• The Monmouth County Park System will host its annual Student/Instructor Show and Sale from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 3-4 at the Thompson Park Creative Arts Center, Route 520, Lincroft. This event celebrates the original artwork of the arts center’s students and instructors. Items will be available for purchase in all price ranges (cash or check only). Details: 732-842-4000.
• The Sayre Woods Bible Church, 2290 Route 9, Old Bridge, will present an all-new drive through Christmas story that will include live performances from biblical characters. The event is free to all visitors. Dates and times are 7-9 p.m. Dec. 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Dec. 9-11. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.
• St. Mary’s Church, Colts Neck, will continue its “Light Up a Memory” tradition in 2016. For a contribution of $10 per light, individuals may sponsor a light in memory of someone deceased or in honor of a living person. There will be a tree lighting ceremony on Dec. 10 after the 4 p.m. Mass. All are welcome to participate. The deadline to reserve a light is Nov. 27. Details: 732-780-2666.
• A holiday bazaar will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 4 at the YMCA of Western Monmouth County, 470 East Freehold Road, Freehold Township. Free admission; all are welcome to attend. The bazaar will feature Stella and Dot, Bella Notte Designs, LulaRoe, Thirty One Gifts, Touchstone Crystals and Usbornne Books.
• A Deck the Halls Winter Wonderland will be held from 4-8 p.m. Dec. 17 at YMCA Camp Topanemus, 380 Monmouth Road (Route 537), Millstone Township. Admission is $20 per car, guests may choose to visit at 4 p.m. or at 6 p.m. The family event will include live music, photo opportunities, a live Nativity, reindeer feeding, cocoa and cider. Tickets must be purchased online by Dec. 11 at http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr= puk7mzeab&oeidk= a07edfbas29529625ac
• The Manalapan-Englishtown Regional School District Board of Education will hold a committee of the whole meeting at 7 p.m. Dec. 6 at the Taylor Mills School, 77 Gordons Corner Road, Manalapan. The board will hold a regular action meeting at the Lafayette Mills School, 66 Maxwell Lane, Manalapan, at 7 p.m. Dec. 20. Both meetings are open to the public.
• Freehold Knights of Columbus Council 1672 will host an all you can eat roast beef dinner and a night of dining, music and dancing from 6-10 p.m. Dec. 2. There will be a cash bar. The meal will be served family style. Cost is $19 per person, children under 12, $12. All proceeds go to community charities. For tickets, call Jim Brown at 732-780-5472.
• The Center for Jewish Life, Marlboro, will sponsor a JTeen Hanukkah event for boys and girls ages 13-17 at iPlay America, Freehold Township, from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Dec. 20. There will be unlimited rides, arcades, video games, laser tag, go karts, 4D theater and more. Admission: $25 (includes pizza, refreshments and $5 game card). RSVP by Dec. 12 to www.cjlnj.com or 732-316-7600.
• The Jewish Heritage Museum of Monmouth County is presenting an exhibit at the Monmouth County Library Headquarters, Manalapan. “From Peddler to Philanthropist-The Story of the German Jews of Monmouth County” discusses the story of German Jews who settled in Monmouth and built communities, synagogues and businesses, and the story of wealthy German-Jewish financiers and industrialists who spent summers in their elegant mansions on Monmouth’s Jersey Shore during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The exhibit may be viewed during library hours.
• Congregation Sons of Israel, 33 Gordons Corner Road, Manalapan, will present a vendor night from 7-9 p.m. Dec. 1. Members of the public are welcome to attend. Gifts for the entire family will be available for purrchase from many vendors on hand. Wine tasting. Refreshments. Gift basket raffle. Admission: $5 (includes 10 raffle tickets), $10 (includes 20 raffle tickets) and $15 (includes 30 raffle tickets). Details: 732-995-6849.
• The Monmouth County Audubon Society will sponsor a bird walk on Sandy Hook in northern Monmouth County on Dec. 10. The trip will be led by members of the Audubon Society. Anyone interested in participating can meet at 10 a.m. in the parking lot by the old Visitor Center. Participation is free. Advance registration is not required. Details: http://www.monmouthaudubon.org
• Authors Kevin Karlson and Dale Rosselet will present “Birding by Impression: A Different Approach to Knowing and Identifying Birds” at the Monmouth County Audubon Society meeting at 8 p.m. Dec. 14 at the Knights of Columbus hall, 200 Fair Haven Road, Fair Haven. The public is welcome; admission is free. Details: http://www.monmouthaudubon.org
• A new cancer support group will meet on the second Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. at Monmouth Worship Center, 37 Vanderburg Road, Marlboro. A prayer group will meet at 8:30 p.m. Details: 732-332-9600.
