• “A Taste of New Jersey,” sponsored by Temple Rodeph Torah, Marlboro, will be held from 6-9 p.m. June 11 at the Grand Marquis, Old Bridge. Guests will sample signature dishes from several dining establishments. There will be music, live entertainment, raffle prizes and more. Rabbi Shira Stern will be honored for her work on behalf of the temple and the American Red Cross. The event is open to the entire community. Tickets: $75 per person prepaid and $80 at the door. Proceeds will benefit the temple, the American Red Cross, local special needs students and Fulfill, the local food bank. To sign up and pay online, visit tickets.tasteofnj.org. Details: 732 308-0055.
• A presentation about the impacts, solutions and what individuals can do to urge their community to achieve 100 percent clean energy will take place at the Monmouth County Library Headquarters, 125 Symmes Drive, Manalapan, from 6:30-8 p.m. May 14.
“Climate Reality and Monmouth County’s Path to 100 percent Clean Energy” will be presented by Steve and and Pat Miller, climate reality leaders and climate issues chair, Sierra Club Shore Group. All are welcome to attend the presentation.
• The Freehold Borough Human Relations Committee invites the public to participate in a
town-wide beautification contest this spring. Projects may include property repairs, painting, landscaping or cleaning up of a property. Prizes will be awarded (at least 15 entries must be submitted). Individuals, business owners and organizations should submit
“before” and “after” photos of a project, relating to their respective residential or
commercial property. Send entries to Borough Hall, attn. Pat Ruegger, or email entries to [email protected] by May 31. Winners to be announced June 4. For an entry form and complete rules, visit www.freeholdboroughnj.gov
• The Freehold Memorial Day Parade Committee in conjunction with the Court Jester and Federici’s Family Restaurant in Freehold Borough will host a fundraiser. From May 14-16, the Court Jester and Federici’s will donate 20 percent of a guest’s pre-tax check to the parade committee. Bring the flier and present it to the server upon check-out. Visit www.freeholdmemorialdayparade.com to download the flier. The flier can be used all day, any or all of the three days, in either or both restaurants.
• The 2018 Discussion Series will continue with “Computer Crime Prevention” from 7:30-9:30 p.m. May 22 at the Co-Cathedral of St. Robert Bellarmine, 61 Georgia Road, Freehold Township. Topics will include cybercrime, how to prevent becoming a victim of cybercrime and understanding social media tools. The series is sponsored by Kathy Lo Bue, managing director, Glen Eagle Advisors. The series is free, nonsectarian and open to the community. RSVP to 732-866-6660.
• The Marlboro Recreation Community Center, 1996 Recreation Way, Marlboro, will host a book fair to benefit the Marlboro Youth Exchange program. Lightly used books may be brought to the recreation center vestibule from May 14-17, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and May 18, 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Book sale weekend: May 19, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and May 20, 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Details: Ilana Kats, 732-674-4989.
• A clothing drive fundraiser will be organized by the Marlboro Youth Exchange Program. Donations may be dropped off at the Marlboro Recreation Community Center parking lot from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. May 19-20. Following items accepted: New and gently used men’s, women’s and children’s clothing, shoes, purses, belts, bed and bath linens, stuffed animals, bicycles and baby strollers. Details: Ilana Kats, 732-674-4989.
• A meeting of the Monmouth County Retired Educators Association will be held at 11 a.m. June 5 at the Spring Lake Manor, Spring Lake. Installation of officers will take place. The annual philanthropic award will be presented. The association is collecting backpacks and school supplies for Bridges At The Shore for distribution prior to the upcoming school year, as well as non-perishable donations for the local food bank. For luncheon reservations, contact Sue at 732 995-7754 or email [email protected] before May 25. New members are always welcome.
• The Manalapan-Englishtown Regional School District Board of Education will hold a regular meeting at 7:30 p.m. May 22 at 54 Main St., Englishtown. The meeting is open to the public.
• The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive at the Freehold Township municipal building, Stillwells Corner Road, from 2-7 p.m. May 9. Donors of all blood types are needed. Make an appointment to donate blood by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
• A summer camp fair will be held at the YMCA of Western Monmouth County, 470 East Freehold Road, Freehold Township, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 19. Visitors will be entered into a raffle to win a free week of camp and membership fee will be waived for enrollments at the fair. Games, snacks, giveaways, meet the staff, tours. Details: Jodi Pelano, 732-462-0464.
