• The Monmouth Ski Club will meet at 8 p.m. Dec. 6 at the Wild Rover, 153 Shrewsbury Ave., Red Bank. New members are welcome. Details:
www.monmouthskiclub.com
• Companion Animal Rescue and Education (CARE) will hold a puppy adoption event at Petco, 4345 Route 9 North, Freehold Township, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 2. For updates and to see available puppies, visit www.carenj.com
• A New Year’s Eve dinner dance will be held by the Old Bridge Columbian Club at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 31 at 61 Pine Street, Old Bridge. Admission is $57 per person (in advance only). Music of the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s and more. Party hats and streamers provided. For reservations, call 908-510-5693 or 732-707-3417.
• St. Thomas Lutheran Church, 203 Taylors Mills Road, Manalapan, will host a holiday yard sale and bake sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 2. There will be new and gently used items and homemade baked goods available for purchase. Details: http://www.st-thomaslutheranchurch.com
• “In Search of Israeli Cuisine” is a documentary that is a portrait of the Israeli people told through food. The film will be shown at the Freehold Jewish Center, 59 Broad St., Freehold Borough, at 10:30 a.m. Dec. 3. The public is welcome to attend. Donation is $7 toward lunch (pita, hummus, falafel, Israeli salad). Reservations are requested. Details: 732-462-0254.
• The Manalapan-Englishtown Regional School District Board of Education will hold two meetings during December. The board will hold a committee of the whole meeting at 7 p.m. Dec. 5 at the Wemrock Brook School, Millhurst Road, Manalapan. The board will hold a regular action meeting at 7 p.m. Dec. 19 at the Manalapan Englishtown Middle School, Millhurst Road, Manalapan. Both meetings are open to the public.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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 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.
• Between 5:30-7 p.m. Dec. 18, homes throughout Freehold Borough will be nominated for awards and judged by students who will be driven by adults through neighborhoods in town. Certificates of recognition will be awarded for homeowners’ holiday decorating efforts at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 21 at the Monmouth County Hall of Records Plaza. Musical entertainment will be provided by the Freehold Township band under the direction of Edward Gattsek. Santa is expected to make a guest appearance. The Holiday House Decorating Contest is sponsored by the Freehold Borough Recreation Commission. Refreshments are provided by The Court Jester.
• The Sisterhood of Temple Rodeph Torah, 15 Mohawk Drive, Marlboro, will host “Studio TRT,” a night of dancing, food and wine, from 7-11 p.m. Dec. 2. Admission is $30 at the door. Details: 732-308-0055.
• The Manalapan High School Marching Band will host a Jingle Jangle Pajama Party from 6-9 p.m. Dec. 15 at the high school, 20 Church Lane. Wear pajamas and eat breakfast for dinner, make fun crafts and visit with Santa. Special raffle for a Hatchimal. Adults: $10; children 10 and under, $8. Make checks payable to MHSMPA and mail to P.O. Box 618, Manalapan, NJ 07726. All envelopes must be postmarked by Dec. 8. A limited number of tickets will be sold at the door.
• 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.
• The Manalapan Township Committee will hold a town hall meeting at 7 p.m. Dec. 6 at the Renaissance clubhouse (off Craig Road), 24 Derry Meeting Drive. This will be an informal meeting of the governing body and no action will be taken. The meeting is open to all residents of Manalapan.
• Old Brick Reformed Church, 490 Newman Springs Road (Route 520), Marlboro, will hold its holiday boutique and bake sale on Dec. 2 from 1-4 p.m. All are invited to attend. Enjoy coffee or tea and a homemade treat while you shop. Christmas items, baked goods, church memorabilia, jewelry, and gift and decorator items will be available for purchase.
• The Manalapan Township Committee meeting that was scheduled to be held on Dec. 13 at the municipal complex, 120 Route 522, has been cancelled and rescheduled to Dec. 11 (workshop at 6:30 p.m., public session at 8 p.m.).
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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 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]
• 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.
• 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 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
• Disabled American Veterans Chapter 74, Freehold, will meet at 7 p.m. Jan. xx 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.
• 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.