• The Monmouth County Historical Association’s five historic houses and its museum at 70 Court St., Freehold, will be open free of charge as part of “Smithsonian” magazine’s 13th annual Museum Day Live! on Sept. 23. A ticket is available for download at Smithsonian.com/museumday. Visitors who present the ticket will gain free entrance for two individuals at participating venues on Sept. 23. One ticket per email address is permitted. Details: Smithsonian.com/museumday
• Residents of all communities are welcome to attend a monthly all you can eat breakfast sponsored by Sons of American Legion Post 455, 2 Meadowbrook Lane, New Egypt, and held on the first Sunday of every month (Oct. 1) from 7-11 a.m. The cost is $8 for adults and $4 for children (under 3 free). Breakfast features eggs, omelette station, pancakes, French toast, sausage, bacon, pork roll, potatoes, coffee, tea, juice.
• An informational session will be held at 7 p.m. Oct. 3 at the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office Public Safety Center, 2500 Kozloski Road, Freehold Township. Sheriff Shaun Golden has filed a charter application with the Monmouth Council, Boy Scouts of America to form the Teen CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) Explorer Post No. 2. The program is a National Homeland Security initiative aimed at making communities safer by training teens to assist in preparing for, responding to and recovering from emergencies or disasters. Teen CERT is open to county residents between the ages of 14 and 20 and adults over 21 who may be interested in serving as an adult leader. Interested participants are asked to RSVP for the Oct. 3 event by emailing teencert@mcsonj.org or by calling 732-431-7400, ext. 1801.
• On Oct. 7 from noon to 8 p.m., the Monmouth Council, Boy Scouts of America will celebrate its 100-year anniversary of serving boys and girls throughout Monmouth, Ocean and Middlesex counties with a Centennial Camp-o-ree featuring a scout skills demonstration, rides, food and entertainment. The event will take place at Quail Hill Scout Reservation, 56 La Valley Drive, Manalapan. All are welcome to attend and participate. Ride tickets may be ordered online at Monmouthbsa.org/100day
• The Heart of New Jersey Chorus singing group is looking for new members. For more information, call 732-446-9782.
• A meeting of the Monmouth County Retired Educators Association will be held at 11 a.m. Oct. 10 at the Double Tree Tinton Falls, 700 Hope Road, Eatontown. A meet and greet with candidates running for office will begin at 10:30 a.m. Members are requested to donate new white bath towels and wash cloths for the Ronald McDonald House in Long Branch as well as a non-perishable food donation for the food bank. New members are welcome. For reservations, contact Sue at 732 995-7754 or email sueshrott@gmail.com before Oct. 1.
• The Deep Cut Orchid Society will hold its annual orchid auction from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 23 at Dearborn Market, 2170 Route 35 South, Holmdel. Preview plants from 9:30-10 a.m. Orchids from growers in Ecuador, Brazil, Taiwan and the United States will be available for bidding. All are welcome to attend. Admission and parking are free. Cash, check and credit cards will be accepted.
• Basket and Bag Bingo will be presented by the Cookstown Volunteer Fire Co. No. 1 Ladies Auxiliary on Sept. 23 at the New Egypt Elks, 105 Lakewood Road (Route 528), New Egypt. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., Bingo starts at 7 p.m. Tickets: $30 per person. For tickets, call Karen Ivins at 609-668-2030.
• The Monmouth County Park System will host its Harvest Home Festival from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 24 at Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel. There will be wagon rides, games, live entertainment and Victorian era craft demonstrations. Visitors may enter a competition in vegetables, canning, condiments, baked goods, embroidery, quilting, rug hooking and more. Applications for the competition are available at www.MonmouthCountyParks.com or by calling 732-946-3758.
• Disabled American Veterans Chapter 74, Freehold, will meet at 7 p.m. Sept. 26 at the American Legion, 62 W. Main St. Freehold. Chapter members, DAV members-at-large who are seeking a chapter and veterans with disabilities who are seeking assistance and advice are welcome to attend the meeting. Dinner of pizza and subs is provided.
