• All women are invited to a breakfast club meeting of the Western Monmouth County Newcomers Club at 9:30 a.m. Oct. 17. The group is a social and civic club. Visit www.monmouthmewcomers.org or call Barbara at 732-780-7094 for additional details.
• Genealogist James Beidler will present “Contrasting German Migrations” at the 1:30 p.m. Nov. 12 meeting of the Monmouth County Genealogy Society at the Community Center, 72 Broad St., Eatontown. Beidler will discuss the two major waves of German migration to the United States. The program is free and the public is welcome. Details: 732-747-0090.
• Brookdale Community College, Route 520, Lincroft, will host the second annual Spark Invitational Food Truck Festival from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 14. There will be live music, eclectic food, vendors and family friendly activities. Funds raised at the event will support 90.5 The Night, Monmouth County’s only public radio station. Parking will be available in lot 6. Admission is $5 and includes a T-shirt, while supplies last. Children 12 and under are admitted for free. Pets are welcome. Details: www.90.5thenight.org/ foodtrucks
• The Friends of the Monmouth County Child Advocacy Center will host a 5K race and family fun run/walk, “Stomp Out Child Abuse,” at 9 a.m. Oct. 29 at Thompson Park, Preston Grove Pavilion, Route 520 (Newman Springs Road), Lincroft. Registration begins at 8 a.m. All ages, children included, are invited to participate. All proceeds will help the Friends support the Monmouth County Child Advocacy Center. To register, visit www.friendsofmccac.org
• The Autism MVP Walk, a day of family fun with activities for children, a 2-mile walk along a boardwalk and a post-event celebration, will be hosted by the Autism MVP Foundation on Nov. 5. Register at Leggett’s Sand Bar, 217 1st Avenue, Manasquan, at 9:30 a.m. Walk begins at 11 a.m. The post-event celebration starts at noon. Purchase tickets in advance at http://www.autismmvp.org/news-and-events.html or on-site. Cost is $30 for adults; $20 for students; and $10 for children 12 and under. Details: www.autismmvp.org
• Residents of Upper Freehold Township can meet Elliot Wiesner, the Democratic candidate for Township Committee, at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 24 at the Allentown First Aid Squad building, 70 Route 526, Allentown. This is a free event and light refreshments will be served.
• Thompson Park Day for all ages will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 15 at Thompson Park, 805 Newman Springs Road (Route 520), Lincroft. Activities include canoeing on Marlu Lake, children’ races, pie-eating contests, entertainment, pumpkin painting and more (some activities have a fee). Details: www.MonmouthCountyParks.com or call 732-842-4000.
• Marty’s Place Senior Dog Sanctuary, 118 Route 526, Upper Freehold Township, will host a Ruff Mudder canine obstacle challenge for dogs and their owners on Oct. 22. Owners will guide their dogs through 11 obstacles spread over a half-mile grass and gravel path with several potentially muddy areas. Suitable for dogs of all ages, sizes and abilities. Sign in at 10:30 a.m. Staggered start begins at 11 a.m. One dog is $20, each additional dog from the same family is $10. Spectators welcome. All proceeds benefit the canine residents of Marty’s Place. Details, registration forms and payment options: http://www.martysplace.org/ ruffmudder
• Grief Information, Education and Recovery Services will present a workshop from 1-4 p.m. Oct. 14 in Freehold Township, “Opportunities Not Obstacles.” Charles Fleisher, who was permanently injured in an automobile accident at age 18 which left him a quadriplegic, will teach attendees how to use challenges to get the most out of their business and personal life. The workshop is open to community members, healthcare professionals, caregivers, clergy and educators. To register, visit www.GIERS.org or call 732-577-1076.
• 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.
• The Heart of New Jersey Chorus singing group is looking for new members. For more information, call 732-446-9782.
• The Allentown Public Library will host a fall trivia night event at 7 p.m. Oct. 21 at the Allentown First Aid Squad headquarters. The cost is $15 per player, with $5 going to the cash prizes. Teams should register early to reserve a table. Teams can be any number of players. Call 609-259-7565 or visit the library during regular hours to sign up for trivia night.
• Vendors are being sought for a holiday boutique that will be held at the Old Tennent Presbyterian Church, Tennent Road, Manalapan, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 11. Crafts, jewelry, food and more. Vendors are asked to respond by Oct. 28. Details: 732-446-6299 or email ot.church@verizon.net
• Old Tennent Presbyterian Church, 448 Tennent Road, Manalapan, will host “Journey to Bethlehem,” a free Christmas drive-through, on its grounds from 6-8:30 p.m. Dec. 2-3. Live scenes will begin with Isaiah telling of Jesus’ birth and ending with the Nativity scene. To sponsor or participate, call 732-446-6299.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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/
• 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.
