• iPlay America, Freehold Township, will host an American Red Cross blood drive from 2-7 p.m. Oct. 24. The event will be sponsored by the Sunrise Optimist Club of Freehold. Appointments to donate are preferred, however, walk-ins are welcome. Individuals interested in donating blood may call Maureen at 732-616-2193 or email [email protected]
• The Jewish Home for Rehabilitation and Nursing, 1151 W. Main St. (Route 537), Freehold Township, invites the community to a free Sukkot carnival from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 18. There will be fun activities for all and kosher refreshments. Tours of the building will be available. Details: 732-202-1000.
• Colts Neck Volunteer Fire Company No. 2 will present a live professional wrestling fundraiser featuring Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake on Oct. 26 (doors at 6:30 p.m., bell at 7:30 p.m.) at the Bucks Mill Recreation Center, Bucks Mill Road (off Route 537), Colts Neck. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Details: 732-526-7337.
• A Classic Model Toy and Train Expo will be held at Christian Brothers Academy, Lincroft, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 27. There will be operating layouts, spare parts for vintage and newer train models, a Lionel Tech representative available for repairs and more. Tickets are $7 for adults. Children under 10 are free with an adult and/or parent. Details: 201-207-2522 or 732-845-5966.
• The New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness and the Freehold Township Police Department will sponsor an active shooter emergency action development workshop on Oct. 31 at iPlay America, Freehold Township. There is no cost to attend the course. Participants will gain a better understanding of why certain information needs to be in an emergency action plan. The event is open to representatives of community organizations. Space is limited and preregistration is required. Registration is available at [email protected]. Details: Lt. Daniel Pasquinucci, 732-294-2117.
• A free program, “Recognizing and Preventing Bullying” featuring Stuart Green, associate director of Overlook Family Medicine Residency Program, Summit, will be held at Freehold Elks Lodge No. 1454, 73 E. Main St., Freehold Borough, at 7 p.m. Oct. 28. Green will address what bullying is, steps schools and parents can take to prevent bullying, and what parents should expect from schools when bullying occurs. The program, sponsored by the Freehold Township Democratic Club, is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be available. RSVP is not required, but would be appreciated by contacting Kim Luxoj at 732-241-3145.
• The National Council of Jewish Women, Central Jersey Section, will hold its annual membership appreciation luncheon at Ruocco’s, Manalapan, from noon to 3 p.m. Oct. 30. Cost is $23 per person and luncheon will feature a range of menu choices, including salad and dessert. Attendees will become acquainted with the organization, its history and its mission which resonates in today’s environment. To make a reservation, call Sylvia Schechter, 732-972-7726.
• The League of Women Voters of Monmouth County will present a candidates forum featuring candidates for Monmouth County freeholder and sheriff at 6:45 p.m. Oct. 23 at the Monmouth County Library Headquarters, 125 Symmes Drive, Manalapan. Meet the candidates and hear discussion of the issues. Light refreshments will be served. Details: www.lwvnj.org
• The Deep Cut Orchid Society will hold its annual orchid show and sale from Feb. 6-9 in Dearborn Market’s 11,000-square-foot greenhouse, 2170 Route 35 South, Holmdel. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sunday. Visitors will view an array of orchids vying for American Orchid Society ribbons and trophies. There will be free guided tours, and educational and orchid-themed workshops for enthusiasts of all levels. Orchid experts will be on hand to answer questions. Admission and parking are free. Dearborn Market offers fresh food and deli selections for purchase.
• Freehold Elks Lodge No. 1454, 73 E. Main St., Freehold Borough, will serve their “All You Can Eat, Made to Order Breakfast” from 9 a.m. to noon Oct. 20 (last seating is 11:30 a.m.) Cost is $9 for adults and $5 for children under 12. All are welcome to attend.
• New Jersey Blood Services will conduct blood drives which are open to the public: Oct. 27, 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Temple Shaari Emeth, 400 Craig Road, Manalapan. To donate blood, call 1-800-933-2566 or visit nybloodcenter.org
• The Monmouth County Park System is hosting “Hula: Sacred Dance of Hawaii” from 6-7 p.m. on Mondays, Oct. 28 through Dec. 2, at the Dorbrook Recreation Area Activity Center, Route 537, Colts Neck. The class will be taught by a native Hawaiian instructor. The cost is $80 per person and pre-registration required. To register, call 732-842-4000, ext. 1.
• A fall turkey supper will be held at the First Presbyterian Church of Englishtown, 50 Main St., Englishtown. All are welcome to attend on Nov. 2 for a buffet style turkey supper. There will be one seating at 5 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults. Children (5-12) are $5. Children under 5 are free. For tickets, call 908-385-0203.
• 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: Nov. 7 and Dec. 5. Details: 732-462-5470.
• The Monmouth County Park System will sponsor The Casual Birder on Oct. 17 at 9 a.m. at Dorbrook Recreation Area, Route 537, Colts Neck. Meet in the soccer field parking area; and on Oct. 31 at 9 a.m. at the Manasquan Reservoir, Howell. Meet in the Environmental Center parking lot. Join a naturalist for a laid-back morning bird walk. Open to ages 8 and up; under 16 with adult. This is a free event. Details: 732-842-4000.
• The Jewish Heritage Museum of Monmouth County presents “Louis Bamberger and the Rise of the Jewish Community in Newark,” an illustrated talk by Linda B. Forgosh, executive director of the Jewish Historical Society of New Jersey, at 1 p.m. Oct. 23 at the Jewish Community Center of Jersey Shore, 100 Grant Ave., Deal. Admission is $4 for museum members and $6 for non-members. To make a paid reservation (non-refundable), call 732-252-6990.