• The Villagers of Allentown will begin their new year at 10 a.m. Sept. 27 with a salad and ice cream social and silent auction. Guests are welcome to join the Villagers as they celebrate 50 years. The Villagers is a social, civic and charitable organization for women of all ages in the community and surrounding areas. The Villagers meet on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month at the first aid building on Waker Avenue Allentown. Details: 609-758-3711.
• Para-X will present “Behind the Veil” from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 30 at the Haunted Lodge on the Lake, East Brunswick Elks Lodge, 21 Oakmont Ave., East Brunswick. There will be access to paranormal groups, artists, merchandise vendors, psychic readings and a traveling museum of haunted artifacts. Meet Chris DiCeasare from SyFy, author of “Surviving an Extreme Haunting.” Admission is $5. Details: www.paraxbehindtheveil.wordpress.com or email thecrow12358@aol.com
• Steven Kristoph from Steven Kristoph Nursery, Millstone Township, will be the guest speaker at the Oct. 12 meeting of the Allentown Garden Club. He will offer advice about planting in dry shade and discuss which plants work best and how much the roots of trees can be disturbed without damaging them. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. at the Allentown Methodist Church, Church Street. All are welcome to attend. Details: www.AllentownGardenClub.net.
• Joan’s Reach will host its sixth annual Chili Cook-Off from 2-6 p.m. Oct. 14 at VFW Post 4374, 50 Waterworks Road, Freehold. Joan’s Reach raises awareness for perinatal hospice care and provides resources and support for families continuing a pregnancy with a life-limiting prenatal diagnosis. Tickets are $30 per adult, $5 per child (ages 4-12), or $60 per family (parents and immediate children). The cook-off will feature original chili dishes, beverages and additional food. Details: www.joansreach.org
• A Harvest Fest will be held at the Baird Homestead, 24 Baird Road, Millstone Township, from 12:30-3:30 p.m. Oct. 14. There will be face art, a pumpkin patch, arts and crafts, hay rides, a petting zoo and musical entertainment by students from Cornerstone Music Studios. Pumpkin and house tour with $5 admission. The event is sponsored by the Friends of Millstone Historic Registered Properties, the Millstone Township Historic Commission and the Millstone Township Agricultural Council. Details: www.mtfriendsofhistory.org
• The 22nd annual Monmouth County Archives and History Day will be held on Oct. 14 at the Monmouth County Library Headquarters, Manalapan. The event will focus on the history of Monmouth County inventors and innovators and will feature movie screenings and seminars for people of all ages. The deadline for New Jersey historical organizations to sign up for an exhibitor table is Oct. 2. Details: 732-308-3771.
• Marty’s Place Senior Dog Sanctuary, 118 Route 526, Upper Freehold Township, will host a Howl-O-Ween Family Fest from noon to 4 p.m. Oct. 22. Family dogs are welcome to attend. There will be a Ruff Mudder canine obstacle challenge, hay rides, a canine costume contest, a Kid’s Zone and more. Live music by Buntopia, food, vendors. Admission is free (a fee will be charged for some activities). Proceeds will be used for the care of Marty’s Place residents. Details: http://www.martysplace.org/
• The Ladies of St. Joseph Church, Millstone Township, will sponsor a trip to the World Trade Center, One World Observatory Freedom Tower, New York City, on Oct. 12. Bus leaves at 9:15 a.m. Lunch at Katz’s Deli. Visit to Freedom Tower follows lunch. This is mostly a walking tour. Bus returns to Millstone Township at 6 p.m. Cost: $110 per person. Details: Rosalie Fortunato, 732-490-5302.
• 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.
• 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 to gmntnews@newspapermediagroup.com. Please submit items at least two weeks prior to a scheduled event.
