• The AAUW Freehold Branch is accepting book donations for its annual book sale. Books must be clean with binding intact. Books that are musty, torn, missing pages, or reference book sets (encyclopedias), textbooks, religion, philosophy, business, reference, psychology, cookbook sets or travel book sets older than 5 years will not be accepted. All donations must be made by appointment by calling 732-303-1031, or by email at [email protected]
• Samaritan Center, a joint ministry of St. Thomas More and Old Tennent Presbyterian churches, operates a food pantry to provide supplementary food for those in need in Manalapan, Marlboro, Englishtown and Millstone Township. For information, call 732-446-1142 and make an appointment. Pickup dates are Tuesday and Thursday from 9:30-11:15 a.m. and Saturday from 9-11 a.m. Volunteers will gladly carry food to a client’s vehicle. Donations of funds and food are gratefully accepted to support the operation of the center. Volunteers are always welcome.
• Boy Scout Troop 155, Freehold, is holding a clothing drive to raise funds for Seabase High Adventure Camp in the Florida Keys. Donations of gently worn clean clothing, shoes, handbags, linens, stuffed animals and small plastic toys would be appreciated. The pick-up date is June 1 in Freehold Township. Early donations are accepted. Call or text Allison Toth at 908-337-8701 for more information. Residents may call or text Nina Rizzo at 201-838-8318 to arrange a pick-up in the Millstone Township area.
• Temple Rodeph Torah, Marlboro, will host its fifth annual community-wide “Blessing of the Animals” at 12:15 p.m. May 5. The event, to be held on the temple’s front lawn, is free and open to the public. There will be teachings and songs about animals and the bond that exists between animals and humans. There will be treats for animals and humans following the service. Details: 732-308-0055.
• The County Seat Jazz and Blues Street Fest in Freehold Borough will take place on West Main Street from noon to 7 p.m. May 5. Performing at the festival will be the Donny Most Band, featuring Donny Most (Ralph Malph from “Happy Days”) from 4:15-5:45 p.m.; the Chuck Lambert Band, 2:30-3:30 p.m.; and the CMJ Jazz Band, 1-2 p.m. Vendors, food; all ages welcome. Details: www.DowntownFreehold.com
• Embroiderers’ Guild of America-Monmouth Chapter welcomes stitchers of all levels. There are sit-and-stitch tables and special projects at each meeting. Evening stitchers will meet from 7-9 p.m. May 6 at the Colts Neck Library, 1 Winthrop Drive, Colts Neck. Day stitchers will meet from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 16 at the Colts Neck Community Church, 25 Merchant Way, Colts Neck. Details: Toni, 732-462-5540, or www.mcega.org
• The Monmouth County Park System will host its annual Creative Arts and Music Festival from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 4 at Thompson Park, 805 Newman Springs Road (Route 520), Lincroft. This juried arts festival features specially selected artists’ works of pottery, photography, jewelry, paintings and other mediums. In addition to the artwork, visitors will enjoy live music and free art demonstrations and activities. Admission and parking for the festival are free. Details: www.MonmouthCountyParks.com or call 732-842-4000.
• The Mourning After is a grief counseling program designed to assist people with recent and not-so-recent losses adjust to the emotions of grieving and the long-term changes that follow. The program is led by licensed professional counselors Bob Szita and Bernice Garfield-Szita. The group meets monthly on Fridays from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Center Playhouse, 35 South St., Freehold. Upcoming dates are May 3 and June 7. A voluntary donation is accepted. New attendees are asked to call in advance at 732-577-1076 or [email protected] or www.GIERS.org
• The Manalapan-Englishtown Regional School District Board of Education will hold the following meetings: 7:30 p.m. May 7, regular action meeting, administration building, 54 Main St., Englishtown; and 7:30 p.m. May 14, regular action meeting, administration building, 54 Main St., Englishtown. The meetings are open to the public.
• A yard sale will be held at the Freehold Intermediate School, 280 Park Ave., Freehold, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 4 (rain date May 5). Vendor space is $10. Details: [email protected]
• A Vision Board Party will be held from noon to 3 p.m. June 1 at the Wicker Memorial Baptist Church, 180 Greenwood Road, Morganville. Guests are invited to declare their vision with a vision board. Cost: $20; supplies and lunch will be provided. Details: Dawn Benjamin, 732-857-4671.
• A prostate cancer awareness event, “Brothers Caring For Brothers,” will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 15 at the Wicker Memorial Baptist Church, 180 Greenwood Road, Morganville. Men’s fellowship; guest speaker, the Rev. Charles Bates; free blood pressure screening; physician on site; light refreshments. Free will offering. Details: Brother Richard, 732-934-0122.
• A meeting of the Monmouth County Retired Educators will be held at 11 a.m. June 11 at the Spring Lake Manor, Spring Lake. The group’s annual philanthropic award will be presented. The retired educators are collecting backpacks and school supplies for Bridges At The Shore for distribution prior to the upcoming school year, as well as non-perishable donations to the food bank. New members are welcome. For luncheon reservations, contact Sue at 732-995-7754 or email [email protected] before May 24.