• The National Council of Jewish Women, Central Jersey section, will hold its annual luncheon and fashion show from noon to 4 p.m. May 23 at the Radisson, 50 Gibson Place, Freehold Township. A hot luncheon will be served and then guests will be treated to a fashion show from Chico’s of Freehold. Admission is $36 per person. To make reservations, contact Barbara Michaels, 732-308-3431.
• The Rutgers Master Gardeners will hold their Spring Garden Days Plant Sale from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 18 and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 19 at 4000 Kozloski Road, Freehold Township. Rain or shine; cash or checks accepted. All welcome to attend. Master Gardeners will provide tips for planting. Free gardening talks will be offered each day. Colorful annuals, hardy perennials, hardy vegetable plants, trees and shrubs will be available. Details: 732-303-7614 or www.visitmonmouth.com
• “Using Catholic Sources” will be the topic of the 1:30 p.m. May 20 meeting of the Monmouth County Genealogy Society at the Community Center, 72 Broad St., Eatontown. The meeting is free and open to the public. Kathleen Feighery, director of archives at the Archdiocese of New York, will discuss expanding access to Roman Catholic records in the New York area and elsewhere. Details: 732-747-0090.
• Jewish War Veterans of the USA Post 536, serving Marlboro and Manalapan, holds a breakfast meeting on the third Sunday of every month at the Covered Bridge clubhouse at 10:30 a.m. The post will pay a new member’s first year dues. All veterans who served during the Korean War, Vietnam War, Iraqi Freedom and Iraq/Afghanistan wars are welcome. Details: Email Leo Rosenzweig at [email protected] or call 917-848-2146.
• Disabled American Veterans Chapter 74, Freehold, will meet at 7 p.m. May 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.
• Embroiderers’ Guild of America-Monmouth Chapter is dedicated to teaching and sharing the joys of needlework. Stitchers of all levels are welcome at meetings. There are sit-and-stitch tables at each meeting, as well as special projects. Day stitchers will meet May 17 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Colts Neck Community Church, 25 Merchant Way. There will be day 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
• The Heart of New Jersey Chorus will hold its “Friends and Family” performance at 8 p.m. May 9 at the Millstone Township Primary School, 18 Schoolhouse Road, Millstone Township. The members of the chorus are preparing for their annual competition in Albany, N.Y., in May. Refreshments will be served. Details: 732-446-9782.
• On May 21, the Freehold Municipal Alliance to Prevent Substance Abuse, a partnership between Freehold Borough and Freehold Township, will hold the 20th anniversary of the Ray Kershaw Memorial Golf Tournament at Battleground Country Club, Manalapan. Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden will be the guest speaker at the awards dinner. The tournament is a major source of funding for the alliance’s programming efforts. Sponsors, golfers and dinner attendees are welcome. Details: Email Antoinette Ceciarelli at at [email protected] or call 732-294-5103.
• Center Players Dessert Theater will host an evening with Medium/Intuitive Leslie Lagani at 7:30 p.m. May 10 at Center Playhouse, Freehold. Seating is extremely limited, tickets are $40, and reservations are required. Checks should be made payable to Center Players and mailed to Center Players, 35 South St., Freehold, NJ 07728, Attention: Roberta. Include name, phone number and email address. No walk-ins. Not everyone present will receive a reading during the event. Details: Roberta, 732-757-6590.
• The Monmouth County Board of Elections is seeking poll workers. To qualify, an individual must be a registered voter in Monmouth County and attend a poll worker training class. Individuals will be paid $200 for working a primary election or a general election. Call 732-431-7802, ext. 7150 to register for a training class.
• 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.
• American Legion Molly Pitcher Post 434, Manalapan, is seeking individuals to join the organization’s regular membership, Sons of the American Legion, Ladies Auxiliary and Legion Riders. Membership is open to residents of any town. The cost of a new member’s first year of membership will be covered by the post. Details: 732-446-9872 (11 a.m. to 8 p.m.) or Facebook @al434
• The Manalapan-Englishtown Community Alliance to Prevent Alcoholism and Drug Abuse has launched its Project Zero website at projectzeromanalapan.com. Project Zero is the alliance’s initiative to reset the narrative in Englishtown and Manalapan regarding substance abuse. The website contains information about where residents can go for assistance.
• 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 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
• 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.
• 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.
Items for the Datebook may be sent to [email protected]. Please send items at least two weeks prior to a scheduled event.