• 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.
• Barnes & Noble, Route 9, Freehold, will hold a book discussion/signing event for “The Family Guide to the Law of Attraction” by Mary Petto from noon to 3 p.m. Nov. 30. Meet the author and learn what the Law of Attraction is all about: “Everyone has the power to magically get what they want, transform any situation into one that suits them, manifest experiences they desire and, most importantly, live a life in which everything just flows.” Cupcakes will be served while supplies last.
• Christmas concerts will be presented at DeBows United Methodist Church, 509 Monmouth Road (Route 537), Jackson, during Advent. The concerts are free and all are welcome to attend. Concert dates are: Dec. 8 at 3 p.m., “Christmas Here and Now,” arranged by Peter Jay and featuring Celtic recording artist Fiona Tyndall. Any donations made during this event will be given to Operation Christmas Child; and Dec. 15 at 2 p.m., “The Season of the Nativity,” performed by the Libby Prison Minstrels. Any donations received will benefit the ministries of DeBows UMC. Details: www.debowsumc.org
• Stockings Hung with Care will take place from 1-4 p.m. Dec. 7-8 at Historic Walnford, Walnford Road, Upper Freehold Township. Decorate and “sew” a paper stocking to take home while learning about holiday traditions. Open to age 5 and up; under 18 with adult. This is a free event. Details: 732-842-4000.
• 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
• Millstone Township will hold a holiday lighting ceremony from 6-8 p.m. Dec. 6 at the Millstone Township firehouse, Stagecoach Road. All are welcome to attend. There will be baked goods and refreshments, holiday crafts and a performance by the Millstone Township Middle School chorus. Santa Claus will be on hand for pictures. The tree lighting will take place outside. Details: 732-917-2954.
• Millstone Township Recreation is conducting a Toys For Tots drive now through Dec. 6. Drop-off location is the Millstone Township municipal building, 470 Stagecoach Road, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. To volunteer or for additional information, call 732-917-2954 or visit www.millstonerec.org
• “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 Heart of New Jersey Chorus will present “Silver Bells” with special guests The Trentones at 2 p.m. Dec. 7 (snow date, Dec. 8) at the Millstone Township Primary School, 18 Schoolhouse Road, Millstone Township. Doors open at 1 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Tickets for seniors and students are $12. Details: 732-474-8529 or email [email protected]
• 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
• 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.
Items for the Datebook may be sent to [email protected]. Please submit items at least two weeks prior to a scheduled event.