• The Monmouth County Park System will host its Great Fall Perennial Plant Swap on Sept. 22 from 8:30-11:30 a.m. at Tatum Park, 151 Red Hill Road, Middletown. Gardeners are invited to bring labeled plants in one-quart, one-gallon or two-gallon containers and take home the same size and number of plants. House plants may also be exchanged, but no annuals or invasives. To allow for plant inspection, plant drop-off will be from 8:30-10 a.m. Plants may be selected and taken home from 10-11:30 a.m. Details: 732-671-6050.
• Kathy Lo Bue, managing director of Glen Eagle Advisors, LLC, and sponsor of the
Discussion Series, will be the presenter on Sept. 25 from 7:30-9:30 p.m. at the Co-Cathedral of St. Robert Bellarmine, 61 Georgia Road, Freehold Township. “Achieving Your Best Life!” will discuss the following: How do you focus on what’s important? How do you plan? What steps do you take? How do your money decisions impact all of the above?
Adults of all ages are invited. The series is free, non-sectarian and open to the community. Call 732-866-6660 to register.
• The St. Peter’s Thrift Shop will open St. Peter’s Annex featuring a holiday shop of Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and Hanukkah merchandise on Sept. 22. Customers are welcome to come and browse the holiday shop at 43 Throckmorton St. on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The main thrift shop at 49 Throckmorton St. is open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Donations of clothing and housewares are accepted on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Details: 732-462-9264.
• The RB Express will perform at the Marlboro Library, 1 Library Court, at 1 p.m. Sept. 27. The three-person vocal group will present harmony and rhythm in 1950s style. Advance registration is necessary and may be made at www.monmouthcountylib.org or by calling 732-536-9406.
• Old Tennent Presbyterian Church, 450 Tennent Road, Manalapan, will host a Fall Fun Festival and Flea Market from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 13. There will be games, a flea market, book sales, mums and food. All are welcome to attend. Sponsored by the Christian Education Committee. Proceeds benefit the Youth Fund and Triennium Fees. Details: 732-446-6299.
• Center Players Dessert Theater will present a dramatic play reading of William Inge’s “Come Back Little Sheba” at Center Playhouse, 35 South St., Freehold, at 7 p.m. Sept. 25.
Center Players’ Book in Hand play reading series allows audiences to be exposed to
plays in an informal setting while also allowing writers to experience audience
reaction to their work. A question and answer and talk-back session will follow the
reading. Admission is free, but a $5 donation is requested. Details: www.centerplayers.org or 732-462-9093.
• Empty Bowls events are scheduled at the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Kitchen, 1769 Hooper Ave., Toms River, Sept. 22, noon to 7 p.m., and 207 Monmouth St., Red Bank, Sept. 29, noon to 7 p.m. Light refreshments will be served from noon to 3 p.m. at both locations, where dinner is available from 5-7 p.m. The Soul Kitchens are nonprofit community restaurants that serve paying customers and in-need customers. A $20 donation provides a choice of a unique bowl and defrays the cost of meals for in-need customers. All are welcome to attend. Details: [email protected]
• The National Council of Jewish Women will hold its general membership meeting at Monmouth County Library Headquarters, Symmes Road, Manalapan, from noon to 2 p.m. Sept. 26. The guest speaker will be Monmouth County Freeholder Deputy Director Lillian G. Burry, who will share information about her duties and offer insights about how individuals can make a difference. Light refreshments will be served. The public is invited to attend.
• The fall sessions of “Dancing by the Peddie Lake with Candace Woodward-Clough,” offering instruction in swing, foxtrot, waltz and Latin dancing, will be held at 112 Etra Road, Hightstown. Classes will run continuously on Thursdays and Fridays. Beginner classes start at 7:30 p.m. and intermediate classes begin at 8:30 p.m. The cost is $60 per person for a four-week session. Pre-registration is required. Details: 732-995-4284 or email [email protected]
• DeBows United Methodist Church, corner of Route 571 and Route 537, Jackson, will host its annual flea market from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 6. There will be a food concession with breakfast and lunch items. Interested vendors may call Sue at 732-928-0352 to reserve table space ($10 each; table not provided, setup starts at 7 a.m.). Details: debowsumc.org
• Sunday school at the Old Brick Reformed Church, 490 Route 520, Marlboro, will begin at 9:30 a.m. Sept. 23 in the sanctuary. Sunday school will be held on Sept. 23, Oct. 7, 21, Nov. 4, 18 and Dec. 2, 16. The teaching staff will share life lessons from the Scriptures with children in a one-room schoolhouse setting. All children ages 4-12 are welcome to enroll. Details: 732-946-8860.
