• Vitalant, a nonprofit blood collection organization, will conduct a blood drive from 2-7 p.m. Nov. 12 at the Morganville First Aid Squad, 78 Tennent Road, Marlboro. Individuals who have recovered from COVID-19 are asked to donate blood plasma. Healthy individuals age 16 or older, who weigh at least 110 pounds, may donate blood; 16- and 17-year-olds must have proof of birth date and a signed consent form. Donors should eat a moderate meal prior to donating, and also bring identification featuring their signature. Last-minute changes to scheduling may occur. Call 201-251-3703 to confirm the blood drive. Details: www.vitalant.org
• The Freehold Elks Veterans Committee will host a Custom Car and Bike Show on Nov. 7 from noon to 4 p.m. at the lodge, 73 E. Main St., Freehold Borough. Admission is $15 and includes food, select beverages and DJ music. Guests will be able to cast a vote for their favorites. Admission to enter a car and bike is free. All are welcome to attend.
• The Manalapan-Englishtown Regional School District Board of Education will hold two regular action meetings in November, both at the Manalapan Englishtown Middle School, 155 Millhurst Road, Manalapan: 7:30 p.m. Nov. 10 and 7:30 p.m. Nov. 17. The meetings are open to the public. A mask must be worn by attendees. Social distancing protocols to be followed.
• The Manalapan Board of Health will host a free rabies immunization clinic for dogs and cats from 9-11:30 a.m. Nov. 7 in the Manalapan Recreation Center at the new expansion building by Field K and the spray park (use the western entrance on Route 522). Pre-registration is required by Oct. 26. To pre-register, visit http://register.communitypass.net/manalapan. Details: 732-446-8345.
• Beverly Yackel will explain how “Being a Census Taker Was Not Easy” during the Monmouth County Genealogy Society meeting at 2 p.m. Nov. 8. The public is welcome to view the meeting. Information about signing in to the event on gotomeeting will be available on the Monmouth County Genealogy Society website, njmcgs.org
• Monmouth County Park System will host a Yarn Bee from noon to 2:30 p.m. Nov. 7 at
Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel. Knit or crochet at your own pace. Farm staff will be on hand to assist those learning. Bring your own supplies, or borrow the park system’s supplies for the session. Open to ages 10 and up; under 18 with adult. The cost is $5 per person; cash or check only. Details: 732-842-4000.
• Monmouth County Park System will host a Crochet/Lacemaking Demonstration from 1-3 p.m. Nov. 7 at Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel. See Dorothy Gratton demonstrate the art of crochet and lacemaking as it was done in the Victorian era. Free. Details: 732-842-4000.
• Monmouth County Park System will host a Garden Walk from 10:30-11:30 a.m. Nov. 8 at Deep Cut Gardens, Middletown. Learn about the park system’s work to maintain this beautiful landscape and get ideas for a home garden. Free. Details: 732-842-4000.
• Monmouth County Park System will host Accordion Melodies of the 1890s from 1-3 p.m. Nov. 14 at Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel. Hear melodies of the 1890s played on the accordion. Free. Details: 732-842-4000.
• A Nature Lecture Series: Salamanders of Monmouth County will be presented by the Monmouth County Park System from 7-8 p.m. Nov. 19 at the Freneau Woods Park Visitor Center, Aberdeen Township. Free. Details: 732-842-4000.
• Monmouth County Park System wildlife rehabilitation presentation will be held from 2-3 p.m. Nov. 21 at the Freneau Woods Park Visitor Center, Aberdeen Township. Wildlife rehabilitator Melissa Jacobs will discuss what to do if you find orphaned or injured wildlife. Free. Details: 732-842-4000.
• Holmdel will hold a rabies vaccination clinic for dogs and cats from 8:30-10 a.m. Nov. 7 at the Community/Senior Center (next to the post office), 6 Crawfords Corner Road, Holmdel. The clinic is free to all Monmouth County residents. Pets must be on a leash or in a carrier. Park in the lot behind the building and enter through the back door. Social distancing guidelines will be in place.
