• Guests at the Manasquan Reservoir Environmental Center, Howell, can meet one of the environmental center’s resident snakes during a snake meet and greet at 1 p.m. April 23. There is no cost to attend the program.
• 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 turtle meet and greet events at the Manasquan Reservoir Environmental Center, Howell, at noon April 1-2. The event is free.
• Come and explore the woods and wetlands of the Manasquan Reservoir, Howell, on Earth Day, April 22. Meet at the Manasquan Reservoir Environmental Center. The day will include nature walks, live reptile and amphibian presentations, children’s crafts, and more. Activity times: animal presentations at 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.; nature walks at noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.
• A watercolor workshop for adults, presented by Tomo Kitajima, will be held at the Jackson Library at 10 a.m. April 19. Learn how pigments and water play together. Participants must bring three round watercolor brushes, sizes 8, 12 and 16, to the class. Advanced registration is required. Seating is limited. Details: 732-928-4400.
• A session of Coloring for Adults will be held from 10-11:30 a.m. April 25 at the Jackson Library. Coloring sheets and art supplies are provided, along with light refreshment and relaxing music. The program is free, but advanced registration is required. Call 732-928-4400 to register.
• Frank Watson, a Lutheran clergyman, historian and ecclesiastical archivist, will present a program about “The Nazi Spy Pastor: Carl Krepper and the War in America” at the Jackson library at 7 p.m. April 6. To register for the program, call 732-928-4400.
• The Plumsted Library will host Master Gardeners Present: Hummingbirds and Butterflies, at 2 p.m. April 13. Join the Master Gardeners of Ocean County to learn how to attract hummingbirds and butterflies to your garden this spring. Details: 609-758-7888.
• The Plumsted Library will host at Book Café at 3 p.m. April 17. Join the Book Café group as members talk about new books and authors, and discuss their past favorites. Details: 609-758-7888.
• The Plumsted Library will host a program about baby chicks at 3:30 p.m. April 19. Members of the New Egypt AG-U will celebrate chick season by sharing what people need to know about raising and caring for these birds. Program is for ages 4 and up. Details: 609-758-7888.
• The Ocean County Library Puppet Players present “Mr. Pusskins” at 3:30 p.m. April 26 at the Plumsted Library. Mr. Pusskins decides to go on an adventure of a lifetime and leave his boring life behind. Program is for ages 3 and up. Details: 609-758-7888.
• Friends of the Jackson Library will host a country western dance and silent auction from 7-10:30 p.m. April 1 at Jackson Firehouse No. 55, 113 North New Prospect Road, Jackson. Music and instruction by Billy and Lisa, BTK Entertainment. Couples, singles, no experience or partner needed. Adults 18 and older welcome. Tickets are $18 before March 24 or $25 at the door (if available). Proceeds go to the Friends. Tickets: Email Diane at Jacksonfriendsdance@gmail.com or call/text 732-523-0150. To order tickets online, visit www.tinyurl.com/danceevent. Tickets will be available at the Jackson library from 2-4 p.m. March 18.
• The Heritage Group of Howell and the Friends of the Library will present local author Joseph G. Bilby at 6:30 p.m. April 6 at the Howell Library, 318 Old Tavern Road. Bilby will speak about “New Jersey’s Role in World War I,” commemorating the United States’ entry into the war on April 6, 1917. The public is invited to this free program. Light refreshments will be served.
• The Plumsted Trap, Neuter and Return Committee will host a Spay-ghetti dinner from 4-8 p.m. April 29 at American Legion Post 455, 2 Meadowbrook Road, New Egypt. Proceeds will allow the committee to care for the community’s cats. Dinner includes spaghetti, meatballs, salad. Cash bar, raffle. Donations of canned and dry cat food and dog food requested. All are welcome. Tickets: Adults, $12; Children under 10, $6; takeout, $1 extra. For tickets, call 609-317-0453.
• Jackson VFW Post 4703 will host fish fry dinners from 4-7 p.m. March 24, 31 and April 7, 14 at 54 Magnolia Drive, Jackson. An $8 donation includes a fish dinner with dessert. All are welcome to attend.
• The Jackson Library, 2 Jackson Drive, Jackson, is hosting a job fair from 6-8:30 p.m. April 5. The event is open to everyone. A list of participating businesses and organizations is available on the library’s website under Calendar of Events.
