• Upstream, an interactive teen suicide prevention program, will be held at the Freehold Public Library, Freehold Borough, for students in sixth grade through high school, at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 17. Participants will learn how to recognize warning signs and help their friends. Presented by the Teen Library Committee and the Institute for Prevention, RJW Barnabas Health. No registration necessary; refreshments served.
• The Gloria Saker Women’s Heart Program at CentraState Medical Center, Freehold Township, will host its second annual “Paint to Your Heart’s Content” event, an evening of relaxation and creativity for women and their friends, at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 23. Participants can paint and personalize their own tote bag, and learn how small changes can make a big impact for a heart-healthy lifestyle. The cost is $35 per person. To register, call 732-308-0570 or visit livelifewellnj.com/events
• Freehold Elks Lodge 1454 Motorcycle Committee will host its fourth annual Wings and Chili Cook-Off from 3-7 p.m. Jan. 21 at 73 E. Main St., Freehold. Guests may try all of the entries and cast a vote for $15. All are welcome to attend. Details: 732-431-8707.
• Freehold Elks Lodge 1454, 73 E. Main St., Freehold, will host an “All You Can Eat, Cooked to Order Breakfast” from 9 a.m. to noon Jan. 21. The last seating is at 11:30 a.m. All are welcome to attend. The cost is $9 for adults and $5 for children under 12.
• Sunday school at St. Thomas Lutheran Church, Taylors Mills Road, Manalapan, will start on Jan. 21 from 9:30-10:30 a.m. for children in kindergarten through fifth grade. To register or for more information, email [email protected] or call 732-252-9550.
• The Fresh Air Fund is seeking area residents who would like to host a child this summer through the fund’s Friendly Towns Program. The children participate in activities with their host family during their stay. The Fresh Air Fund has provided free summer experiences to more than 1.8 million New York City children from low-income communities since 1877. Children are boys and girls, ages 7 to 18. Details: Karen Medlin, 732-740-0449, or visit www.freshair.org
• Embroiderers’ Guild of America-Monmouth Chapter welcomes stitchers of all levels. There are sit-and-stitch tables at each meeting, as well as special projects. Evening stitchers will meet Feb. 5 from 7-9 p.m. at the Colts Neck Library, 1 Winthrop Drive, Colts Neck. Day stitchers will meet Feb. 15 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Colts Neck Community Church, 25 Merchant Way, Colts Neck. There will be stitch-ins at the Colts Neck Library from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 21, July 19 and Aug. 16. Details: Toni, 732-462-5540, or www.mcega.org
• Freehold Elks Lodge 1454, 73 W. Main St., Freehold, will host its monthly breakfast from 9 a.m. to noon Jan. 21. Made to order breakfast, all you can eat. Adults, $9; children under 12, $5. Proceeds benefit local charities and organizations. All are welcome to attend. Details: 732-431-8707.
• The Manalapan-Englishtown Community Alliance to Prevent Alcoholism and Drug Abuse will host a program on Feb. 15 at Manalapan High School, Church Lane, to mobilize a community-based effort to prevent alcohol and drug abuse. Refreshments at 6:30 p.m.; program at 7:15 p.m. All residents and business operators from Manalapan and Englishtown are invited. Teenagers may attend. There is no cost and no obligation. Details: David Richardson, 732-446-8345 or [email protected]
• A program about substance abuse awareness and prevention will be held from 7-9 p.m. Jan. 23 in Old Scots Hall at Old Tennent Presbyterian Church, 448 Tennent Road, Manalapan. The program will be presented by the Manalapan-Englishtown Community Alliance to Prevent Alcoholism and Drug Abuse. The event is open to the public. Details: 732-446-6299 or www.oldtennent.org
• The American Association of University Women Freehold Branch is accepting book donations for its 2018 book sale. With the exception of Reader’s Digest condensed books and textbooks, all books in good condition are appreciated. Books may be dropped off at the Freehold Savings Bank, 68 W. Main St., Freehold, on Tuesdays between 10 a.m. and noon, or contact Joan at 732-431-2297 for drop-off instructions. Proceeds from the AAUW book sale support scholarships for women returning to college and monetary awards for graduating female seniors from the six schools in the Freehold Regional High School District.
