• Monmouth Council, Boy Scouts of America will host a free event for boys in kindergarten and first grade from 1-5 p.m. Sept. 24 at the Quail Hill Scout Reservation, 54 La Valley Drive, Manalapan. This will be a fun event for families and siblings are welcome. Parents are asked to register at https://www.monmouthbsa.org/lty
• The Old Bridge Toastmasters will meet from 7:15-9 p.m. Sept. 27 at Sayre Woods Bible Church, 2290 Route 9 south, Old Bridge. The nonprofit organization helps with public speaking and leadership skills. There is no cost to attend. All are welcome. Details: Jeff Newman, 908-906-4926.
• 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
• All women are invited to the first general meeting of the Western Monmouth County Newcomers Club at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 27. The group is a social and civic club. Vist www.monmouthnewcomers.org or call Barbara at 732-780-7094 for more information.
• A barbecue to benefit the Texas families impacted by Hurricane Harvey will be held from noon to 2 p.m. Oct. 1 at the Old Tennent Presbyterian Church, 450 Tennent Road, Manalapan. Smoked BBQ chicken and ribs to go. All are welcome to attend. Details: 732-446-6299.
• 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.
• LADACIN Network will hold its annual Casino Night and Gift Auction at Eagle Oaks Golf and Country Club, Howell, at 6 p.m. Oct. 6. The event will support LADACIN’s mission of providing a continuum of care to infants, children and adults with complex physical and developmental disabilities and delays living in Monmouth and Ocean counties. Tickets are $75 and include a $60 chip voucher, buffet dinner and soft drinks. Advance purchase is required. Co-chairs are Bonnie Hogan of Neptune and Marlene Bell of Marlboro. Details: Cathy Claps, 732-493-5900, ext. 263.
• 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 Manalapan Board of Health will host flu vaccination clinics for residents age 12 and over on the following dates: Oct. 18, 9:30-10:30 a.m., Covered Bridge I clubhouse; Oct. 19, 1-2 p.m., municipal building; Oct. 24, 7-8 p.m., municipal building. Shots are free for seniors who present a Medicare Part B insurance card. The fee is $20 for all others, including any Medicare HMO plan. No pre-registration is necessary. Details: 732-446- 8345.
• Embroiderers’ Guild of America-Monmouth Chapter is dedicated to teaching and sharing the joys of needlework. Stitchers of all levels are welcome. Evening stitchers will meet from 7-9 p.m. Oct. 2 at the Colts Neck Library, 1 Winthrop Drive, Colts Neck. Day stitchers will meet from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 19 at the Colts Neck Library. Details: Toni, 732-462-5540, or www.mcega.org
• 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 Manalapan Medical Reserve Corps-Community Emergency Response Team will accept donations of clothing and household items from 9-11 a.m. Oct. 14 at the municipal building, Route 522. The following items will be accepted: clothing, garments and accessories; shoes; stuffed animals; towels, sheets, blankets, small rugs and mats; bicycles; small electric appliances (but not computers and the like); costumes, wigs and hats; some small furniture. Pick-up of items may be possible for residents who cannot get to the municipal building. Call the Health Department at 732-446-8345 for pick-up information.
• The Freehold Township Education Association is inviting the community to meet the residents who are running for seats on the Freehold Township K-8 School District Board of Education in the Nov. 7 election. Meet the Candidates Night will be held from 6:30-9 p.m. Oct. 12 at iPlay America, 110 Schanck Road, Freehold Township. Pizza, pasta and salad will be served at 6:30 p.m. The program will begin at 7 p.m. This event is for adults only.
• The Manalapan Board of Health will sponsor a free rabies immunization clinic for dogs and cats on Nov. 4 from 9-11:30 a.m. in the Manalapan Recreation Center, Route 522, at the new expansion building by Field K and the spray park (best entrance is the west entrance, not the main entrance). Dogs must be on a leash; cats must be in a carrier. Details: 732-446-8345.
• 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.
