• The programs “Pollinators Are Not Just Bees” and “Planning Your Garden Plot,” sponsored by the Freehold Community Garden and scheduled for March 9, have been cancelled. Anyone interested in the Freehold Community Garden may visit http://www.freeholdboroughnj.gov/
• Members of the public are invited to attend a free workshop that will offer tips to create a supportive community for teenagers. The workshop will be held from 6-7:30 p.m. Feb. 27 at Temple Rodeph Torah, 15 Mohawk Drive, Marlboro. Light refreshments. Details: 732-308-0055.
• “Healthy Eating for a Better You” will be the next topic in a 2017 discussion series to be held from 7-9 p.m. March 8 at St. Robert Bellarmine Parish Center, 61 Georgia Road, Freehold Township. The series is sponsored by Kathy Lo Bue, managing director, Glen Eagle Advisors. The event is free, non-sectarian and open to the community. The presenters will be Mary W. Myers, a registered dietitian nutritionist, and Chef Christopher Lo Bue, who will demonstrate healthy recipe preparation. Adults of all ages are invited. RSVP to 732-866-6660.
• The Monmouth County Genealogy Society will hold a spring workshop at the Colts Neck Reformed Church, 139 Route 537, Colts Neck, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 25. There will be four presentations. Pre-register to guarantee a printed handout; $20 for society members; $25 for non-members. Make checks payable to Monmouth County Genealogy Society and mail to: MCGS Education Committee, 19 Racquet Road, Wall, NJ 07719. Sign-in and late registration is at 8:30 a.m. March 25 ($25 and $30). Bring lunch; beverages and desserts will be provided. Details: 732-747-0090.
• On Feb. 24, celebrate Mardi Gras early with the Joyful Noise Praise Band. Enjoy lively music and a traditional pancake supper at the First United Methodist Church, 91 W. Main St., Freehold. Pancakes served from 6-8 p.m.; music starts at 7 p.m. Free-will offering. Details: Email fholdumc@aol.com or call 732-462-5135.
• Solomon Schechter Day School of Greater Monmouth County, Marlboro, will host a free PJ Library Character Breakfast and Pajama Party for children of all ages on Feb. 26 from 10-11:15 a.m. This program is free and open to the public. The children will play games with the Paw Patrol, Peppa Pig, Lego Batman and more. Children are encouraged to wear their pajamas. RSVP required to Linda@schechtergmc.com or 732-431-5525.
• A gift basket auction to benefit the Manalapan High School Music Department will be held at the high school on Feb. 24. Doors open at 6 p.m. Drawing starts at 7 p.m. Tickets: $15 per person, includes one sheet of bronze level tickets, and coffee, tea, water and dessert (bring your own food; no alcohol). There will be multiple tiers with more than 200 baskets. Register in advance. Find form at http://bit.ly/2i50UsB or email mhsbandgiftauction@gmail.
• The Sunrise Optimist Club of Freehold will host its annual Kylie Pinheiro Memorial Hot Shot Basketball Tournament on Feb. 26 at the YMCA of Western Monmouth County, 470 East Freehold Road, Freehold Township. The event, open to girls and boys from grades 4-9, will start at noon for girls of all grade levels, at 1 p.m. for boys grades 4 and 5, at 1:45 p.m. for boys grades 6 and 7, and at 2:45 p.m. for boys grades 8 and 9. The fee is $5 per entrant. The deadline to register is Feb. 24. Details: Scott, 732-754-8865.
• The Italian American Association of Monmouth County will host Carnevale from 2-6 p.m. Feb. 26 at the Reception Center at St. Clement, Route 79, Matawan. Admission: $20 for children (4-10) and $40 for adults. Price for the family celebration will include buffet luncheon (cash bar available), face painting, balloon art, characters and puppet show, singing and traditional Italian music and dancing. Guests are encouraged to wear a costume. Masks will be distributed to adults and children will make their own. There will be an auction table and a 50-50 drawing. RSVP by Feb. 20. Details: Cheryl, 732-536-5832.
• “Mischlinge Expose,” multi-media tapestry with Carolyn Enger, will be presented at 2 p.m. Feb. 26 at the Jewish Heritage Museum of Monmouth County, Freehold Township. Cost is $10 for museum members and $12 for non-members. Reservations (non-refundable) are recommended. Details: 732-252-6990.
• Suri Grussgott, the associate director of the World Jewish Congress, will speak about the dawn of a “New Era” for Jews in Argentina at 10:30 a.m. Feb. 26 at the Freehold Jewish Center, Freehold Borough. The presentation is open to synagogue members and non-members. A $5 donation is requested. Reserve a place by calling 732-462-0254.
• Dan Nichols, a performer and composer of modern Jewish music, will appear at a Temple Rodeph Torah, Marlboro, “Rock Shabbat” fundraising concert at 5 p.m. March 5. Concert-goers should come ready to sing, hum and clap their hands. Tickets are $18 for adults and $5 for children under 18. Children 5 and under are free. For tickets, visit concert.trt.org or call 732-308-0055.
