• The Jackson Library, 2 Jackson Drive, Jackson, is seeking yarn donations. The Knit-Chat-Chain volunteers make items with yarn to donate to individuals in need. Donations of four-ply worsted yarn may be dropped off at the Circulation Desk during the library’s hours of operation. Details: 732-928-4400.
• Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church, 124 East Pleasant Grove Road, Jackson, will host a Christmas Eve service at 3 p.m. Dec. 24. All are welcome to attend and to bring family members and friends. Details: Email Denise Tiedemann, pastor, at [email protected]
• Jackson will host its annual Hanukkah menorah lighting ceremony from 4:30-6 p.m. Dec. 23 at the Jackson municipal building, 95 Veterans Highway, Jackson. All community members are invited to attend. The event is sponsored by Bat Shalom Hadassah and Chabad. There will be music and refreshments inside, before the menorah lighting outside.
• A meeting of the Monmouth County Retired Educators Association will be held at 11 a.m. Dec. 10 at the Colts Neck Inn, 191 Route 537, Colts Neck. Members are asked to bring non-perishable donations for the food bank and an unwrapped new toy, book or gift card for Bridges At The Shore. New members are always welcome. For luncheon reservations, contact Sue at 732 995-7754 or email [email protected] before Nov. 29.
• Travis Zajac of the New Jersey Devils will make an appearance at The Event Center @iPA, Freehold Township, on Jan. 5 for an exclusive Q&A and meet and greet with fans. Zajac was selected by the Devils in 2004 as the 20th overall pick and has been with New Jersey his entire career. Doors will open at noon and the event will start at 1 p.m. VIP, photo opportunity and general admission tickets are available for purchase at www.iPlayAmerica.com/TravisZajac
• Vendors are still being sought for the Jackson Liberty High School Lion Band’s seventh annual vendor and craft fair to be held at the high school, 125 North Hope Chapel Road, Jackson, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 8. The event will feature vendors, free admission, free parking, a mega 50/50 and refreshments. Details: [email protected]
• Jackson Rotary Club will sponsor a bus trip to the Tropicana Casino, Atlantic City, on Dec. 2 for the Christmas show. Cost of the trip is $65 and includes bus transportation, show ticket, buffet, $15 in slot play and gratuity for the bus driver. The bus will leave Jackson at 10:30 a.m. and return at 7:30 p.m. Proceeds from the trip will go to Rotary Club charities. Space is limited. Contact Tom Barchie at 732-207-4029 or 732-849-6309 for reservations.
• The Jackson Library will host several business-related programs presented in partnership with SCORE of Ocean County. “How to Launch a Successful Small Business,” 6:30 p.m. Dec. 4, presented by Glenn Harris. Registration is required for these free programs. To register, call 732-928-4400.
• “Big Brother” stars Tommy Bracco and Christie Murphy of Season 21 will visit The Event Center at iPlay America, Freehold Township, on Dec. 27 to greet fans and answer questions. The event is open to all ages. Tickets are on sale now and include general admission, VIP and a Super VIP 21+ pre-show party. Door times will vary and all lines will form outside. The event will start at 8 p.m. Details: www.iPlayAmerica.com/BigBrother
• The Jackson Library, 2 Jackson Drive, Jackson, will present the following events: “Holiday Trimming Centerpieces,” 2 p.m. Dec. 9. Tracy from Whiting Flower Shoppe will help attendees create their own holiday flower arrangement. Registration is required for these events unless otherwise noted. To register, call the branch at 732-928-4400.
• The Friends of the Howell Municipal Alliance meets on the first Monday of each quarter at 7 p.m. at the Echo Lake Pavilion, Howell. Attendees may share their ideas and perspective in an informal environment to enrich the community’s commitment to substance abuse prevention. No membership is necessary. Details: 732-938-4500, ext. 4012.
• 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.
• The New Jersey State Museum, Trenton, is presenting “Preserving the Pinelands: Albert Horner’s Portraits of a National Treasure.” 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
Items for the Datebook may be sent to [email protected]. Please submit items at least two weeks prior to a scheduled event.