• Freehold Elks Lodge 1454, 73 E. Main St., Freehold, will host its monthly breakfast from 9 a.m. to noon Nov. 19. All are welcome to attend. Made to order breakfast, all you can eat. Adults, $9; children under 12, $5. Proceeds benefit local charities and organizations. Details: 732-431-8707.
• Breakfast with Santa will take place from 9 a.m. to noon Dec. 2 at Freehold Township Fire Department 16-1, 30 Siloam Road, Freehold Township. There will be a pancake breakfast, pictures with Santa and children’s activities. Each child will receive a gift. Reservations required by Nov. 24. The cost is $10 for adults and $6 for children ages 2-10. Details: Denise, 732-829-9014.
• Shira Kline, aka ShirLaLa, will perform at 11 a.m. Dec. 3 at Solomon Schechter Day School, Marlboro. Admission is free and open to the community. The one-hour interactive child friendly performance will feature ShirLaLa with Solomon Schechter Music Director Mr. Sam. Pre-registration for the performance is required. Details: Linda Glickstein, 732-431-5525.
• A night of caroling will be held at the Old Tennent Presbyterian Church, 448 Tennent Road, Manalapan, from 7-8 p.m. Dec. 15. All are welcome to attend. Details: 732-446-6299 or [email protected] or www.oldtennent.org
• A meeting of the Monmouth County Retired Educators Association will be held on Dec. 12 at Shadowbrook, 1 Obre Place, Shrewsbury, at 11 a.m. Members are asked to bring a nonperishable donation for the food bank and an unwrapped book, toy or gift card for Bridges At The Shore. New members are welcome. For luncheon reservations, call Sue at 732-995-7754 before Dec. 1.
• An all new Candy Cane Lane Breakfast with Mr. and Mrs. Claus, and Santa’s workshop themed Christmas gift bazaar will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 3 at St. Rose of Lima School, 51 Lincoln Place, Freehold. Breakfast will be served until 11 a.m. Breakfast is $8 per child and $10 per adult at the door. All are welcome to attend. There will also be a balloon artist, face painting, fun crafts and a raffle table with some of the hottest toys of the season.
• The Noontime Optimist Club of Freehold is beginning its 29th year of community service to the area, with the focus on youth (scholarships, spelling bees, essay contests, fishing derbies, holiday gifts, helping out at the local soup kitchen and supporting Camp Quality, a camp for children with cancer). New members are invited to join the club. Details: 732-431-3989 or email [email protected]
• The B’nai B’rith Ketubah Unit (50-plus) will host a Hanukkah party at Fred & Murry’s Kosher Deli, Freehold Township, from 1-5 p.m. Dec. 10. There will be a full kosher deli buffet luncheon, entertainment and tricky tray. The cost is $32 per person (includes tax and tip). Prospective couples and singles are welcome to attend. No walk-ins. RSVP to Elaine at 908-232-0062 no later than Dec. 1.
• The Ms. New Jersey Senior America Pageant 2018 is seeking contestants age 60 and over. Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City will host the pageant on June 6. There are four judging categories: Evening Gown; Philosophy of Life; Talent; and Judges Interview. The winner will participate in the Ms. Senior America Pageant 2018. Individuals interested in becoming a contestant may contact Terry Meade at 609-443-3039, 908-216-8534 or via email at [email protected]
• The Marlboro K-8 School District Board of Education has rescheduled a regular meeting from 7 p.m. Nov. 21 to 7 p.m. Nov. 28 at the district’s administration building, 1980 Township Drive. The meeting is open to the public.
• The Elks National Foundation is offering scholarships to high school seniors who are U.S. citizens. Applicants do not need to be related to a member of the Elks. Males and females compete separately and are judged on scholarship, leadership and financial need. The application is completed online and must be submitted by Nov. 27. Applications and details available at elks.org/scholars
• Residents interested in careers in the culinary arts, event planning, travel, tourism and other hospitality fields are invited to free information sessions hosted by Brookdale Community College. A culinary and pastry arts information session will be held at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 15 at the Culinary Education Center, 101 Drury Lane, Asbury Park. To RVSP, call Elizabeth Lehmann at 732-774-3782. A hospitality management information session will be held at 6 p.m. Nov. 30 in Larrison Hall, 765 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft. To RVSP, call Linda Morris at 732-224-2258.
• St. Thomas More Parish, 186 Gordons Corner Road, Manalapan, is offering a women’s bible study this fall. Registration in ongoing. The program aims to bring women to a closer relationship with Christ. Details: Email Christine Melilli at [email protected] or call 732-778-4933.
• Monmouth County college-bound art students are invited to apply for the 2018 Elaine Smith Memorial Art Scholarship. To apply, search online for Elaine Smith Memorial Art Scholarship and download the application. The application deadline is Jan. 31. Details: Merrill Tilker, Around the Corner Art Center, 732-308-4666.