• Bonita and Gerald Sussman, the creators of Kulanu, will visit the Freehold Jewish Center, Freehold Borough, on Jan. 21 to speak about their recent trip and experiences in Africa. The program will be held at 10:30 a.m. Kulanu supports isolated, emerging and returning Jewish communities around the world. A $5 donation will cover bagels, schmears, etc. All are invited to attend the program. RSVP to 732-462-0254 or email [email protected]
• Center Players will host a voiceover workshop for teens and adults on Jan. 20 from 1-4 p.m. at Center Playhouse, 35 South St., Freehold. The workshop will be instructed by Bryant Falk, a corporate producer, director and professional voiceover commercial coach, and his technical team from Abacus Entertainment. The registration fee is $30 in advance and $35 at the door. Register by calling 732-462-9093 or online at www.centerplayers.org
• Solomon Schechter Day School of Greater Monmouth County, Marlboro, will host a free PJ Library Character Breakfast and Pajama Party for children of all ages on Feb. 11 from 10-11:15 a.m. The program is free and open to the public. There will be games, a character parade and more. Children may wear their favorite pajamas. The PJ Library sends free Jewish children’s books to children and is funded by the Jewish Federation in the Heart of New Jersey. RSVP required to [email protected] or 732-431-5525.
• New Jersey Blood Services will conduct blood drives which are open to the public on the following dates: Jan. 19, Freehold Raceway Mall, Route 9, Freehold Township, 2-8 p.m.; Jan. 26, Co-Cathedral of St. Robert Bellarmine, 61 Georgia Road, Freehold Township, 2-8 p.m. To donate blood, call 1-800-933-2566 or visit www.nybloodcenter.org
• The 2018 Discussion Series will begin with “New Year-New You,” presented by Lisa Testa from 7:30-9:30 p.m. Jan. 23 at the Co-Cathedral of St. Robert Bellarmine, 61 Georgia Road, Freehold Township. The series is sponsored by Kathy Lo Bue, managing director of Glen Eagle Advisors. Testa is a holistic nutritional consultant who will discuss healthy living. Adults of all ages are invited to the free presentation. The series is free, non-sectarian and open to the community. RSVP to 732-866-6660.
• The Shrewsbury Chorale welcomes singers (high school age and up) of all voice types to attend open rehearsals on Jan. 23 from 7:45-10 p.m. The repertoire ranges from classical to lighter fare. Rehearsals are held Tuesday evenings at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Monmouth County, 1475 West Front Street, Lincroft. Scores provided. Free. Call 732-747-1362 or visit www.shrewsburychorale.org. For auditions, call 609-686-9140.
• Solomon Schechter Day School of Greater Monmouth County, Marlboro, will hold a Winter Wonderland event on Jan. 21 from 4:30-6 p.m. for students in grades five through eight. The $5 admission includes music, games, dinner and snacks. All area students who attend a Jewish day school or are a member of any synagogue or Jewish youth group are invited to attend. Advance registration is required. RSVP to [email protected] and provide name, grade, school, youth group, address and phone number.
• Area residents interested in forming a Bridge playing group may contact Christy Kramer by text or phone at 732-492-7322, or email at [email protected]. The group would be open to all ages, males and females. The goal would be to meet once a week on a regular schedule. A possible location for the group to meet is in Millstone Township.
• The Monmouth County Archives Division’s exhibit, “New Jersey in Focus: Inventors and Innovators in Monmouth County,” is on display on the lower level of the Monmouth County Library Headquarters, 125 Symmes Road, Manalapan. The exhibit highlights renowned and obscure inventions and their inventors. A catalog for the exhibit was created and is available for view and download at http://www.MonmouthCountyClerk.com/Archives
• The First Baptist Church of Freehold, 81 W. Main St., holds a prayer and meditation program from 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. every Wednesday. The church will be open for quiet contemplation and soft music. There will be a 15-minute prayer service starting at 12:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome to attend the free service. Details: 732-462-1105.
• St. Thomas More Parish, 186 Gordons Corner Road, Manalapan, is offering a women’s bible study program. 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 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.
• Disabled American Veterans Chapter 74, Freehold, will meet at 7 p.m. Jan. 30 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 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.
• 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.