• Rabies vaccinations for cats and dogs will be provided on the following dates: Jan. 14, 9-11 a.m., North Hanover Township, 41 Schoolhouse Road, Jacobstown, 609-758-2522; Jan. 14, 2-4 p.m., Upper Freehold Township garage, 314 Route 539, Upper Freehold Township, 609-758-7738; Jan. 21, 10 a.m. to noon, New Hanover Township, public works, Hockamick Road, Cookstown, 609-758-7149. Residents of all towns may bring an animal to any rabies clinic.
• The Ladies Auxiliary of New Egypt American Legion Post 455, 2 Meadowbrook Lane, New Egypt, will host Longaberger Basket Bingo on Jan. 14. All prizes will be Longaberger products. Doors open at 11 a.m. and games begin at 1 p.m. The cost is $25 and includes game boards. Food will be available. Must be 18 years old or older to enter. To reserve tickets, call Roberta Francis, 609-209-6666.
• Ramtown-Howell Fire Company No. 2 will conduct “Operation Santa” on Dec. 17. Santa will leave the fire station at 10 a.m. and travel around Ramtown. Donations of food for the Howell food pantry will be accepted by firefighters as Santa visits each neighborhood. Details: 732-458-0222, leave message for Jim Gaul.
• The 11th annual Jackson Hanukkah menorah lighting will take place from 4:30-6 p.m. Dec. 29 at town hall. All are invited to attend the event, which is presented by Bat Shalom Hadassah and the township. Kosher holiday refreshments at 4:30 p.m., followed by greetings and Hanukkah songs. Menorah lighting at 5 p.m. with members of Hadassah and the Yiddish Heritage Club, and community representatives lighting the menorah.
• A knitting group meets on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month 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.
• 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.
• A Red Cross blood drive will be held at the Jackson Library from 2-7 p.m. Dec. 28. Anyone who is at least 17 years old, weighs a minimum of 110 pounds and is in generally good health can donate blood. The entire process takes about an hour and all blood types are needed. Donors should bring a photo ID. Visit www.redcross.org to schedule an appointment to donate blood. Walk-ins are also welcome.
• A hands-on tour of the New Jersey Career Connections website will be presented at the Jackson Library from 2-4 p.m. Jan. 10. Topics include personal budgeting, filing for unemployment, drafting cover letters and resumes, completing online applications, interviewing, and more. Participants may bring their resume to work on. Registration is required. Details: 732-928-4400.
• A session of coloring for adults will begin at 10 a.m. Dec. 20 at the Jackson library. Rediscover the joy of coloring. Coloring sheets and art supplies provided, along with light refreshments and relaxing music. The program is free. Advance registration is required and registration is now open. Details: 732-928-4400.
• 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: Dec. 15; and on the following dates in 2017: Jan. 26 and Feb. 2 (reorganization).
Items for the Datebook may be sent to gmntnews@gmnews.com. Please submit items at least two weeks prior to a scheduled event.
