• The American Legion, 2 Meadowbrook Lane, New Egypt, will present an evening of comedy with Joey Vincent on Nov. 12. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the show will begin at 7 p.m. Tickets: $30 per person (includes dinner). Tickets will be available until Nov. 5. Details: Cathe, 732-255-1713.
• Apple Hill Academy children’s learning center in Howell will host a grand opening event at 598 W. Aldrich Road from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 22. Tour the learning center, meet teachers and staff, and enjoy family activities. In honor of the grand opening, the owners will make a donation to Daniela’s Wish, which makes the wishes of children dealing with a tragedy or an illness come true.
• A blood drive will be held from 3:30-8:30 p.m. Nov. 2 at the Aldrich School, 615 Aldrich Road, Howell. The blood drive is organized by Patrice Riddle McDow and honors pediatric cancer warriors who are fighting to defeat their disease.
• Meet local poet Richard Morgan as he presents his fifth published book of poetry along with watercolors by his wife, Pat Morgan, at the Jackson Library at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 7. The free program is for adults. Registration is required. Details: 732-928-4400.
• Brookdale Community College’s 2016-17 Visiting Artist Series returns on Nov. 3 with a free presentation by noted metalsmith and jewelry artist Frederick Marshall at noon in the college’s Center for Visual Arts (CVA) Gallery, Lincroft. Marshall will show his work and discuss the artistic process. The presentation is free and open to all. Attendees may bring lunch. Park in lots 1 and 2. Details: 732-224-2520
• The Jackson Library will host a job fair open to people of all ages at 6 p.m. Nov. 9. Explore employment opportunities. Registration is required for this free program. Details: 732-928-4400.
• The Freehold Food Fest to benefit Camp Quality New Jersey, a nonprofit organization providing free sleep-away camping experiences for children with cancer, will be held from noon to 5 p.m. Nov. 5 in the parking lot of iPlay America, 110 Schanck Road, Freehold Township. Family fun, food trucks, music, special guests, a beer garden and more. Details: www.freeholdfoodfest.com
• A knitting group meets on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month (Oct. 25) at Sabbath House, 8 Front St., New Egypt. Members are knitting and crocheting scarves for the Seaman’s Church Institute in Newark. Patterns, yarn and help is available.
• The Jackson Rotary Club will sponsor a trip to the Brenda Lee Christmas Show at Caesar’s, Atlantic City, on Dec. 1. Cost of $95 includes show ticket, lunch buffet, $25 in slot play, bus transportation, beverages on the bus and gratuity for the driver. Bus leaves Jackson at 10:30 a.m. and returns at 7:30 p.m. Proceeds support Rotary Club charities. Reserve space now by calling Tom Barchie at 732-207-4029 or 732-849-6309.
• From now through Nov. 27, Girl Scouts in Monmouth and Ocean counties will sell nuts, candy, magazines and photo keepsake books. Customers may go online to buy any product sold nationwide during the fall product sale even if it is not available on the local order sheet. Customers should ask a Girl Scout for a link to her personal online store. Details: www.jerseyshoregirlscouts.com
• New Egypt Elks Lodge 2457, 105 Lakewood Road, New Egypt, will host an Oktoberfest celebration from noon to 5 p.m. Oct. 22. All are welcome to attend. Tickets are $65 and each ticket admits two adults (must be 21). The event will feature traditional Oktoberfest food and refreshments. For tickets, call 609-758-5440.
• The Plumsted library will host the County Connection Mobile Service Center from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 21. The center provides senior citizen and veterans services, consumer affairs information, voter registration, and park and tourism information (there is a fee for certain services). Details: 609-758-7888.
• The Plumsted library will host a Halloween celebration at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 24. The Teen Advisory Board will present games, crafts and treats for children ages 3 to 11. Wear a costume! Details: 609-758-7888.
• The Howell Women’s Club will meet on Nov. 15 at 7:30 p.m. in the Taunton School media center. The evening’s program will include planning to prepare Thanksgiving meals for homebound seniors who receive Meals on Wheels. All area ladies are welcome to attend. Coffee and refreshments will be served. The club meets on the second Tuesday of the month from September through May. Details: Laura, 732-938-9190 or howellwomensclub@yahoo.com
• St. Aloysius Church, 935 Bennetts Mills Road, Jackson, offers support groups to help people better understand their feelings and to meet others who are dealing with the same life issues. A bereavement support group meets on the second Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m. and a divorced and separated support group meets on the fourth Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m. Both meetings are held in the parish office. A freewill donation of $5 is requested. Details: Email StAloysiusGonzagaGroup@gmail.com.
• The United Republican Club of Howell will meet at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 15 at the Howell First Aid Squad building, 16 Kent Road, Howell. All are welcome to attend. Details: Email naborrelli@yahoo.com
• Naturalist George Nixon will present “Yellowstone: Land Between Fire and Water” at the Monmouth County Audubon Society meeting on Nov. 9 at 8 p.m. The program will be held at the Knights of Columbus hall, 200 Fair Haven Road, Fair Haven. The public is welcome; admission is free. Details: http://www.monmouthaudubon.org
• Monmouth County Audubon Society will tour a banding station on Sandy Hook in northern Monmouth County to learn about the process. The group will meet at 8 a.m. Nov. 12 on Sandy Hook near M lot, the most northerly parking lot. Sandy Hook attracts migrating raptors, shorebirds and songbirds due to the abundance of food and areas of suitable habitat. Details: http://www.monmouthaudubon.org
• The Jackson Township Municipal Utilities Authority will hold its public meetings at 5:30 p.m. in its administrative offices at 135 Manhattan St., Jackson, on the following dates in 2016: Oct. 27, Nov. 17, Dec. 15; and on the following dates in 2017: Jan. 26 and Feb. 2 (reorganization).
• The Alzheimer’s Association Caregiver Support Group for caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s or dementia will meet at 10 a.m. on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month at the Jackson Library, 2 Jackson Drive, Jackson. Details: 1-800-272-3900 or www.alz.org/nj
Items for the Datebook may be sent to gmntnews@gmnews.com. Please submit items at least two weeks prior to a scheduled event.