• The Bimah Players will perform Jewish skits and songs at 2 p.m. Dec. 18 at the Jewish Heritage Museum of Monmouth County, Freehold Township. “Deli Delights” is a smorgasbord of songs, poetry, comedy and drama. Admission is $8 for museum members and $10 for non-members. To make a reservation (non-refundable), call the museum at 732-252-6990 or visit www.jhmomc.org
• The Monmouth County Park System will host a session of Ask a Naturalist at 10 a.m. Nov. 29 at Turkey Swamp Park, Georgia Road, Freehold Township. Meet at the shelter building. Hit the trail with a naturalist and bring along questions. Free. Details: 732-842-4000.
• The Monmouth County Retired Educators Association will meet at 11 a.m. Dec. 13 at the Shadowbrook, Shrewsbury. New members are welcome. Members are asked to bring a nonperishable donation for the food bank and an unwrapped book, toy or gift card for Bridges At The Shore. For luncheon reservations, contact Sue, 732-995-7754, or email sueshrott@gmail.com before Dec. 2.
• The Adelphia Fire Company, Howell, will present Breakfast with Santa from 8 a.m. to noon Dec. 4 at the firehouse, 925 Adelphia Road (Route 524), Howell. All are invited for all you can eat pancakes, sausage, scrambled eggs, orange juice, coffee, tea and cocoa. Adults, $8, children, $6.
• Abraham Lincoln High School, Brooklyn, N.Y., Class of 1967 will reunite at 6 p.m. April 23, 2017 at Gargiulo’s Restaurant, Coney Island. Details: dlouie@davidjlouiec.com or 917-363-2500 or David Coleman at 732-547-2340.
• A Women’s Circle wine and cheese tasting event will be held at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 21 at the Center for Jewish Life, Route 79, Marlboro. Cover: $40, complimentary to partners. RSVP only by Dec. 16 to 732-316-7600.
• A Hanukkah carnival will be held at the Center for Jewish Life, Route 79, Marlboro, from noon to 2:30 p.m. Dec. 25. Families welcome. Arts and crafts, game booths, Moon Bounce, menorah lighting and more. Admission: $18 per child (ages 2-12) includes all games and pizza lunch. Complimentary to partner families. RSVP to 732-316-7600.
• The B’nai B’rith Ketubah Unit (55+) will host a Hanukkah party from 1-5 p.m. Dec. 4 at Fred & Murry’s Kosher Delicatessen, Freehold Township, featuring kosher deli buffet, entertainment and a tricky tray. The cost is $32 per person (includes tax and tip). Prospective singles and couples are welcome to attend. RSVP to Elaine at 908-232-0062 by Nov. 23.
• The Jewish Heritage Museum of Monmouth County, Freehold Township, will host its second annual holiday boutique from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 4. Items for purchase will include jewelry, artwork, Judaica and vintage American mah jong sets from the 1940s through the 1970s (proceeds from the sets will benefit the museum) and more. Vendor tables are $25. Admission is free. Details: 732-252-6990.
• The Jewish Heritage Museum of Monmouth County will sponsor a Hanukkah menorah/platter painting event on Dec. 8 from 4:30-6 p.m. at Around the Corner Art Center, Freehold Township (next to the museum). The cost is $12 per child, supplies included. Reserve a space early. Details: 732-252-6990.
• The Freehold Borough Arts Council will host an arts and crafts vendor event from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 3 at 618 (formerly Park 33), 618 Park Ave, Freehold. Guests may purchase unique arts and crafts made by local artists. Artists interested in securing a space may email info@freeholdborougharts.org
• The Essential Tremor Support Group meets from 7-9 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month (Dec. 1) at the Jack Aaronson Conference Center at CentraState Medical Center, Freehold Township. Details: 732-462-8304, after 10 a.m.
• The Marlboro Jewish Center will sponsor an Israel Adventure for Women from June 25 through July 6, 2017. The tour will visit traditional and off-the-beaten-path sites, and include Shabbat in Jerusalem and a stop in Tel Aviv. The itinerary includes talks with Israeli women who will bring their experiences and passions to life. Details: bethbankscohn@gmail.com
• The Monmouth County Park System will present a mill demonstration at Historic Walnford, Walnford Road, Upper Freehold Township from 1-4 p.m. Nov. 26-27. See the 19th century gristmill in action. Free. Details: 732-842-4000.
• The Ladies of St. Joseph, Millstone Township, will sponsor a bus trip to Lancaster, Pa., for Sight & Sound Theatres’ presentation of “Samson” on Dec. 6. Bus departs from St. Joseph Church at 9 a.m. and returns at approximately 8:30 p.m. There will be a traditional Pennsylvania Dutch smorgasbord lunch at Shady Maple and shopping time after lunch. Cost is $125 per person. Details: Rosalie, 732-490-5302.
• The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance will meet in the spiritual center of St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, 1 Phalanx Road, Colts Neck, from 7:30-9 p.m. every Thursday. Details: 732-536-5826 or 732-320-0029.
Items for the Datebook may be sent via email to gmntnews@gmnews.com. Please send items at least two weeks prior to a scheduled event.