• Embroiderers’ Guild of America-Monmouth Chapter welcomes stitchers of all levels at its meetings. There are sit and stitch tables and special projects. Day stitchers will meet from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 16 at the Colts Neck Library, 1 Winthrop Drive. Details: Toni, 732-462-5540, or www.mcega.org
• The Center for Jewish Life, 176 Route 79 North, Marlboro, will host a Hanukkah carnival from noon to 2:30 p.m. Dec. 10. Admission: $18 per child, ages 2-12, (complimentary to partner families), includes all games and pizza lunch. RSVP at www.cjlnj.com or 732-316-7600.
• The Center for Jewish Life JTeen Club will host an event for teens ages 13-17 at iPlay America, Freehold Township, from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Dec. 7. Admission: $25, includes unlimited pizza, rides, arcades, video games, laser tag, go-karts, 4D theater and a $5 game card. RSVP by Nov. 23 at www.cjlnj.com or 732-316-7600.
• The Center for Jewish Life Women’s Circle will host a wine and sushi event at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6 at 176 Route 79 North, Marlboro. Cover is $40 (complimentary to partners). RSVP to www.cjlnj.com or 732-316-7600.
• The Jewish Heritage Museum of Monmouth County, Freehold Township, will present Notes N’ Nosh at 1 p.m. Dec. 6. Learn how to make note cards using individual artistic expression. Desserts will be served. Tickets: $25 per person (includes supplies). To make a reservation, call 732-252-6990 or visit www.jhmomc.org
• The Monmouth County Audubon Society will host a bird walk on Sandy Hook in northern Monmouth County on Dec. 9. Meet at 10 a.m. in the parking lot by the old visitors center, 1.8 miles north of the park entrance. Open to members and non-members of the society. Participation is free. Dress for the weather (can be cool and blustery). Details: http://www.monmouthaudubon.org
• The Manalapan Seniors will host a “Senior Celebration” from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Dec. 13 at the Battleground Country Club, Manalapan. The cost is $40 per person and includes lunch and entertainment by the Uptown Getdowns. All seniors are invited. Details: 732-446-8401.
• The Jewish Heritage Museum of Monmouth County, Freehold Township, presents Irving Berlin: A Talk by Marty Schneit at 2 p.m. Nov. 19. Tickets are $8 for museum members and $10 for non-members. Schneit is a New York City tour guide and historian. He will shed light on the life and career of one of the symbols American popular music. To make a paid reservation, call 732-252-6990.
• Monmouth County has a backyard composting session scheduled at Deep Cut Gardens, Middletown, on Nov. 18. The free 45-minute sessions begin at 10 a.m. and will explain the how to’s of reducing yard and household waste and improving soil. Advance registration is required. To reserve a seat, call 732-683-8686, ext. 6721.
• Disabled American Veterans Chapter 74, Freehold, will meet at 7 p.m. Nov. 28 at the American Legion, 62 W. Main St. Freehold. Chapter members, DAV members-at-large who are seeking a chapter and veterans with disabilities who are seeking assistance and advice are welcome to attend the meeting. Dinner of pizza and subs is provided.
• The Deep Cut Orchid Society meets at 7:30 p.m. on the second Tuesday of every month (Dec. 12) at the Monmouth Reform Temple, 332 Hance Ave., Tinton Falls. There is a speaker, refreshments and a discussion of plants on the show table. There is no cost to attend and everyone is welcome.
• Old Tennent Presbyterian Church, 448 Tennent Road, Manalapan, will host “Journey to Bethlehem,” a free Christmas drive-through, on its grounds from 6-8:30 p.m. Dec. 2-3. Live scenes will begin with Isaiah telling of Jesus’ birth and ending with the Nativity scene. To sponsor or participate, call 732-446-6299.
• Single Active Seniors (SAS) is a discussion and activity group for men and women over 55. SAS meets every Sunday at 12:30 p.m. in the Colts Neck Reformed Church, Route 537 West, Colts Neck (in the white building to the right of the church). Social activities are introduced and group participation is encouraged. There are no fees and all are welcome to attend. Details: Email [email protected], subject line, SAS.
• The Old Bridge Toastmasters Club meets on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month from 7:15-9 p.m. at the Sayre Woods Bible Church, 2290 Route 9 South, Old Bridge. The club seeks to help individuals become better speakers and better leaders. There is no cost to attend a meeting and residents of all towns are welcome to attend. Details: 908-906-4926 or http://oldbridge.toastmastersclubs.org/
• A free yoga class is offered every Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the Morganville United Methodist Church, 215 Conover Road, Marlboro. All are welcome. Bring a mat or a large towel. Details: 732-946-4247 or 732-536-2031.
• New Jersey Blood Services is in need of volunteers to work blood drives in Ocean and Monmouth counties. Tasks include assisting donors with registration, watching donors for post-donation reactions and responding to their needs. Details: Jan Zepka, 732-616-8741.
• The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance will meet in the spiritual center of St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, 1 Phalanx Road, Colts Neck, from 7:30-9 p.m. every Thursday. Details: 732-536-5826 or 732-320-0029.
Items for the Datebook may be sent to [email protected]. Please send items at least two weeks prior to a scheduled event.