library.
For more information, call 732-671-3700, ext. 340 or register at www.mtpl.org.