A special celebration of the role played by New Jersey’s men and women during World War II will be held at 2 p.m. Nov. 16 at the Monmouth County Library Headquarters, 125 Symmes Drive, Manalapan. Learn about the war effort at Camp Evans, Wall Township, where the military tested new weapons, and the women who worked there during the war. The afternoon will close with a special tribute to Frank Sinatra and the music of the World War II era. Fred Carl, founder and COO of the Information Age Learning Center (InfoAge) at Camp Evans will speak about the history of radar.
St. Peter’s Church, Throckmorton Street, Freehold, will host its annual holiday bazaar from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 22. The bazaar will feature Christmas gifts, 31 Bags, handcrafted jewelry and Historic Freehold Borough afghans. There will be a 50/50 raffle. All are welcome to attend. Details: www.stpetersfreehold.org.
High school will stage ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’
Every time a bell rings on Nov. 21-22, an angel will get its wings, courtesy of the Colts Neck High School Drama Club’s production of “It’s a Wonderful Life.”
The play is about George Bailey (Vlad Goldfarb), who learns the impact his life has had on others from the quirky, yet endearing angel Clarence Odbody (Alec Gousset).
Clarence shows George all the lives he has touched and how different Bedford Falls would be had he never been born.
Show times at Colts Neck High School are 7 p.m. Nov. 21, and 1 and 7 p.m. Nov. 22. Tickets are $10 for adults or $8 for seniors and children and may be purchased at the door.
The Morganville Independent Fire Company is hosting a spaghetti and meatball dinner from 4:30-8 p.m. Nov. 15 at the firehouse, 393 Route 79, Morganville. Tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for children 10 and under. Dinner is free for children under 5. Dinner includes spaghetti, meatballs, salad, bread, beverages, coffee and dessert. All are welcome to attend.
The Freehold Memorial Day Parade Committee will sponsor a fundraiser dinner at The Cabin, Route 33, Howell, from 5-10 p.m. Nov. 18. Mention the parade or present the fundraiser flier to the hostess and the parade committee will receive 20 percent of the pre-tax, pre-liquor bill. Download the flier at freeholdmemorialdayparade.com.
The Oasis Players will perform at the Jewish Heritage Museum of Monmouth County at 2 p.m. Nov. 30 at 310 Mount’s Corner Drive Freehold Township. “A Musical Parade” celebrates composers Irving Berlin, George Gershwin, Jerome Kern and Richard Rodgers. Tickets are $18 for museum members and $20 for nonmembers. Bring a nonperishable food item for the local food bank and receive a $3 discount on admission price. To make a nonrefundable reservation, call 732-252-6990.
Turning Point hosts weekend fundraiser
The Turning Point restaurants will host a fundraiser, “Eat, Drink and Be Caring … Serving the Mission of LADACIN Network,” on Nov. 15-16 at its locations in Manalapan, Long Branch, Little Silver, Holmdel, Brick Township, Marlton and Sea Girt.
Proceeds will benefit the LADACIN Network, which provides educational, therapeutic, social, residential and support services for infants, children and adults with complex physical and developmental disabilities or delays.
Restaurant staff members raise awareness and rally support for LADACIN by promoting the fundraiser to patrons. In return for a donation of $20 or more to LADACIN, the Turning Point offers guests gift cards for free entrees on a future visit.
Local fire department seeking volunteers
Manalapan Fire Company No. 1 (Millhurst) is looking for volunteers. According to a press release, potential members of the fire company do not have to be residents of Manalapan, but they must live within a fiveto 10-minute drive of the firehouse, which is at 5 Sweetmans Lane.
New members will receive many benefits and free firefighter training. The training will take place at the Monmouth County Fire Academy, Howell.
Anyone who is interested in becoming a member of the fire company is asked to stop by the firehouse on Mondays between 6:30- 8 p.m. to pick up an application, or call 732- 462-1112.
All firefighters must be at least 18 years old. Individuals who are 17 years old may inquire about a planned junior firefighter program.
Manalapan school earns OceanFirst grant
Focusing on STEM education, Manalapan High School was awarded a $10,000 grant from the OceanFirst Foundation as part of the Model Classroom Grant Program.
