• The American Red Cross will hold blood drives in the area on the following dates: Aug. 6, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Red Cross Central New Jersey, 1540 W. Park Ave., Tinton Falls; and Aug. 12, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Red Cross Central New Jersey, 1540 W. Park Ave., Tinton Falls. Schedule an appointment to give blood or platelets by using 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 Monmouth County Park System will present boat tours of the Manasquan Reservoir, Howell. Each 45-minute tour is narrated by a park system naturalist and includes opportunities to view local wildlife. The cost is $6 per adult and $4 per child, age 12 and under. Call to confirm schedule as tours are weather dependent and water level dependent. All boat tours leave from the Visitor Center. Life jackets are supplied. Tickets can be purchased on day of tour only. Details: www.MonmouthCountyParks.com or 732-842-4000.
• The Monmouth County Park System will present Historic Battery Lewis tours, Aug. 7, 14, 21 and 28 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Aug. 8, 15, 22 and 29 from 1-3 p.m. at Hartshorne Woods Park, Highlands (Rocky Point section). Tour the restored Historic Battery Lewis and learn about the history of this important former coastal defense site. This is a free event. Details: www.MonmouthCountyParks.com or 732-842-4000.
• The Monmouth County Park System will present Seining Along Sandy Hook Bay, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, Aug. 2-27 from 11 a.m. to noon at Bayshore Waterfront Park, Middletown. This is a hands-on nature program. Closed-toe shoes are required. Meet on the beach near the parking lot. Parents or guardians are required to stay with and supervise their children. No swimming during the event. This program is designed for individuals and families. Weather permitting. This is a free event. Details: www.MonmouthCountyParks.com or 732-842-4000.
• The Monmouth County Park System will present a smocking demonstration, Aug. 7 from 1-3 p.m. at Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel. View the lost art of smocking, a decorative embroidery or shirring made by gathering cloth in regularly spaced round tucks. This is a free event. Details: www.MonmouthCountyParks.com or 732-842-4000.
• The Monmouth County Park System will present Climb Time, Aug. 15 from noon to 3 p.m. at Freneau Woods Park, Aberdeen Township. Try the park system’s 25-foot-tall portable climbing wall. Climbers must be 42 inches tall or taller to climb. Open to ages 8 and up; under 18 with adult. This is a free event. Details: www.MonmouthCountyParks.com or 732-842-4000.
• The Monmouth County Park System will present the Casual Birder, Aug. 17 at 9 a.m.
at Hartshorne Woods Park, Middletown, meet in the Claypit Creek section parking lot; and Aug. 31 at 9 a.m. at the Dorbrook Recreation Area, Route 537, Colts Neck, meet in the soccer field parking lot. Join a park system naturalist for a laid-back morning bird walk and meander through the park for about 90 minutes. Open to ages 11 and up; under 18 with adult. This is a free event. Details: www.MonmouthCountyParks.com or 732-842-4000.
• The Monmouth County Park System will present a quilting demonstration, Aug. 21 from 1-3 p.m. at Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel. View a hand quilting demonstration. This is a free event. Details: www.MonmouthCountyParks.com or 732-842-4000.
• The Monmouth County Park System will present Accordion Melodies of the 1890s, Aug. 21 from 1-3 p.m. at Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel. Hear melodies of the 1890s played on the accordion during your visit. This is a free event. Details: www.MonmouthCountyParks.com or 732-842-4000.
• The Jewish Heritage Museum of Monmouth County will present a Virtual Summer Film Festival screening two films: “Here We Are” (Aug. 11-13) and “Thou Shalt Not Hate” (Aug. 25-27). Admission is $10 per film or $18 for both films. For more information or to make a reservation, contact the museum at 732-252-6990 or visit http://www.jhmomc.org
• Dove Hospice Services of New Jersey is seeking compassionate volunteers to provide
support to local hospice patients and their families. Hospice patient care volunteers visit with patients in their home, which can also be nursing facilities or assisted living facilities, at least once a week. Visits can be virtual and are during the day or early evening. Volunteers may also assist with administrative work in the hospice office. To sign up for a virtual training class, contact Deborah Adams at 732-405-3035 or email [email protected]
• New Jersey Blood Services, which provides blood for local patients, is looking for volunteers. Blood drive volunteers assist donors with registration and/or at the refreshment area. No medical background necessary. Volunteers should be outgoing to provide friendly customer service and be able to perform tasks as needed. Must have transportation. All training is provided. For additional information, call or text Sharon Zetts at 732-850-8906, Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. To apply online as a blood drive volunteer, visit https://www.nybc.org/support-us/volunteer-nybc/volunteer-application/
• Embroiderers’ Guild of America – Monmouth Chapter is dedicated to teaching and sharing the joys of needlework. The organization welcomes 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
Items for the Datebook may be sent to [email protected]. Please send items at least two weeks prior to a scheduled event.