• The Allentown Lions Club will host its 46th annual Easter egg hunt at 9 a.m. sharp April 8 at Farmer Park, 1 Lakeview Drive, Allentown. Rain date is 9 a.m. April 15. Details: www.allentownlionsclub.com
• The Allentown Shade Tree Advisory Committee will celebrate Arbor Day on April 8 by giving away free tree seedlings. The event will take place at Farmer Park, 1 Lakeview Drive, Allentown, starting at 9 a.m. The seedling distribution is done in conjunction with the New Jersey Tree Recovery Campaign to replace trees lost during superstorm Sandy and other storms. Shade Tree Advisory Committee members will be on hand to provide information and answer questions about tree planting and care.
• A spring Egg-stravaganza featuring children’s egg hunts, dog photo sessions and other activities will be held on March 25 from 12:30-3:30 p.m. at Marty’s Place Senior Dog Sanctuary, 118 Route 526, Upper Freehold Township. Donations, activity fees and proceeds from purchases will benefit Marty’s Place residents and go directly for their care. Dogs are welcome; must be on a leash. Details: 609-259-1278.
• The Monmouth County Park System will host demonstrations of a 19th century grist mill at Historic Walnford, Walnford Road, Upper Freehold Township, from 1-4 p.m. April 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29 and 30. There is no cost to attend the demonstration.
• See master craftsman Tom Kelleher create a wooden bucket using centuries old techniques and tools at Historic Walnford, Walnford Road, Upper Freehold Township, from noon to 4 p.m. April 22-23. There is no cost to attend the demonstration.
• Millstone Township will hold its 11th annual town-wide stream cleanup from 9 a.m. to noon April 22. All are welcome to attend. The Millstone Township Environmental Commission and the Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association sponsor the cleanup. Wear long pants and boots. An adult must accompany children. The event will count toward volunteer hours for students; bring required forms. Contact Brittany at bmusolino@thewatershed.org to register groups larger than 10 people. Details: www.thewatershed.org/advocacy/stream-clean-ups
• 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.
• Brookdale Community College will present its annual guitar show from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 30 in the Brookdale Recreation and Events Center, Lincroft. There will be live performances, exclusive deals on guitars, musical equipment and more, and educational workshops. General admission: $12; free for children 12 and under. Details: www.brookdaleguitarshow.com
• 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
• 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.
• 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.
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.
