• The Jackson Memorial High School Jaguar Band will host its annual competition, “Showcase of Champions,” on Oct. 7 at Jack Munley Field (behind the high school) beginning at 5 p.m. This year, 14 bands from across New Jersey will perform, including the Jackson Liberty High School Lion Marching Band and the Jaguar Marching Band. There will be food, vendors and a gift basket raffle. All are welcome to attend the competition. Admission is $10.
• Jackson VFW Post 4703 Auxiliary will host a personalized holiday paint party on Nov. 5. The party will include lunch, dessert, beverages, paint supplies and instructions on how to paint a personalized snowman picture. The cost is $40 and all proceeds will benefit local veterans and their families. Contact Kathy at 732-674-5175 or email KathyC778@aol.com to reserve a place.
• The Ramtown-Howell Fire Company, 88 Ramtown-Greenville Road, Howell, will hold its annual open house from 6-8 p.m. Oct. 11 during Fire Prevention Week. Firefighters will be at the fire station along with Sparky the Fire Dog and Buster from the Lakewood BlueClaws. All are welcome to stop by and say hello. Refreshments will be served. Details: Jim Gaul, 732-458-0222.
• The Jackson Rotary Club will sponsor a Christmas show bus trip to the Tropicana Casino, Atlantic City, on Dec. 11. The cost of $65 includes bus, beverages on bus, Christmas show ticket, dinner buffet, $15 in slot play and gratuity for the driver.
Bus will leave Jackson at 10:30 a.m. and return at 7:45 p.m. All proceeds from the trip will go to the club’s charities. To make a reservation, call Tom Barchie, 732-207-4029 or 732-849-6309.
• The Jackson Library will present Maker Monday! Homemade Sugar Scrub at 2 p.m. Oct. 23. Participants will make a small jar of sugar scrub with herbs and essential oils. Supplies provided. The program is for adults (18 and over). Registration opens Oct. 4. Details: 732-928-4400.
• To commemorate the 500th anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation, the Jackson Library will present a lecture and interfaith dialogue with Tia Kolbaba, Department of Religion, Rutgers University, at 2 p.m. Oct. 12. Kolbaba will discuss the impact of the reformation on current day Christianity. The program is free and open to the public. Register now by calling 732-928-4400.
• The Jackson Library, 2 Jackson Drive, Jackson, is offering free career building programs for job seekers. All are welcome. Advance registration is required. Programs are: Oct. 16, 7-8 p.m., Career Connection: Dress for Success; Oct. 17, 10 a.m. to noon, New Jersey Career Connections: Navigating the Path to Employment; Oct. 25, 6-8:30 p.m., Job Fair, open to all; Oct. 30, 2-4 p.m., Top-Notch Resumes II – Advanced. To register for a program, call 732-928-4400.
• The 11th annual “Golf with Dennis” event will be held on Oct. 16 at the Pine Barrens Golf Club in Jackson. The event is dedicated to the life and memory of U.S. Army 1st Lt. Dennis W. Zilinski II, who was killed in Iraq on Nov. 19, 2005. Proceeds from the event will be used to support the mission of the Lt. Dennis W. Zilinski Memorial Fund. Shotgun start at 10 a.m. To receive an application to support the event, email runwithdennis@yahoo.com, download the application at www.Runwithdennis.org or call 732-431-1713.
• 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 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.
• 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.
• Healing medium Anysia Marcell Kiel will present an author talk and book signing for adults at 2 p.m. Oct. 21 at the Jackson Library. Kiel will share her experience teaching people how to clear illnesses and ailments in a non-invasive, peaceful way. The program is free and advance registration is required. Call 732-928-4400 to register.
• Meditation with Visualization: An Intermediate Practice for adults will take place from 2:30-3:30 p.m. Oct. 28 at the Jackson Library. Meditation practitioner Shazia Zaman will share tips and techniques on visualizing during meditation. Wear comfortable clothing and socks. Seating is limited. The program is free and advance registration is required (registration begins Sept. 25). Call 732-928-4400 to register.
• 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
• 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 Heart of New Jersey Chorus is seeking new members who love to sing and perform. Interested individuals are invited to attend a rehearsal. The chorus rehearses at 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays. Details: 732-446-9782.
• Create shrink plastic earrings in a feather design at 2 p.m. Oct. 20 at the Jackson Library. The program is for adults (18 and over). Supplies will be provided. Registration opens Oct. 2. Details: 732-928-4400.
• 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
• 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 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.
Items for the Datebook may be sent to gmntnews@newspapermediagroup.com. Please submit items at least two weeks prior to a scheduled event.
