• The early costume collection of the Monmouth County Historical Association will be featured in an all-day seminar to be held on 8 April at the association’s museum in Freehold Borough. The program is titled “Whatever Shall We Wear: 18th and Early 19th Century Clothing and Accessories in Monmouth County.” Registration fee of $125 per person includes lunch. Advance registration required. Details: 732-462-1466, ext. 11, or email pthithens@monmouthhistory.org
• Brookdale Community College will hold its annual spring open house on April 2 at noon in the Collins Arena, 765 Newman Springs Road (Route 520), Lincroft. High school students, career-changers and residents of all ages are invited to meet with Brookdale staff, ask questions and explore more than 50 degree and career training programs offered through the college. Details: www.brookdalecc.edu/openhouse or 732-224-1857.
• Laurel McLaughlin, art historian at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, will present a program about World War I and American Art at the Monmouth County Library Headquarters, 125 Symmes Drive, Manalapan, at 2 p.m. March 23. McLaughlin will discuss the war and how it impacted art and culture because of how America’s artists interpreted their experiences, opinions and perceptions in their art. Details: www.monmouthcountylib.org
• In celebration of National Library Week, April 9-15, the Allentown Public Library introduces its next One Town/One Book title, “News of the World,” a novel by Paulette Jiles. This is a tale of quiet courage set in post-Civil War Texas. The book will be available at the library beginning April 9. Two book discussion sessions will be hosted at the library on May 9, at 10:30 a.m. and at 7 p.m. All are encouraged to attend.
• The Allentown Public Library will host Trivia Night at 7 p.m. April 22 at the Allentown First Aid Squad building, Waker Avenue. This fundraising event is open to all. Tickets are $15 per player, with $5 going toward cash prizes for the winning teams. Players may bring snacks and soft drinks. Teams should register early to reserve a table. Call 609-259-7565 or visit the library to sign up for Trivia Night.
• The Millstone Community Garden has plots available for 2017. A plot costs $25. Community plots for vegetables and fruit donated to local food banks are tended by the Master Gardeners of Monmouth County and community gardeners. Last year more than 650 pounds of fresh vegetables was donated to the Millstone Food Pantry and to the Open Door Food Pantry in Freehold. Volunteers are welcome. The garden is at 211 Millstone Road and is sponsored by the United Presbyterian Church of Millstone (gardeners do not have to be a member of the church). Details: www.millstonegarden.org, call Jeanette Kozak at 609-223-0010 or email Anne Haines at syringa12@aol.com
• Joan Ruddiman of Allentown, educational consultant, will present the workshop “Grit! What Parents and Educators Should Know” at the New Jersey Association for Gifted Children’s 26th annual conference on March 17 at the Conference Center at Mercer on the campus of Mercer County Community College, West Windsor. This year’s conference will feature presentations, panels and workshops of interest to educators and parents of gifted students. Details: www.njagc.org
• “What’s for Lunch,” a culinary demonstration of a healthy comforting lunch with Chef Jason Metz will be held at the St. Joseph Church Parish Hall, 91 Stillhouse Road, Millstone Township, from 12:30-3:30 p.m. March 19. Hosted by the Ladies of St. Joseph. Food themed gift basket raffle. Lunch and beverages served (BYOB). Tickets are $25 per person in advance, $30 at the door. All ladies in the community are welcome to attend. For reservations, call Rosalie, 732-490-5302.
• 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.
• Basket and Bag Bingo presented by the Cookstown Volunteer Fire Co. No. 1 Ladies Auxiliary will be held on April 8 at the New Egypt Elks, 105 Lakewood Road (Route 528), New Egypt. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., Bingo starts promptly at 7 p.m. Tickets: $30 per person. For tickets, call Karen Ivins at 609-668-2030.
• Registration is open for the 2017 HEWYBL spring flag football season. The league is open to players (boys and girls) ages 4 to 18. The registration deadline is March 21 and the season will run from early April until early June. Games are played at Hancock Field in East Windsor. HEWYBL flag football typically draws players from Allentown, Cranbury, East Windsor, Hamilton, Hightstown, Millstone Township , Robbinsville, West Windsor and other surrounding towns. Register online at www.HEWYBL.com. Select Register at the upper right corner of the screen and follow the instructions. Fees range from $75 to $180. Details: Email Eric Updegraff at hewyblflag@optimum.net
• 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.
• 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.
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.
