• The Monmouth County Park System will hold its annual E. Murray Todd Half Marathon on March 10. The 13.1-mile race will take runners through Lincroft, Holmdel and Colts Neck. The race begins at 8:30 a.m. at Brookdale Community College, Lincroft. Pre-registration is accepted online or through the mail until March 6 and costs $40 per person. Race day registration is available beginning at 7 a.m. ($60 per person). Details: Email Jeffrey.Papcun@ monmouthcountyparks.com or call 732-542-1642, ext. 27.
• Volunteer genealogy specialists Richard and Angela Wood will explain “How to Navigate the FamilySearch Website” at the 1:30 p.m. March 10 meeting of the Monmouth County Genealogy Society at the Community Center, 72 Broad St., Eatontown. Admission is free and the public is welcome. Details: 732-747-0090.
• Millstone Township’s annual stream cleanup will be held from 9 a.m. to noon April 13. All are welcome to participate. Meet at the municipal court building, 215 Millstone Road. Rain or shine. Gloves and bags provided. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Large groups are asked to email Erin Stretz at [email protected] so ample supplies may be brought to the event. Details: Visit thewatershed.org
• Boy Scout Troop 180A will host an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast on Feb. 23 from 8-11 a.m. at the Allentown Presbyterian Church, 20 High St. Cost: Adults, $8; children ages 4-12, $4; children 3 and under, free. Proceeds will go back to Troop 180A to support scouting in the community. Food for the event has been donated by Wireless Zone, Route 33, Hamilton.
• “The History of the Italian Jews,” a talk by Rabbi Michael Klein (rabbi emeritus, Congregation Ahavat Olam, Howell), will be held at 2 p.m. March 31 at the Jewish Heritage Museum of Monmouth County, 310 Mount’s Corner Drive, Freehold Township. Cost to attend is $8 for museum members and $10 for non-members. To reserve a space, call
732-252-6990.
• John P. Stevens High School, Edison, Class of 1969 will hold its 50-year reunion on Aug. 10 at Galloping Hills Caterers, Union. Cocktail hour from 6-7 p.m., dinner from 7-11 p.m. Cost is $75 per person. Payment and RSVP to Donna Ciccone, 9 Anita Ave., Edison, NJ 08820. Details: Debbie DeMauro Bava, email [email protected]
• The Tri-County Chapter of the Brandeis National Committee will host an open meeting at 1:30 p.m. March 19 at the Allentown First Aid Squad, 70 Route 526, Allentown. David Emerson, an historical interpreter and storyteller, will tell colorful and ancient tales about Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Cornwall. Emerson’s presentation is free and open to the public. The presentation is funded by the New Jersey Council for the Humanities.
• The Monmouth County Audubon Society is seeking volunteers to join its board. New volunteers are needed to assist the organization with its newsletter, website, publicity, program planning, and/or assist with the organization’s scholarship program. Details:
www.monmouthaudubon.org or email [email protected]
• The Ms. New Jersey Senior America Pageant will be held at Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City on June 5. The pageant seeks ladies, age 60 and over, who best exemplify the dignity, maturity and inner beauty of all senior Americans. Judging categories are Evening Gown; Philosophy of Life; Talent; and Judges Interview. The winner will participate in the Ms. Senior America Pageant 2019. Women who are interested in becoming a contestant may contact Terry Meade at 609-443-3039, 908-216-8534, or by email at [email protected]. Details: www.newjerseysenioramerica.org
• The Fresh Air Fund is seeking area residents willing to volunteer to host a child from New York City this summer through the Friendly Towns Program. Children are boys and girls, ages 7-18. Details: Karen Medlin, 732-740-0449, or www.freshair.org
• Millstone Township residents who are interested in history, heritage, research and education are invited to apply for membership on the Millstone Township Historic Preservation Commission. Interested individuals may complete a talent bank application on the township’s website or in the municipal offices.
• Millstone Township Recreation invites students in grades eight through 12 to volunteer for its sports programs and special events. Young adults may complete community service hours for school, religious organizations or clubs. To see volunteer opportunities, visit www.millstonerec.org
• The Jewish Home for Rehabilitation and Nursing, Freehold Township, a new skilled rehabilitation and nursing facility serving the Jewish community, is hosting a free monthly support group called The Jewish Caregiver’s Experience. The group meets at 7 p.m. on the last Tuesday of each month. Caregivers of all ages seeking support, resources and a Jewish perspective on managing their responsibilities are welcome to attend. Refreshments will be served. Call Avrum at 732-202-1000, ext. 4012, or email [email protected] for more information.
• The Allentown Public Library has announced that the Allentown afghans, which were created and sold by the Women’s Association of Allentown, are now available for the first time since 2008. The afghans were designed by Joanne Tourine and show nine historic structures, including the Imlay Mansion, Gov. Newell’s home, the Presbyterian Church, Abel Cafferty’s Mill house and the iconic mill and the Allentown Baptist Church that is now home to the library. The afghans are available in hunter green, cranberry and colonial blue. They are available for purchase at the library, 16 S. Main Street. All proceeds benefit the Allentown Public Library Association in support of the library building.
• 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 submit items at least two weeks prior to a scheduled event.