• The Monmouth Museum, Lincroft, has announced two exhibitions which will take place during the 2020-21 holiday season. The 42nd annual Juried Art Exhibition and the Member Miniatures show will be in the Main and Nilson galleries, respectively, from Nov. 13 through Jan. 3. An opening reception will be held from 3-6 p.m. Nov. 14. Reserve a space ahead of time at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/125176537393. Details: 732-224-1988.
• Blood drives sponsored by the American Red Cross will be conducted on the following dates: Nov. 8, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Freehold Family YMCA, 470 East Freehold Road, Freehold Township; and Nov. 10, 2-7 p.m., at the Freehold Township Senior Center, 116 Jackson Mills Road, Freehold Township. All blood types are needed. Make an appointment to donate blood by downloading the Red Cross blood donor app; visiting RedCrossBlood.org; calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767); or enabling the blood donor skill on any Alexa Echo device.
• The 2020 Discussion Series will continue with “Laugh for the Health of It!” at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 17. This will be a Zoom presentation by Michele Granberg, a certified laughter leader and an expert in facilitating laughter therapy. Participants will discover the nature and benefits of group laughter, get a taste of laughter therapy, and have fun experiential exercises that will get and keep them laughing. The series is sponsored by Kathy Lo Bue, managing director, Glen Eagle Advisors, LLC. The series is free, non-sectarian and open to the community. Call 732-866-6660 for Zoom meeting registration information.
• The Monmouth Civic Chorus will present a virtual performance of “Joy to the World: From Our Homes to Yours” at 4 p.m. Dec. 20. This is a free event. Email [email protected] with the subject line “Joy to the World” to register. The virtual chorus of more than 60 voices will be joined by celebrated baritone Kenneth Wasser.
• Embroiderers’ Guild of America – Monmouth Chapter is dedicated to teaching and sharing the joys of needlework. The organization welcome stitchers of all levels. Evening stitchers will meet via Zoom on the first Monday of each month at 7 p.m. Day stitchers will meet via Zoom on the third Thursday of each month at 10 a.m. Details: Toni, 732-462-5540, or visit website:www.mcega.org
• The Monmouth County Library, in partnership with Literacy New Jersey, is offering free
English as a Second Language virtual classes and one-on-one tutoring through Literacy New Jersey Monmouth. The program is open to all persons 18 years of age and older. Details: Email Jhanna Even at jeven@literacynj/.org or call her at 732-702-1895.
• The Monmouth County Library is offering a weekly virtual bereavement meeting for all
those who have lost a loved one and are navigating the maze of emotions and trying to make decisions in a new way. The virtual meetings are led by Beth Stamp, a support facilitator, and provide an opportunity for people to share experiences, feelings and ideas.
Sessions are conducted on Webex and registration is possible on Eventkeeper in order to receive information on how to access the meetings, held Wednesdays at 6:45 p.m.
Details: Email [email protected]
• Monmouth County has scheduled paper shredding events to give county residents opportunities to dispose of old files and confidential documents safely. All shredding events will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the following locations: Nov. 28, Colts Neck Town Hall parking lot, 124 Cedar Drive. County residents may bring up to 100 pounds of documents to be shredded. The service is free. Details: www.visitmonmouth.com or 732-683-8686, ext. 8967.
• New Jersey Blood Services, which provides blood for local patients, is looking for volunteers whose tasks will include assisting donors with registration and/or at the refreshment area. No medical background necessary. Must have transportation. All training is provided. Details: Call or text Sharon Zetts at 732-850-8906, Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Residents struggling with substance use issues may call 1-844-ReachNJ to speak with counselors ready to offer assistance 24 hours a day, seven days a week. ReachNJ is a free, confidential hotline that provides individuals with concerns about their own or a family member’s substance use immediate help and treatment referrals. The help line is always answered by a live specialist.
• CentraState Medical Center, Freehold Township, offers a Movement Disorder Program that provides specialized treatment to patients with Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, tics, tremors, ataxia, dystonia and other similar syndromes. The program is held in the Star and Barry Tobias Ambulatory Campus. To request a consultation to help manage Parkinson’s disease or other movement disorders, call 732-637-6316 or email [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. 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 send items at least two weeks prior to a scheduled event.