• A meeting of the Monmouth County Retired Educators Association will be held at 11 a.m. Oct. 9 at the Double Tree Tinton Falls, Eatontown. A meet and greet for candidates running for local office in November will begin at 10:30 a.m. Sarah Geiger, a representative from NJEA, will discuss Medicare and OptumRX during the membership meeting. Members are asked to bring non-perishable donations for the food bank. For luncheon reservations, contact Sue at 732-995-7754 or email [email protected] before Sept. 28. New members are always welcome.
• The Manalapan-Englishtown Community Alliance to Prevent Alcoholism and Drug Abuse will host a “Hidden in Plain Sight” program at 7 p.m. Sept. 27 at the Manalapan Englishtown Middle School, 155 Millhurst Road, Manalapan. The program is designed to help prevent youth drug use as it educates adults about the current strategies young people are using to hide drugs and alcohol in plain sight. Details: www.projectzeromanalapan.org or www.mtnj.org or 732-446-8345.
• The Freehold Township Senior Center, 116 Jackson Mills Road, Freehold Township, will host a craft show from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 10. Tables are available for $15. There will be a variety of craft and holiday items. Details: 732-294-2029.
• The sixth annual Howell/Farmingdale 5K run and race walk benefiting CONTACT of Ocean and Monmouth Counties 24/7 crisis intervention and suicide prevention hotline will be held on Oct. 21 at Howell High School, Squankum-Yellowbrook Road, Howell. The course is now certified. The 5K will begin at 9:30 a.m. All ages welcome. Awards to top male and female overall, plus age group awards for 5K run. Special pricing for ages 19 and under. All registration fees discounted when registered by Oct. 17. Details: 732-240-6104 for registration and/or info on becoming a sponsor. Visit www.contactoceanmonmouth.org for race application form or register online at https://register.compuscore.com/contact5k
• The Monmouth County Park System will hold a butterfly and pollinator garden tour on Sept. 20 and Sept. 27 at 11 a.m. at the Manasquan Reservoir Environmental Center, Howell. Tour a special garden that is designed to provide a habitat for wildlife. The tour is approximately 30 minutes and is offered weather permitting. Free.
• The Monmouth County Park System will hold a Monarch butterfly tagging demo on Sept. 22 and Sept. 26 at noon at the Manasquan Reservoir Environmental Center, Howell.
See how scientists attach small tags to Monarch butterflies’ wings and learn about their migration to Mexico. Call 732-751-9453 for more information. Free.
• The Monmouth County Park System will host a Harvest Home Festival from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 30 at Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel. The fair is reminiscent of the 1890s. Visitors can enjoy wagon rides, games and live entertainment. There will also be ongoing craft demonstrations and a home and garden competition. Admission and parking are free.
• Marty’s Place Senior Dog Sanctuary will host its annual Howl-O-Ween Family Fest from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 21 (rain date, Oct. 28) at 118 Route 526, Upper Freehold. This fun-filled event is open to the public and anyone can come with children of all ages and dogs of all sizes. There will be a Ruff Mudder Canine Obstacle Course. Dogs of all skill levels are welcome to participate with their owners. There will also be a costume contest for dogs, plus other activities. Details: 609-259-1278 or www.martysplace.org
• Brookdale Community College Foundation’s 39th annual Education Open Golf Outing will be held on Sept. 27 at Eagle Oaks Golf and Country Club, Howell. The event is open to the public. The shotgun start for the full scramble tournament is set for 11:30 a.m. Golf carts and special gifts are included. Details: Timothy Zeiss, 732-224-2887, https://www.brookdalecc.edu/brookdale-foundation/2018-education-open-golf-
outing/
• The Marlboro Jewish Center will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Chai Building, 46 Topanemus Road, Marlboro, beginning at 11 a.m. Oct. 14. There will be musical performances, family art projects, refreshments and games. Community members of all ages are invited to attend the free event. Invited guests include Mayor Jonathan Hornik, Congressman Frank Pallone Jr. and Gov. Phil Murphy. The Chai Building hosts a preschool, a Hebrew school and a youth program.
• Center Players Dessert Theater has partnered with theater instructor Darrell Willis Sr. to offer teen acting classes this fall at Center Playhouse, 35 South St., Freehold. “Acting 101” is open to young adults ages 12-17 and will include scene study, improvisation and basic acting techniques. Classes will be held from 10 a.m. to noon on 10 Saturdays from Oct. 13 through Dec. 15. The fee is $200 per student. Students may download a registration form at www.centerplayers.org. Details: Text 908-216-5168.