• The YMCA of Western Monmouth County, Freehold Township, will host a pickleball tournament on March 16. The event is open to the community. Categories include men’s doubles, women’s doubles and mixed doubles. Entry is $30 per team or $15 per individual. Proceeds will benefit the YCares financial assistance program. Details: Ken Cardullo, 732-727-0704, ext. 305.
• The spring sessions of “Dancing by the Peddie Lake with Candace Woodward-Clough,” offering instruction in swing, foxtrot, waltz and Latin dancing, will be held at 112 Etra Road, Hightstown. Classes begin March 2 and March 24 for four weeks. Classes start at 7:30 p.m. Register by calling 732-995-4284. The cost is $60 per person for the four-week session.
• The Jewish Heritage Museum of Monmouth County, Freehold Township, will offer “Make Your Own Purim Grogger” for children ages 4-6 (accompanied by an adult) and ages 7-15 from 1:30-3:30 p.m. March 5. Admission is $10 per child (includes materials). To reserve a space, call 732-252-6990.
• The Monmouth County Audubon Society will sponsor an evening field trip to Big Brook Park, Route 520, Marlboro, in search of the American Woodcock on March 11. Participation is free. The group will meet at 5:30 pm in the parking lot of the park. The trip is open to members and non-members of the Audubon Society. Advance registration is not required. Details: http://www.monmouthaudubon.org
• Freehold Borough will hold a free rabies vaccination clinic for cats and dogs from 10-11 a.m. Feb. 25 at the Freehold Fire Department annex, 49 W. Main St. The clinic is open to residents of all towns. Cats and dogs must be at least 3 months old to receive a vaccination. Dogs must be leashed and cats contained. No paperwork required. Details: 732-462-7057.
• Embroiderers’ Guild of America-Monmouth Chapter is dedicated to teaching and sharing the joys of needlework. Stitchers of all levels are welcome. Evening stitchers will meet on April 3 from 7-9 p.m. at the Colts Neck Library, 1 Winthrop Driver. Day stitchers will meet on April 20 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Colts Neck Community Church, 25 Merchants Way. Details: Toni, 732-462-5540 or www.mcega.org
• Embroiderers’ Guild of America-Monmouth Chapter is dedicated to teaching and sharing the joys of needlework. Stitchers of all levels are welcome. Evening stitchers will meet on March 6 from 7-9 p.m. at the Colts Neck Library, 1 Winthrop Drive. Day stitchers will meet on March 16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Colts Neck Community Church, 25 Merchants Way. Details: Toni, 732-462-5540 or www.mcega.org
• The Italian American Association of Monmouth County will sponsor a trip to visit Arthur Avenue (Little Italy in the Bronx) on April 8. Bus leaves Freehold Township at 9 a.m., returns at 5 p.m. All members and their immediate families are invited to attend. Cost is $30 for adults and children. RSVP by March 20. Details: Cheryl, 732-536-5832.
• The American Association of University Women Freehold Branch is accepting book donations for its 2017 used book sale. With the exception of Reader’s Digest condensed books and textbooks, all books in good condition are appreciated. Books may be dropped off only between 10 a.m. and noon on Tuesdays at the Freehold Savings Bank, 65 W. Main St., Freehold, or call Joan at 732-431-2297 for drop-off instructions.
• The Reformed Church of Freehold, 67 W. Main St., Freehold, will host a roast beef dinner that is open to the community from 4-7 p.m. March 4. Full course dinner served family style. Tickets are $18 for adults and $6 for children ages 6-12. Take-out dinners will be available. Tickets will be available at the door or by calling the church office at 732-462-1717.
• Is There Morality Only When There Are Witnesses? a talk by Rabbi Brooks Susman will be presented at 2 p.m. March 19 at the Jewish Heritage Museum of Monmouth County, 310 Mount’s Corner Drive, Freehold Township. Admission: $8 for museum members and $10 for non-members. Reservations (non-refundable) are recommended. Details: 732-252-6990.
• The Essential Tremor Support Group meets from 7-9 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month (March 2) at the Jack Aaronson Conference Center at CentraState Medical Center, Freehold Township. Details: 732-462-8304, after 10 a.m.
• New Jersey Blood Services is in need of volunteers to work blood drives in Ocean and Monmouth counties. Tasks include assisting donors with registration, watching donors for post-donation reactions and responding to their needs. Details: Jan Zepka, 732-616-8741.
• 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
• 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.
• Abraham Lincoln High School, Brooklyn, N.Y., Class of 1967 will reunite at 6 p.m. April 23 at Gargiulo’s Restaurant, Coney Island. Details: dlouie@davidjlouiec.com or 917-363-2500 or David Coleman at 732-547-2340.
• 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.
