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• The Italian American Association of Monmouth County will host La Befana on Jan. 7 from 1-4 p.m. at St. Robert Bellarmine Parish Hall, 61 Georgia Road, Freehold Township. The cost is $15 (ages 3-10) and $25 (adults) and includes a performance of the Legend of La Befana, buffet, coffee, tea, complimentary wine, baked goods and a goody bag for the children. Pranzo (lunch) will be served from 1-2:30 p.m. The play will start at 2:30 p.m. There will be an auction table, a 50/50 and Italian music. All are invited to attend. RSVP by Dec. 31. Download the form and information at www.iaaofmc.com. Details: Cheryl Scuorzo, 732-536-5832.
• The American Association of University Women Freehold Branch is accepting book donations for its 2018 book sale. With the exception of Reader’s Digest condensed books and textbooks, all books in good condition are appreciated. Books may be dropped off at the Freehold Savings Bank, 68 W. Main St., Freehold, on Tuesdays between 10 a.m. and noon, or contact Joan at 732-431-2297 for drop-off instructions. Proceeds from the AAUW book sale support scholarships for women returning to college and monetary awards for graduating female seniors from the six schools in the Freehold Regional High School District.
• The Shrewsbury Chorale welcomes singers (high school age and up) of all voice types to attend open rehearsals on Jan. 16 and Jan. 23 from 7:45-10 p.m. The repertoire ranges from classical to lighter fare. Rehearsals are held Tuesday evenings at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Monmouth County, 1475 West Front Street, Lincroft. Scores provided. Free. Call 732-747-1362 or visit www.shrewsburychorale.org. For auditions, call 609-686-9140.
• A program about substance abuse awareness and prevention will be held from 7-9 p.m. Jan. 23 in Old Scots Hall at Old Tennent Presbyterian Church, 448 Tennent Road, Manalapan. The program will be presented by the Manalapan-Englishtown Community Alliance to Prevent Alcoholism and Drug Abuse. The event is open to the public. Details: 732-446-6299 or www.oldtennent.org
• Solomon Schechter Day School of Greater Monmouth County, Marlboro, will hold a Winter Wonderland event on Jan. 21 from 4:30-6 p.m. for students in grades five through eight. The $5 admission includes music, games, dinner and snacks. All area students who attend a Jewish day school or are a member of any synagogue or Jewish youth group are invited to attend. Advance registration is required. RSVP to linda@schechtergmc.com and provide name, grade, school, youth group, address and phone number.
• The Manalapan-Englishtown Regional School District Board of Education will hold its 2018 reorganization meeting at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 2 at the district offices at 54 Main St., Englishtown. The board will hold a regular action meeting at 7 p.m. Jan. 16 at the Milford Brook School, Globar Terrace, Manalapan. Both meetings are open to the public.
• Area residents interested in forming a Bridge playing group may contact Christy Kramer by text or phone at 732-492-7322, or email at kramchri@yahoo.com. The group would be open to all ages, males and females. The goal would be to meet once a week on a regular schedule. A possible location for the group to meet is in Millstone Township.
• Birder and wildlife photographer Kevin Watson will present his program, “Travels in Peru,” at the 8 p.m. Jan. 10 meeting of the Monmouth County Audubon Society at the Knights of Columbus hall, 200 Fair Haven Road, Fair Haven. The public is welcome; admission is free. Details: http://www.monmouthaudubon.org
• New Jersey Blood Services will conduct a blood drive at Dunkin Donuts, 14 Wilson Ave., Englishtown, from 1-7 p.m. Dec. 28. The blood drive is open to the public. All blood types are needed, but especially O Negative. Details: 1-800-933-2566 or www.nybloodcenter.org
• The Monmouth County Archives Division’s exhibit, “New Jersey in Focus: Inventors and Innovators in Monmouth County,” is on display on the lower level of the Monmouth County Library Headquarters, 125 Symmes Road, Manalapan. The exhibit highlights renowned and obscure inventions and their inventors. A catalog for the exhibit was created and is available for view and download at http://www.MonmouthCountyClerk.com/Archives
• The First Baptist Church of Freehold, 81 W. Main St., holds a prayer and meditation program from 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. every Wednesday. The church will be open for quiet contemplation and soft music. There will be a 15-minute prayer service starting at 12:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome to attend the free service. Details: 732-462-1105.
• A New Year’s Eve dinner dance will be held by the Old Bridge Columbian Club at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 31 at 61 Pine Street, Old Bridge. Admission is $57 per person (in advance only). Music of the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s and more. Party hats and streamers provided. For reservations, call 908-510-5693 or 732-707-3417.
• St. Thomas More Parish, 186 Gordons Corner Road, Manalapan, is offering a women’s bible study program. Registration in ongoing. The program aims to bring women to a closer relationship with Christ. Details: Email Christine Melilli at cmelilli12@gmail.com or call 732-778-4933.
• The Noontime Optimist Club of Freehold is beginning its 29th year of community service to the area, with the focus on youth (scholarships, spelling bees, essay contests, fishing derbies, holiday gifts, helping out at the local soup kitchen and supporting Camp Quality, a camp for children with cancer). New members are invited to join the club. Details: 732-431-3989 or email cdrprr@aol.com
• The Ms. New Jersey Senior America Pageant 2018 is seeking contestants age 60 and over. Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City will host the pageant on June 6. There are four judging categories: Evening Gown; Philosophy of Life; Talent; and Judges Interview. The winner will participate in the Ms. Senior America Pageant 2018. Individuals interested in becoming a contestant may contact Terry Meade at 609-443-3039, 908-216-8534 or via email at tbm5201@aol.com
• Monmouth County college-bound art students are invited to apply for the 2018 Elaine Smith Memorial Art Scholarship. To apply, search online for Elaine Smith Memorial Art Scholarship and download the application. The application deadline is Jan. 31. Details: Merrill Tilker, Around the Corner Art Center, 732-308-4666.
• Disabled American Veterans Chapter 74, Freehold, will meet at 7 p.m. Jan. xx 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 Deep Cut Orchid Society meets at 7:30 p.m. on the second Tuesday of every month 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.
• 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 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/
• 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.
• 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.
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