• The Innovation Network of Brookdale Community College students are volunteering at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore, 45 South St., Freehold, and will host an auction of furniture, appliances, etc. from noon to 5 p.m. April 29. Profits will benefit Habitat for Humanity. All are welcome to attend. Admission to the auction is free.
• To support the Jackson Food Pantry, the Jackson Rotary Club will host a pancake breakfast from 9 a.m. to noon April 30 at the Jackson Senior Center, 45 Don Connor Blvd. The cost to attend is the donation of a needed item (peanut butter, cookies, canned tuna, cake mixes, frosting, canned goods, adult diapers, infant diapers, size 6, laundry detergent, soups, etc.) Details: www.jacksonrotaryclub.org
• The annual Spirit of the Jerseys State History Fair will be held on May 13 at Monmouth Battlefield State Park, Route 33, Manalapan, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., rain or shine. Five centuries of New Jersey’s history will be represented by exhibitors and re-enactors. Activities include 19th century baseball, plowing demonstrations, period music, and historical figures from New Jersey’s past. Free admission/suggested $10 parking donation. Details: www.njhistoryfair.org
• “Get More Organized” will be the theme of the May 7 meeting of the Monmouth County Genealogy Society at the Community Center, 72 Broad St., Eatontown. Beverly Yackel will explain her techniques for organizing genealogy research at 1:30 p.m. The program is free and the public is welcome. Details: 732-747-0090.
• Residents of all towns are invited to attend an all you can eat breakfast sponsored by the Sons of the American Legion from Post 455, 2 Meadowbrook Lane, New Egypt, from 7-11 a.m. May 7. Adults, $8, children, $4, (children under 3, free).
• On May 13 the Jackson Memorial High School Class of 1997 will host their 20-year reunion at Doolans Shore Club, Spring Lake. Cost is $85 per person, includes buffet dinner, open bar and DJ. Details: Steve Matusz at matusz.steve@gmail.com
• The Jackson Library will host local author Lo Anne Mayer as she discusses her book, “Celestial Conversations,” which was inspired after Meyer lost her mother and daughter. The discussion will take place at 11 a.m. May 9. She will share techniques to overcome loss and find healing. The program is free, however advanced registration is required. Details: 732-928-4400.
• The Jackson Library will host meditation practitioner Shazia Zaman sharing tips and techniques about visualizing during meditation. The program will take place at 11 a.m. May 16. This is an intermediate level class. Comfortable clothes recommended. Pre-requisite: Some meditation experience required. Limited seating. The program is free. To register, call 732-928-4400.
• A coloring for adults program will be held at the Jackson Library from 10-11:30 a.m. June 20. Rediscover the joys of coloring. Coloring sheets and art supplies provided along with light refreshment and relaxing music. Adults 18 and over. Seating limited. Registration required. Registration is open now. Details: 732-928-4400.
• Adults 18 and over can create their own rainbow clay necklace at 2 p.m. June 22 at the Jackson Library. Supplies provided. Seating is limited. Registration required. Registration opens June 9. Details: 732-928-4400.
• The Jackson Library will host an Adventure in Art workshop from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. June 10. The workshop includes hands-on instruction by artist Nancy Bonta Voitko. Adults 18 and over. Seating limited. Registration required. Registration opens May 8. Details: 732-928-4400.
• New Egypt Day will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 20. Activities for children will include face painting, pony rides, inflatables, petting zoo and a tractor-pulled wagon. Food, music by Jake’s Rockin’ Country Band and vendors. Festivities will take place on Main Street and Evergreen Road. Admission is free. A $6 per child wristband is required for unlimited access to children’s activities listed above. For more information or to request a vendor application, contact Peter Ylvisaker at 609-758-2241, ext. 132, or email pylvisaker@plumsted.org
• The Jackson Friends of the Library will host a book sale at the Jackson Library, 2 Jackson Drive, Jackson, from April 29 through May 6 from 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. (Monday through Thursday) and from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Friday and Saturday). A special preview sale for Friends members will be held on April 28 from noon to 4:30 p.m. Books, audio books, CDs and DVDs will be available for purchase. New items will be added every day. All are welcome to attend.
• The Upper Freehold-Allentown Municipal Alliance will host Bike Night 2017 on June 7. All makes and models of bikes are welcome. American and metric bikes will be present. A car show will be held on June 28. All makes and models of cars are welcome. Both events will be held from 5:30-9 p.m. at the Roost at the Cream Ridge Golf Course, 181 Route 539, Upper Freehold Township. Door prizes, judging, awards, music, food and beverages. Vendor opportunities are available. There is no entry fee, but donations for the alliance are accepted. Details:609-758-7738, ext. 230.
• 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 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
• 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.
• 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@newspapermediagroup.com. Please submit items at least two weeks prior to a scheduled event.
