• New Jersey Blood Services, a division of New York Blood Center, is conducting blood drives which are open to the public. The following drives are scheduled: Nov. 18, Middletown Elks, 251 Church St., Belford, 1-7 p.m.; Nov. 22, North Centerville Volunteer Fire Co. No. 1, 372 Middle Road, Hazlet, 1-7 p.m.; Nov. 30, Lincroft Bible Church, 790 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft, 1-7 p.m. To donate blood or for information about how to organize a blood drive, call 1-800-933-2566 or visit www.nybloodcenter.org
• From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 13, the Monmouth County Park System will host its fall craft show at the Fort Monmouth Recreation Center, Tinton Falls. This seasonal craft show features the work of local artists and crafters. Items include: doll clothes, holiday ornaments and decorations, jewelry, sea glass art, needlework, decoupaged plates, pottery, and more. Details: www.MonmouthCountyParks.com or 732-842-4000. For persons with hearing impairment, the park system TTY/TDD number is 711.
• Monmouth County Park System will present an Awesome Autumn Amble on Nov. 15 from 10-11:30 a.m. at Freneau Woods Park, Aberdeen Township, meet in the Visitor Center parking area. Explore the trails with a park system naturalist and discuss plant and animal phenomenon. Open to all ages; under 18 with adult. Free. Details: www.MonmouthCountyParks.com or 732-842-4000.
• Monmouth County Park System will present a fall craft show on Nov. 13 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Fort Monmouth Recreation Center, Tinton Falls. Admission and parking are free. Details: www.MonmouthCountyParks.com or 732-842-4000.
• Monmouth County Park System will present a cookstove demonstration on Nov. 13 and Nov. 27 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel. Discover how recipes, cooking techniques and kitchens have changed since the 1890s. Free. Details: www.MonmouthCountyParks.com or 732-842-4000.
• Monmouth County Park System will present a Nature Lecture Series: Woodpeckers of Monmouth County on Nov. 18 from 7-8 p.m. at the Freneau Woods Park Visitor Center, Aberdeen Township. Learn about these colorful birds and their role in helping to control insect pests during a talk by a park system naturalist. Free. Details: www.MonmouthCountyParks.com or 732-842-4000.
• Monmouth County Park System will present a 19th Century Woodworking Demonstration on Nov. 20 from noon to 3 p.m. at Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel.
See how a carpenter uses 19th century woodworking and carving tools during this demonstration. Free. Details: www.MonmouthCountyParks.com or 732-842-4000.
• Monmouth County Park System will present Accordion Melodies of the 1890s on Nov. 20 from 1-3 p.m. at Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel. Hear melodies of the 1890s played on the accordion. Free. Details: www.MonmouthCountyParks.com or 732-842-4000.
• Congregation B’nai Israel, Rumson, will host its holiday boutique in person in 2021 from 1-7 p.m. Nov. 17 in an indoor-outdoor setup. Shop from categories including accessories, women’s, children’s, home, toys and more. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination will be required to enter for all age 12 and older, and masks are required for all individuals. For current information, vendor features, contests and more, find the synagogue on Instagram or on its Facebook event page #shopandbuy4CBI
• New Jersey Blood Services will conduct blood drives which are open to the public. The following blood drives are scheduled: Nov. 11, Knights of Columbus, 200 Fair Haven Road, Fair Haven, 1-7 p.m. To donate blood or for information on how to organize a blood drive, call 1-800-933-2566. Details: www.nybloodcenter.org
• The 2021 Discussion Series will continue with “Can You Use A Little More Joy!” via a Zoom webinar at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 16. The presenter will be Janet Kester, an Osher Lifelong Learning Institute for seniors facilitator at the University of Colorado. She will discuss the value of learning new things in order to maintain a novel outlook on life. 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 the registration link.
• Morganville United Methodist Church, 215 Conover Road, Marlboro, will open its thrift shop on Saturdays in October and November from 9 a.m. to noon. The thrift shop has new and nearly new items of clothing, housewares, home decor, toys, CDs, DVDs, books and more; vintage and collectible items. All are welcome to visit the thrift shop.
• 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.