• A concert to benefit Special Strides will be held at 8:30 p.m. July 7 at Congress Hill Farm, 118 Federal Road, Monroe Township. Special Strides is a nonprofit organization devoted to improving the lives of individuals with special needs through horses, therapy and affordances of a natural environment. The community is invited to the free concert. Bring blankets and chairs. Details: www.specialstrides.com or 732-446-0945.
• Hilltop Swim Club, a nonprofit swim club on Clarksburg Road, Roosevelt, will hold an open house from 4-7 p.m. June 17 (rain date, June 25). Anyone interested in joining is welcome to attend. A potluck dinner will be served. New members must buy a share in the club for $600 (can be spread over three years, no interest). Members pay annual dues of $575 each season. The club is limited to 75 shareholders. Details: Dianna Moore at diannaashtonrealty160@aol.com or 609-448-7742.
• The Genealogical Society of New Jersey will hold its 2017 genealogy seminar on June 17 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 303 Dunhams Corner Road, East Brunswick, from 8:45 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. The seminar will feature lectures about New Jersey resources, World War I, Ellis Island, Dutch ancestors and research skills. Details and tickets: http://gsnj.org/2017-seminar/
• The Youth Orchestra of Central Jersey will hold auditions for new student musicians on June 13 at West Windsor-Plainsboro High School North, West Windsor. Students who play virtually any musical instrument may audition for this orchestra by registering for an audition time. Registration and all audition requirements may be found at yocj.org/auditions/
• A Latino dance party with the Skyline Salsa Band and DJ Caribbean Mix Entertainment will be held from 7-11:30 p.m. June 17 at St. Anthony of Padua gym, 251 Franklin St., Hightstown. Tickets are $20 and may be purchased online at https://www.eventbrite.com/o/the-hightstown-and-east-windsor-latino-festival-committeerise-13530970384
• The Statesir Cancer Center will host its 10th annual Cancer Survivors Day event on June 11 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at CentraState’s Star and Barry Tobias Ambulatory Campus, Freehold Township. The free event is open to anyone who has been touched by cancer and will include brunch, a discussion and demonstration of sound therapy by CentraState clinicians, a vendor fair, and other activities. Space is limited and advance registration is required by calling 855-411-CANCER.
• A meeting of the Monmouth County Retired Educators Association will be held on June 13 at the Spring Lake Manor, Spring Lake, at 11 a.m. Monmouth County Surrogate Rosemarie Peters will discuss wills and the Surrogate’s Office. The association’s annual philanthropic award will be presented. Members are asked to bring a non-perishable donation for the food bank and school supplies for Bridges at the Shore. For luncheon reservations, contact Sue at 732 995-7754. New members are always welcome.
• The Monmouth County Retired Educators Association will sponsor a member and family picnic at Oak Tree Lodge, Wall Township, on June 27 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be food, entertainment, games and activities. The cost is $5 for members; non-member guests, $35. Children under 5 are free. Guests age 5 to 11 are $15 per person. Details: Sue, 732 995-7754.
• The Friends of Millstone Township Historic Registered Properties are asking residents to submit their favorite recipes to be included in a community cookbook. The cookbook is a fundraiser for the organization. A recipe submission form may be found at mtfriendsofhistory.org and click on the cookbook tab. Forms may be emailed to millstonefriends@aol.com. Following its publication, the cookbook will be sold for $12.95.
• The Monmouth County Park System is seeking vendors for its Eco-Elephant Family Flea Market to be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 17 at the Dorbrook Recreation Area, Route 537, Colts Neck. Individuals, businesses, nonprofits and crafters are welcome. Vendors must provide their own table and merchandise. Cost: $30 per space. Reserve a space at www.MonmouthCountyParks.com. Details: Al Weaver, 732-542-1642, ext. 31.
• The Jim Hall Memorial Homeless Vets Motorcycle Run and BBQ/Picnic will be held at noon June 24 at Jackson Elks Lodge No. 2744, 1059 East Veterans Highway, Jackson. Tickets are $25. Registration for the ride starts at 9 a.m. and the ride kicks off at 10 a.m. Food, beverages, entertainment by the Mangos and vendors. Proceeds of the day benefit homeless veterans. Details: joelamo90@gmail.com
• The Jewish Heritage Museum of Monmouth County will present a performance by Real Diamond, a Neil Diamond tribute band, on June 11 at 7 p.m. at the Monroe Township Senior Center, Monroe Township. Tickets are $36 per person. Details: 732-252-6990 or www.jhomc.org
• 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@newspapermediagroup.com. Please submit items at least two weeks prior to a scheduled event.