• DowntownFreehold.com has announced its 2019 Thursdays Rock concert lineup. The free concerts take place at the Monmouth County Hall of Records Plaza from 7:30-9:30 p.m. All ages welcome. The bands are: June 6, Moroccan Sheepherders; June 13, The Snakes; June 20, Mission Dance; June 27, Motor City Revue; July 4, Eddie Testa Band with special guest; July 11, Rockit Fish; July 18, Soul Project NOLO; July 25, The Springsteen Experience; Aug. 1, Joe Keyes and the Late Bloomer Band; Aug. 8, Joe Baracata Band; Aug. 15, Stephen Martines; and Aug. 22, Full Throttle. Details: DowntownFreehold.com
• Tickets are available for the Ms. New Jersey Senior America Pageant 2019 to be held at 1 p.m. June 5 at Harrahs Resort Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City. The 12 contestants will be judged in four categories: Evening Gown; Philosophy of Life; Talent; and Private Judges Interview. Tickets are $15 and may be purchased in advance by calling 908-216-8534 or 609-412-4980, or at the box office, which opens at noon June 5. The pageant is rated general and is for senior citizens, but can also be enjoyed by the entire family. The winner will compete in the Ms. Senior America Pageant 2019 in October. Details: www.newjerseysenioramerica.org or www.senioramerica.org
• The Jewish Home for Rehabilitation and Nursing, Freehold Township, a skilled rehabilitation and nursing facility serving the Jewish community, is hosting a free, monthly support group called the Jewish Caregiver’s Experience. The group will meet at 7 p.m. on the last Tuesday of each month. The group is facilitated by Julie Davelman, a clinical psychologist. Rabbi Nathan Langer, the facility’s rabbi, attends and brings a Jewish perspective. Caregivers of all ages seeking support, resources and a Jewish perspective on managing their responsibilities are welcome to attend. Refreshments will be served. Details: Avrum, 732-202-1000, ext. 4012, or email [email protected]
• The Colts Neck Shade Tree Commission will hold public meetings at 7:30 p.m. on the following dates in the meeting room at Town Hall, 124 Cedar Drive, Colts Neck: May 2, June 6, July 11, Aug. 1, Sept. 5, Oct. 3, Nov. 7 and Dec. 5. Details: 732-462-5470.
• “Your Show of Shows, Part II,” a look at the 1950-54 live variety television show starring Sid Caesar and Imogene Coca, will be presented by Barry Jacobsen at 2 p.m. May 19 at the Jewish Heritage Museum of Monmouth County, 310 Mount’s Corner Drive, Freehold Township. Cost is $8 for museum members and $10 for non-members. All are welcome to attend. Details: 732-252-6990.
• Members of the 1994 New York Rangers Stanley Cup championship team – Mark Messier, Brian Leetch, Adam Graves and Mike Richter – will appear at the Event Center at iPlay America, Freehold Township, on June 30. All ticket holders will have access to a Q&A experience with the former players. Doors open at 2:00 p.m. and the Q&A will start at 3 p.m. Various packages are available for purchase at https://www.iplayamerica.com/core4
• The seventh annual Chhange Golf Classic will be held on June 11 at Forsgate Country Club, Monroe Township. Chhange is the Center for Holocaust, Human Rights and Genocide Education at Brookdale Community College. Cost to participate is $300 (individual) or $1,110 (foursome). Sponsorship opportunities are available. The event is co-chaired by Mike Yellin and Lloyd Stone. Non-playing volunteers are needed to help run the event. Details: Email [email protected] or the [email protected] or call Chhange at 732-224-1889.
• Manalapan MRC-CERT will accept donations of clothing and household items from 9-11 a.m. May 11 at Manalapan town hall, Route 522. The following items may be donated: all articles of clothing, garments and accessories; shoes; stuffed animals; linen – including towels, sheets, blankets and small rugs and mats; bicycles; small electric appliances; costumes, wigs and hats; and some small furniture. Details: www.facebook/manalapanmrc-cert
• Rutgers Master Gardeners of Monmouth County will host their Spring Garden Days Plant Sale from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 17 and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 18 (rain or shine) at the Rutgers Cooperative Extension Agriculture Building, 4000 Kozloski Road, Freehold Township. Cash or check only (no credit cards). There will be plants available for purchase, gardening presentations, garden tours, and a gardening Q&A with Master Gardeners. Details: 732-303-7614.
• Monmouth County will hold a paper shredding event from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 12 at Colts Neck Town Hall, 124 Cedar Drive, Colts Neck. County residents may bring up to 100 pounds of documents to be shredded. Details: See the recycling section of the county website at www.VisitMonmouth.com or call 732-683-8686, ext. 6721.
• 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
• 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]
Items for the Datebook may be sent to [email protected]. Please send items at least two weeks prior to a scheduled event.