• 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
• The Old Bridge Toastmasters Club meets on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month from 7:15-9 p.m. at the Sayre Woods Bible Church, 2290 Route 9 South, Old Bridge. The club seeks to help individuals become better speakers and better leaders. There is no cost to attend a meeting and residents of all towns are welcome to attend. Details: 908-906-4926 or http://oldbridge.toastmastersclubs.org/
• Freehold Elks 1454 Motorcycle Committee, 73 E. Main St., Freehold, will hold a motorcycle raffle drawing party on Sept. 23 from 1-6 p.m. First prize is a 2016 Harley Davidson Fat Bob motorcycle. Tickets will be available the day of the drawing. Tricky tray raffle prizes, food, drink and live music. All are welcome. Details: 732-431-8707
• Freehold Elks Lodge 1454 Ladies Auxiliary, 73 E. Main St., Freehold, will host a roast pork dinner on Sept. 29 from 6-9 p.m. A complete dinner, including coffee and dessert, is $10 per person. All are welcome. Details: 732-431-8707.
• 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
• 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.
• Zoologist Robert Somes will present “The New Jersey Bald Eagle Project” at the Monmouth County Audubon Society meeting at 8 p.m. Oct. 11 at the Knights of Columbus hall, 200 Fair Haven Road, Fair Haven. The public is welcome; admission is free. Details: http://www.monmouthaudubon.org
• The Monmouth County Audubon Society will host an autumn bird walk on Oct. 14 on the Sandy Hook peninsula in northern Monmouth County. Meet at 10 a.m. in the parking lot by the now-closed visitors center. The peninsula attracts migrating raptors, shorebirds and songbirds due to the abundance of food and areas of suitable habitat. The walk is open to members and non-members of the Audubon Society and participation is free. Advance registration is not required. Details: http://www.monmouthaudubon.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.
• The Deep Cut Orchid Society meets at 7:30 p.m. on the second Tuesday of every month (Oct. 10) at the Monmouth Reform Temple, 332 Hance Ave., Tinton Falls. There is a speaker, refreshments and a discussion of plants on the show table. There is no cost to attend and everyone is welcome.
• St. Gabriel Church, Marlboro, will present its ninth comedy night with an all new lineup of New York City comedians on Oct. 19 at the Reception Center at St. Clement, Matawan. The evening includes dinner, a gift auction and a raffle. Doors open at 7 p.m. Cost is $45 per person. For reservations, email lorri827@optonline.net
• A fall family festival sponsored by the Old Ship of Zion Missionary Baptist Church, Monroe Township, and the First Presbyterian Church of Englishtown will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 30 at Old Ship of Zion, 629 Buckelew Ave. (Route 522), Monroe Township (on left before Tracy Station/Spotswood-Englishtown Road). The event is free and all are welcome to attend. Activities include a bounce house, pick and paint a pumpkin, and games. Food will be available. The rain date is Oct. 7.
• A free yoga class is offered every Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the Morganville United Methodist Church, 215 Conover Road, Marlboro. All are welcome. Bring a mat or a large towel. Details: 732-946-4247 or 732-536-2031.
• 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.
• Single Active Seniors (SAS) is a discussion and activity group for men and women over 55. SAS meets every Sunday at 12:30 p.m. in the Colts Neck Reformed Church, Route 537 West, Colts Neck (in the white building to the right of the church). Social activities are introduced and group participation is encouraged. There are no fees and all are welcome to attend. Details: Email jacq200@aol.com, subject line, SAS.
• The Freehold Borough K-8 School District Board of Education has made changes to its meeting schedule. The Oct. 9 and Oct. 23 board meetings are cancelled. The board will meet on Oct. 16 at the Freehold Learning Center, Dutch Lane Road.
• 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.
• The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance will meet in the spiritual center of St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, 1 Phalanx Road, Colts Neck, from 7:30-9 p.m. every Thursday. Details: 732-536-5826 or 732-320-0029.
Items for the Datebook may be sent to gmntnews@newspapermediagroup.com. Please send items at least two weeks prior to a scheduled event.