• The 2019 Discussion Series will continue with “Positive Parenting (Grand Parenting) Strategies” from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Oct. 28 at the Co-Cathedral of St. Robert Bellarmine, 61 Georgia Road, Freehold Township. Shari Carpman, a licensed professional counselor and registered play therapist, will be the presenter. The series is sponsored by Kathy Lo Bue, managing director, Glen Eagle Advisors. The series is free, non-sectarian and open to the community. RSVP to 732-866-6660.
• The Jewish Heritage Museum of Monmouth County, 310 Mount’s Corner Drive, Freehold Township, will present a talk by Susan Addelston, “The Elite Eight Jewish Supreme Court Justices,” at 2 p.m. Oct. 27. Admission is $8 for museum members and $10 for non-members. To make a paid reservation (non-refundable), call 732-252-6990, or visit www.jhmomc.org
• The Manalapan-Englishtown Regional School District Board of Education will hold the following meetings: Oct. 29, 7:30 p.m., 54 Main St. Englishtown. Regular business will be conducted. The meetings are open to the public. Details: 732-786-2500.
• The Monmouth County Park System will present Thompson Park Day from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 20 at Thompson Park, Route 520, Lincroft. There will be pumpkin painting, wagon rides, children’s races, entertainment and more. Some activities have a fee. Admission and parking are free. Details: 732-842-4000.
• The Monmouth County Park System will present mill demonstrations on Oct. 19, 20, 26 and 27 from 1-4 p.m. at Historic Walnford, Walnford Road, Upper Freehold Township. See a 19th century gristmill in action. This is a free event. Details: 732;842-4000.
• The Monmouth County Park System will present “Here Lies . . . Historical Headstone Carving” from 1-4 p.m. Oct. 26-27 at Historic Walnford, Walnford Road, Upper Freehold Township. Watch a craftsman carve a traditional slate headstone while sharing some early American social history about customs for passing from this life to the next. This is a free event. Details: 732-842-4000.
• Pink Ribbons of Central New Jersey will host the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Walk on Oct. 20 at the Renaissance at Manalapan adult community, 24 Derry Meeting Drive. Check-in starts at 8:45 a.m. and the walk starts at 10 a.m. Minimum donation to register for the walk is $25. Breakfast follows the walk for paid registrants only. Details: Helene Cohen, 732-577-0303.
• A craft fair will be held at the Freehold Township Senior Center, 116 Jackson Mills Road, Freehold Township, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 9. Vendor tables are available ($15 for a 6-foot table). A variety of craft and holiday items will be available for purchase. Details: 732-294-2029.
• 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. Day stitchers will meet from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 17 at the Colts Neck Community Church, 25 Merchant Way, Colts Neck. Details: Toni, 732-462-5540, or www.mcega.org
• Meet a wolfdog in person when the Monmouth County Park System hosts “Wolves in Freneau Woods” from 7-8 p.m. Oct. 17 at the Freneau Woods Park Visitor Center, Aberdeen Township. There will be wolfdogs from Howling Woods sanctuary. This program is open to all ages; those under 18 with adult. The cost is $12.50 per person. Pre-registration is required. To register, call 732-842-4000.
• The Lakewood Historical Society and the Lakewood Heritage Commission are inviting the public to “An Afternoon with Boxing Icon Joe Louis” presented by boxing historian Eamo Clyne from Dublin, Ireland, at the Lakewood Historical Museum, Pine Park, at 2 p.m. Oct. 27. During World War II, Joe Louis lived and trained in Lakewood. He competed from 1934-51 and was the world heavyweight champion from 1937-49. Tickets are $5 and include light refreshments. For tickets, contact Sheila Hager at 848-240-5184 or [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.
• The New Jersey State Museum, Trenton, will present “Preserving the Pinelands: Albert Horner’s Portraits of a National Treasure,” opening Oct. 12. The exhibition features images by photographer Albert Horner which capture the quiet beauty and intimate landscapes of New Jersey’s Pinelands National Reserve. A number of artifacts and scientific specimens from the museum’s collections help tell some of the stories of the land, animals, people and industries that make this unique area a state and national treasure. “Preserving the Pinelands” will be on view through June 28, 2020. Details: www.statemuseum.nj.gov
• The Jewish Home for Rehabilitation and Nursing, 1151 W. Main St. (in the Pond View Professional Park), Freehold Township, hosts 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. Kosher refreshments served. Details: Jolie, 732-202-1000 or email [email protected]
• The New Jersey State Museum, 205 W. State St., Trenton, is presenting “Many Inspired Steps” to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing. Currently on view through Nov. 10, the exhibition uses a variety of objects and images to examine the space race between the United States and the Soviet Union, the pioneers of space travel and other state connections to the landing and the space program. Admission is free; donations requested. Details: 609-292-5420 or visit statemuseumnj.gov
• “New Jersey Baseball: From the Cradle to the Major Leagues” is on exhibit at the Morven Museum and Garden, Princeton, until Oct. 27. The exhibition tells the story of New Jersey’s role in the history of early organized baseball through artifacts, text, images and other visuals. There are interactives that offer educational opportunities, as well as demonstrations with hands-on experiences. Details: morven.org
Items for the Datebook may be sent to [email protected]. Please send items at least two weeks prior to a scheduled event.