• 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.
• The Father Cetkowski Council, Knights of Columbus (Howell-Jackson), will host the annual basketball free throw contest. All boys and girls ages 9 through 14 are invited to participate in the free event on Jan. 25 in the Mother Seton Academy gym, Route 9, Howell. Registration begins at 2 p.m. and the competition will begin at 2:15 p.m. Winners advance to district competition. All local contestants will be recognized for their participation. Participants must furnish proof of age (i.e., birth certificate) and written parental consent. For an entry form, contact Brian Curran at 908-415-4720.
• The Monmouth County Park System is looking to hire lifeguards, camp counselors, park and golf course maintenance workers, swim instructors and more for the summer. A job fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 11 at the Fort Monmouth Recreation Center, 2566 Guam Lane, Tinton Falls. Prospective employees must be at least 16 years old and a county resident. A full listing of summer job openings can be found at www.MonmouthCountyParks.com. Details: 732-842-4000, ext. 4339.
• Supporters of LADACIN Network will participate in the 12th annual LADACIN Plunge in Manasquan on Jan. 18 to support LADACIN’s educational, therapeutic, social, residential and support services for more than 3,500 infants, children and adults with complex physical and developmental disabilities or delays living in Monmouth and Ocean counties. On-site registration will begin at Leggett’s Sand Bard & Restaurant at 10:30 a.m. At 12:30 p.m., participants will hit the beach. Details: www.ladacin.org and click on Events, or contact Cathy Claps at 732-493-5900, ext. 263.
• The Shrewsbury Chorale is inviting individuals of high school age and up who love choral music to consider joining the chorale. Open rehearsals are scheduled for 7-9:30 p.m. Jan. 14, 21 and 28 at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Monmouth County, 1475 W. Front St. Lincroft. Singers of all voice parts are invited to attend a rehearsal. The chorale is preparing for its April and June concerts. The chorale rehearses weekly on Tuesday evenings. Scores will be provided and all events are free. Some music reading ability is desirable. Call 908-309-0602 to audition or visit www.shrewsburychorale.org
• There will be a meeting of the Monmouth Ski Club at 8 p.m. Jan. 8 at the Wild Rover, 153 Shrewsbury Ave., Red Bank. New members are welcome. Come and learn about incentives for new members. The club meets on the first Wednesday of every month (Feb. 5, March 4). Off the slopes throughout the year, club members enjoy kayaking, fishing, biking, hiking and golfing, and indoor fun of quilting, reading groups and theme parties. Details: www.monmouthskiclub.com
• Chris Tracy, a professional genealogist, will speak at the Jan. 12 meeting of the
Monmouth County Genealogy Society at the Community Center, 72 Broad St., Eatontown. All are welcome to attend. There will be refreshments and networking at 1:30 p.m., followed by the business meeting and speaker at 2 p.m. Admission is free. Details: 732-747-0090.
• Join a Monmouth County Park System naturalist for The Casual Birder at 9 a.m. Jan. 9 at the Manasquan Reservoir, Howell, meet in the Environmental Center parking lot. Take a laid back 90-minute morning bird walk; no experience identifying birds is required. The walk will take place in light rain or snow. This is a free program. Details: 732-842-4000.
• Parlor Games for Wintry Weather will be presented from noon to 2:30 p.m. Jan. 25 at Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel. Play forgotten 1890s games like Halma and Basilinda, or old-time favorites like Backgammon, Checkers and Reversi. Open to ages 6 and up. This is a free program. Details: 732-842-4000.
• New Jersey Blood Services will conduct blood drives at the Howell Donor Center, 4068 Route 9 South, on the following dates: Jan. 8, 7:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.; Jan. 9, 2-9 p.m.; Jan. 14, 1-8 p.m.; and Jan. 15, 7:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. To donate blood or for information about how to organize a blood drive, call 1-800-933-2566.
• The Jackson Library will present the following events in January:
• “Wellness Initiative for Senior Education,” 11:30 a.m. Jan. 10, 17, 24, 31 and Feb. 7. The six-week, evidence-based substance abuse prevention and wellness program will cover topics from stress management and healthy living to medication management and prescription drug abuse. Free lunch will be provided. Registrants agree to attend all six sessions.
• “Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service,” Jan. 20 through Jan. 25. Crochet or knit at home, and drop off your items to the Circulation Department during normal branch hours. All sizes of hats, blankets, fingerless gloves, mittens and leg warmers will be accepted. Items will be donated to local charities. Items will not be accepted before Jan. 20 or after Jan. 25.
• “In Remembrance of Martin,” 2:30 p.m. Jan. 20. This documentary features personal comments from family members, friends and advisers of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and also includes portions of his “I Have A Dream” speech. The film is available through the Library’s Kanopy digital service.
• “The Light of Hope (La Ilum D’Elna),” 2 p.m. Jan. 27. The film will be screened in honor of International Holocaust Remembrance Day. It is based on the true story of Elisabeth Eidenbenz and her female co-workers, who saved the lives of almost 600 infants in World War II. Courtesy of the Library’s Kanopy digital service.
• “Send Valentine’s Greetings to a Child in the Hospital,” 10 a.m. Jan. 29. All are welcome to drop in and design a card for a child in the hospital. Cards will be sent to Cards for Hospitalized Kids, an internationally recognized charitable organization. Registration is not required.
• “Souper Bowl: Great Soups and Appetizers for Game Day,” 3 p.m. Jan. 31. Learn how to make great soups and appetizers with Jennifer Klein, a registered dietitian with Perlmutter Family ShopRite.
Registration is required for these free events, unless otherwise noted. To register, call 732-928-4400.
• “Fine Feathered Friends: Birds as Mainstay and Muse” is open at the New Jersey State Museum, Trenton. The exhibition brings the fun of bird watching indoors through nearly 200 rarely seen artifacts and specimens exploring birds as an ecological mainstay and their role as a design-inspiring force, or muse, for New Jersey artisans. The exhibition will be on view through Sept. 13. Museum hours are 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday; closed on Mondays and state holidays. Details: www.statemuseum.nj.gov
• 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.