• A meeting of the Monmouth County Retired Educators Association will be held at 11 a.m. April 4 at the Radisson, 50 Gibson Place, Freehold Township. Steve Eugene will present a program about Senior Internet and Scam Alerts. Members are asked to bring a non-perishable donation for the food bank and sample toiletries for the Ronald McDonald House in Long Branch. New members welcome. For luncheon reservations, contact Sue at 732-995-7754 or sueshrott@gmail.com before March 20.
• The Jackson Rotary Club will sponsor a bus trip to the Tropicana Casino, Atlantic City, on April 23. Cost is $34 which includes bus transportation, sandwich, chips and beverage on the bus, $25 back in slot play and gratuity for the driver. Bus leaves Jackson at noon and returns at 9 p.m. Proceeds benefit Rotary Club charities. For reservations, contact Tom Barchie at 732-207-4029.
• 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
• The New Egypt Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary will host its annual chicken salad/bake sale from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 26 at 59 Main St., New Egypt. Pints are $6.50 and quarts are $13. Pre-orders for chicken salad must be placed by March 15. Call Debbie, 609-738-2241, or Sarah Jo, 609-758-3260.
• The Adelphia Fire Company, 925 Adelphia Road (Route 524), Howell, will hold a pancake breakfast from 8 a.m. to noon April 9. All are welcome. Adults: $10. Children: $6. All you can eat pancakes, sausage, scrambled eggs, orange juice, tea and cocoa.
• A blood drive will be held at Howell Middle School South, 1 Kuzminski Way, Howell, on April 27. Babysitting and refreshments will be available. Online scheduling is available. Enter ZIP code 07731 in the Find A Blood Drive box and enter password HMSS17 to schedule an appointment. Details: Email patrice_mcdow@yahoo.com
• The Adelphia Fire Company, 925 Adelphia Road (Route 524), Howell, will hold its annual Steak Bake and Gift Auction on May 6. Doors open at 6 p.m. Dinner from 7-9 p.m. Ticket donation: $35. Includes all you can eat steak, fries, salad, dessert, soda/tea and beer. For tickets, email Mark or Katie at adelphiafiresteakbake@gmail.com
• Visiting Nurse Association Health Group/Monmouth County New Jersey Cancer Education and Early Detection program and Immanuel Bible Church will offer free breast exams and mammograms for uninsured or underinsured women ages 40 to 65 who reside in New Jersey and meet eligibility guidelines. The free screening will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 25 at Immanuel Bible Church, 1244 West Farms Road, Howell. Breakfast and lunch will be served. Childcare will be provided. Walk-ins are welcome. For an appointment, call 855-619-4445 or 732-933-3952.
• The Sons of the American Legion Post 455, 2 Meadowbrook Lane, New Egypt, invites the community to its all you can eat breakfast on the first Sunday of each month (April 2) from 7-11 a.m. Cost is $8 for adults and $4 for children. Children under 4 are free. Breakfast features scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, pork roll, potatoes, french toast, pancakes and more. There is also a station to order omelets.
• Free income tax help provided by representatives of AARP will be offered at the Plumsted Library from 1-5 p.m March 29. The program will electronically complete and file a federal return and a New Jersey tax return. The program is available to all taxpayers, but special emphasis is provided to those age 60 or over with low to moderate income. Appointments are necessary. To make an appointment, call 609-758-7888.
• 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.
• “Annie Oakley: Aim for a High Mark” will be presented at the Plumsted Library at 3:30 p.m. March 24. Sharpshooter Annie Oakley’s motto was to “aim for a high mark … for practice will make you perfect.” The program is for ages 5 and up. Details: 609-758-7888.
• Stages Festival: “Gerald Fierst Storytelling – Tales from Around the World” will be held at the Plumsted Library at 6 p.m. March 29. Multi-cultural folktales will come alive as Gerald Fierst tells stories using audience participation, drama, laughter and surprises. The program is for all ages. Details: 609-758-7888.
• Free tax assistance provided by members of AARP will be available at the Jackson Library on March 30 from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Program is open to anyone who is eligible to file a tax return. Appointments are required. Must bring previous year(s) returns, photo ID, Social Security or I-Tin card and relevant tax documents. Call 732-928-4400, ext. 3808 to make and appointment.
• The Jackson Library’s knitting group, Knit-Chat-Chain, is seeking donations of yarn and wool. The members of the group create sweaters, hats, scarves and blankets to donate to charity. Yarn donations may be brought to the Circulation Desk during library hours: Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Details: 732-928-4400.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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 St AloysiusGonzagaGroup@gmail.com.
Items for the Datebook may be sent to gmntnews@gmnews.com. Please submit items at least two weeks prior to a scheduled event.