The goal of the Model Classroom Grant Program is to support bold and innovative schools that have the vision, creativity and desire to develop model classrooms for learning.
The grant funds will be used to purchase CAD workstations that will integrate components of traditional hand drawing with a computer workstation. In addition, Manalapan will install Autodesk, a program that will allow students to work with industry standard CAD software.
They will also purchase a Smart Board to allow for interactive presentations and a 3-D printer to allow students to design innovative prototypes and fabricate them right in the classroom.
The 30th anniversary of “A Drive Through the Christmas Story,” featuring 10 life-size biblical scenes, will be presented at Sayre Woods Bible Church, 2290 Route 9 South, Old Bridge. The display features live characters and animals, holiday music and related Scripture verses, seen and heard within the convenience of a car, and will be presented on the evenings of Nov. 28-30 and Dec. 5-7, Fridays from 7:30-9:30 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays from 5-9:30 p.m. The event is free and is now also available in Spanish. Details: 732-679-5989 or 732- 679-4709.
The Howell Library, 318 Old Tavern Road, Howell, will offer dog reading therapy at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 19. Read to dogs P.J. and Styx to build reading confidence. Details: 732-938-2300.
A Thanksgiving service sponsored by the Freehold Clergy Association will be hosted by St. Peter’s Church, Throckmorton Street, Freehold, at 7 p.m. Nov. 23. There will be representatives from Freehold churches, synagogues and an Islamic center. A community choir led by St. Peter’s music director Mark Hyczko will sing. A reception will follow the service. All community members are welcome to attend.
Healing Streams Healing Room will host a Day of Healing 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Nov. 22 at the Freehold Township Senior Center, 116 Jackson Mills Road, Freehold Township. This nonprofit ministry is affiliated with the International Association of Healing Rooms. Healing Streams Healing Room provides a place for those who are sick to come. Emotional, physical and spiritual comfort and healing is sought through prayer. All are welcome. There is no charge for a prayer visit, but donations are appreciated for the continuance of the ministry in a permanent location in the future. Details: 732-863-0546.
The Freehold Branch of the American Association of University Women will present Kristina Hougland, associate curator of costumes and textiles at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, who will speak on “Revealing Garments,” a brief history of women’s underwear, at its Nov. 13 meeting. The lecture will be held in the media center of the Barkalow Middle School, 498 Stillwells Corner Road, Freehold Township, at 7:30 p.m. All are welcome to attend.
The Men’s Club of Temple Beth Ahm of Aberdeen, 550 Lloyd Road, Aberdeen, will host a night of comedy on Nov. 22. There will be a Chinese buffet dinner at 7 p.m., followed by 8:30 p.m. performance. Tickets are $27 in advance or $30 at the door. To RSVP or for more information, contact Steve Shuman at [email protected] or 732-995-4318.
The Adelphia Fire Company, Route 524, Howell, will sponsor an all-you-caneat pancake breakfast 8 a.m. to noon on Dec. 7. The cost is $8 for adults and $6 for children age 8 and under.
The Reformed Church of Freehold, 67 W. Main St., Freehold, will hold its annual Holly Berry All Seasons Boutique Nov. 14-15. The boutique will feature handmade items, collectibles, baked goods, hot homemade soups and more. The boutique will be open 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. both days. Details: 732-462-1717.
The Italian American Cultural Society of New Jersey invites residents of all communities to its one-year anniversary dinner meeting at La Cipollina, 16A W. Main St., Freehold, at 7 p.m. Nov. 13. The event will include food, wine and an Italian cultural speaker. The cost is $35 per person for members and $40 for nonmembers. Cash is preferred; no credit cards will be accepted. To reserve seating, call Mike Arato at 917-709-8008 or Anthony Grassi at 917- 743-3311.
Letters addressed to Santa and postmarked Nov. 24 through Dec. 12 will be forwarded to Santa by the Township of Howell. Send letters to Township of Howell, c/o Santa, P.O. Box 580, 4567 Highway 9 North, Howell, NJ 07731. Include a return address. Details: 732-938-4500, ext. 2106.