• The Manalapan-Englishtown Regional School District Board of Education will host the following meeting at the district offices at 54 Main St., Englishtown: 7:30 p.m. Sept. 25, regular action meeting. The meeting is open to the public.
• Boys and girls ages 8-17 may experience a free airplane ride on Oct. 20 as Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Chapter 315 of the North Jersey Shore hosts a Young Eagles Flight Rally at Monmouth Jet Center, 1717 Route 34, Wall Township. Those attending are asked to enter the airport at Hurley Pond Road west of Route 34 and proceed to the main terminal building, starting at 9:30 a.m. to register for their flight. A parent or guardian who can sign a required parental permission form at that time must accompany students. Flights begin at 10 a.m. and registration closes at 1 p.m. Rain date is Oct. 27. Details: www.youngeagles.org
• Pink Ribbons of Central New Jersey will host a Susan G. Komen breast cancer walk at 10 a.m. Oct. 14 at the Renaissance at Manalapan adult community, 24 Derry Meeting Drive, Manalapan. Check-in starts at 8:45 a.m. Minimum donation to register is $25. Breakfast to follow the walk for paid registrants only. Details: Helen Cohen, 732-577-0303.
• The Arcadian Chorale, an ensemble dedicated to excellence in choral singing, will begin its fall season with rehearsals every Tuesday from 7-10 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of Matawan, Route 34 at Franklin Street. People who like to sing and are interested in becoming new members are invited to attend auditions on Sept. 25 from 6-7 p.m. Membership in the group is free. To arrange for an audition in advance or for further information, call 732-583-4007 or email [email protected]
• The Colts Neck Reformed Church, 139 Route 537, Colts Neck, will host a blood drive for the Central Jersey Blood Center on Sept. 26 from 3:30-8:30 p.m. Call the church
during the week at 732-462-4555 to schedule a time to donate, or contact the Central Jersey Blood Center at www.cjbcblood.org/ to arrange a donation time.
• The Colts Neck Reformed Church, 139 Route 537, Colts Neck, will hold its annual Election Day Luncheon, Dinner and Craft Bazaar on Nov. 6. Tickets for the lunch and dinner (featuring a turkey meal) will be available for purchase beginning Oct. 9. All are welcome to attend. Proceeds to benefit the ongoing benevolence program of the church. Details:
732-462-4555.
• The Heart of New Jersey Chorus is holding open guest nights during September. The chorus rehearses every Wednesday from 7:30-10 p.m. at the Millstone Township Primary School, 18 Schoolhouse Road, Millstone Township. Details: 732-446-9782.
• Comedian, singer and pianist Steven “Sarge” Pickman will perform at Congregation Ahavat Olam, Howell, at 2 p.m. Oct. 14. The event is open to the public. Tickets may be purchased by calling 732-333-1299. Tickets are $18 for general admission; $36 for priority reserved seating; and $54 for premium reserved seating. There will be a meet and greet reception prior to the show which includes sponsorship seating in the first three rows for $108 (a block of four tickets must be purchased). Pickman will be available after the show to sell and autograph his book “Black Boychik.”
• The Deep Cut Orchid Society will hold its annual orchid auction on Oct. 6 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with plant preview available from 9:30-10 a.m., at Monmouth Park racetrack, 175 Oceanport Avenue, Oceanport. Orchids from growers in Ecuador, Brazil, Taiwan and the United States will be available for bidding. Admission and parking is free. A hot and cold buffet will be available for $16 per person. Visit deepcutorchidsociety.org for additional information and to RSVP.
• 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, as well as special projects. Day stitchers will meet Sept. 20 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Colts Neck Community Church, 25 Merchant Way, Colts Neck. Details: Toni, 732-462-5540, or www.mcega.org
• Temple Beth Ahm, 550 Lloyd Road, Aberdeen, will host monthly meet and greet events on Sept. 26, Oct. 31, Nov. 28 and Dec. 26 at 7:30 p.m. Guests are welcome to come and learn about the synagogue. Refreshments will be served. Details: Email [email protected] or call 732-583-1700.
• Saint Gabriel’s Church, Marlboro, will host a juried craft and vendor fair on Nov. 11 from
10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Prospective vendors should send name, business name, email, mailing address, phone number and a description of their work with four to six high-quality photos demonstrating sample crafts and wares and table set-ups to Julia A. Oliver at
[email protected]. The table fee is $45. Vendors should not mail payment until they are notified they have been selected to participate.
• 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.
• 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.