• Freehold Elks Lodge 1454, 73 E. Main St., Freehold, will hold its “All U Can Eat, Cooked to Order Breakfast” from 9 a.m. to noon May 20. Last seating is at 11:30 a.m. All are welcome to attend. Cost is $9 for adults and $5 for children under 12.
• Embroiderers’ Guild of America-Monmouth Chapter is dedicated to teaching and sharing the joys of needlework. Stitchers of all levels are welcome to attend a meeting. There are sit and stitch tables at each meeting, as well as special projects. Evening stitchers will meet June 4 from 7-9 p.m. at the Colts Neck Library, 1 Winthrop Drive, Colts Neck. There is no day stitching scheduled for June, July and August. 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
• Join the Shrewsbury Chorale on June 12 at 5:30 p.m. for an evening of patriotic songs, dinner catered by Buona Sera and gift baskets at the Buona Sera Palazzo, 1033 W. Park Ave., Ocean Township. Grand prize is a five-day/four-night stay at the Royal West Indies Resort, Turks and Caicos. Advance reservations only by June 5. BYOB. Cost is $55. Details: 732-747-1362.
• The Monmouth County Audubon Society will host a summer evening bird walk on Sandy Hook in northern Monmouth County at 6 p.m. June 21. Anyone interested in participating in the event can meet at 6 p.m. in the parking lot of the old Sandy Hook Visitors Center, just north of Lot E (1.8 miles from the park entrance). The trip is open to members and non-members of the Audubon Society and participation is free. Advance registration is not required. Dress appropriately for the weather. Insect repellent is recommended. The walk will take place light rain or shine. Pets are not permitted. Details: Email [email protected]
• The annual chair auction to support a Manalapan High School scholarship is up and running. Visit Mbmsgoals.org for pictures, locations and current bid amounts. The auction runs through May 27. All proceeds go directly to the scholarship. Bids accepted online or by phone and text. All chairs will be brought from their host business locations to the Manalapan Memorial Day Soccer Tournament, May 26-27.
• On May 16, the Freehold Public Library’s Teen Library Committee is starting a 4-H Club for area students in sixth grade through high school. The 7 p.m. meeting at the library, East Main Street, Freehold Borough, will include pizza and a service project. Parents may attend this initial meeting. Membership is free. RSVP: kmulholland@ freeholdpubliclibrary.org or call 732-462-5135 by 3:30 p.m. on May 16.
• The Jewish Heritage Museum of Monmouth County, Freehold Township, presents “Lower Manhattan and its Historical Relationship to Monmouth County,” a talk by New York City historian and tour guide Marty Schneit at 2 p.m. June 3. Tickets are $8 for museum members and $10 for non-members. To make a paid reservation (non-refundable), call the museum at 732-252-6990 or visit www.jhmomc.org
• A mini flea market will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 19th at St. Thomas Lutheran Church, 203 Taylors Mill Road, Manalapan. The flea market will feature new and gently used items and baked goods. Details: Email [email protected]
• Center Players Dessert Theater will welcome Uncle Floyd Vivino for performances on June 9 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. at Center Playhouse, 35 South St., Freehold. Opening the show will be humorist Randi Lupo. This is a family friendly show. Tickets are $25 and are available online at www.centerplayers.org or by calling 732-462-9093.
• “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.
• 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 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.
• 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 29 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 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.