- Michael Strengari, staff horticulturist at Grounds for Sculpture, Hamilton Township, will be the featured speaker at the May 12 meeting of the Allentown Garden Club. Strengari is an avid naturalist and his talk will focus on the living art and garden interest that is not fully described by the word “Grounds” in Grounds for Sculpture. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. at the Allentown Methodist Church, Church Street, and all are welcome to attend. Details: www.AllentownGardenClub.org
- A multi-family community yard sale will be held at Jensen’s Deep Run community center on April 23 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. (rain or shine). The public is welcome to attend. The entrance to Jensen’s Deep Run is on Route 537, just east of the Route 537 and Route 539 intersection. After entering Jensen’s Deep Run, proceed to stop sign, community center is on the right, 20 Longview Trail, Cream Ridge (Plumsted Township).
- Millstone Elks Lodge No. 2613, 22 Burnt Tavern Road, Millstone Township, will run a bus trip to see the New York Mets play the Philadelphia Phillies in Philadelphia on July 15 at 7:05 p.m. Cost is $60 per person and includes bus, game ticket and refreshments on the bus. Bus will leave at 4 p.m. from the Elks lodge. For tickets, call Tom, 732-904-8366. The Elks Lodge has space available for daytime/evening meetings. Details: 609-259-8911.
•The Monmouth County Audubon Society will present a screening of the nature film “The Messenger” at 8 p.m. May 11 at the Knights of Columbus hall, 200 Fair Haven Road, Fair Haven. The public is welcome and admission is free. “The Messenger” is about what birds have to tell people about the state of the Earth and people’s shared future. Seating is limited. Details: http://www.monmouthaudubon.org
• The Spirit of the Jerseys State History Fair will be take place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 14 (rain or shine) at Monmouth Battlefield State Park, Route 33, Manalapan. The event is a historical festival for all ages. Five centuries of New Jersey’s history will be represented by exhibitors from all 21 New Jersey counties, plus Maryland, New York and Pennsylvania. Activities include 19th century baseball, plowing demonstrations, Lenape foodways, antique cars and historical figures from New Jersey’s past. There is a $10 parking fee. Details: www.njhistoryfair.org or call 732 462-9616.
• Center Players will hold open auditions for all roles in a production of Agatha Christie’s “And Then There Were None.” Needed are eight men and three women, ages 25 to 70. Auditions at Center Playhouse, 35, South St., Freehold, are May 1, 7-9 p.m. and May 2, 7:30-9 p.m. Must be able to hold some variety of English accent. Actors will read something of their own or from a provided script. Rehearsals start in mid-May, three nights a week. Performance dates are July 15 through Aug. 14. Details: www.centerplayers.org
• “Genealogy: It’s Not a Tree or a Chart, It’s a Story” will be the topic of the May 15 meeting of the Monmouth County Genealogy Society. Author and genealogist Maureen Wlodaczyk will explain how to breathe life into a family tree. The presentation will be at 1:30 p.m. at the Community Center, 72 Broad Street, Eatontown, and is free of charge. All are welcome to attend.
• The Monmouth County Park System will host Walnford Day on May 15 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Historic Walnford, Walnford Road, Upper Freehold Township. This family friendly event features hands-on activities, old-fashioned games, exhibits and wagon rides. Ongoing demonstrations include spinning, woodworking, blacksmithing and milling. Visitors will also have the opportunity to tour the house and hear live harpsichord music. Admission and parking are free. Details: 732-842-4000.
• The Veterans Community Alliance of New Jersey will sponsor “Fishing For Heroes” on the Royal Miss Belmar from 4:30-8:30 p.m. May 21. Attendees must be at the marina by 3:30 p.m. The cost is $105 per person and includes fishing rods, bait and food. There will be a Biggest Fish tournament and a 50/50 raffle. Details: 917-747-4312.
• The Jewish Heritage Museum of Monmouth County and Jewish Family and Children Services will co-sponsor a trip to the National Museum of American Jewish History in Philadelphia on May 24. The cost is $45 per person and includes round-trip bus transportation, docent-led small tours at the museum and a kosher boxed lunch. To make a reservation, call Marion Riback at 732-774-6886, ext. 43.
• The Villagers of Allentown will meet at 10 a.m. April 27 at the Allentown First Aid Squad, Waker Avenue. The program “Maple Syrup Time” will be presented by Irene Sargeant. New members are welcome. Details: 609-758-3711.
• Vendors are being sought for an Italian festival to be held from June 29 through July 2, 6-11 p.m., at Freehold Raceway, Freehold. The event is sponsored by the Italian American Association of Monmouth County. There will be rides, games, entertainment, crafters and food at the festibal. Details: Cheryl Scuorzo, 732-536-5832.
• Knights of Pythias, Grand Lodge Domain of New Jersey, invites men of all ages and from all communities to learn about the organization at a complimentary buffet breakfast and orientation to be held at 10 a.m. May 15 at the Monroe Township Senior Center, 12 Halsey Reed Road, Monroe Township. Guests will learn about the charitable work provided by the Knights and the social activities the group offers. Reservations are required. Details: 609-851-0914 or email al1425@msn.com
• The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance meets every Sunday from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Freehold Community Wellness Center, 17 Bannard St., Freehold. Details: 908-433-1993 or 732-367-7450.
• The Essential Tremor Support Group meets from 7-9 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month (May 5) at the Jack Aaronson Conference Center in the Star and Barry Tobias Ambulatory Campus, 901 W. Main St., Freehold Township. Details: 732-462-8304, after 10 a.m.
Items for the Datebook may be sent via email to gmntnews@gmnews.com. Please submit items at least two weeks prior to a scheduled event.
