• Breakfast Bingo will be held at Bartley Healthcare, Jackson, at 8:30 a.m. March 23. Use the back door to access the multipurpose room where the event will be held. There will be bingo and a buffet breakfast. RSVP by March 20 to Lindsay Constantino, 732-370-4700, ext. 1368. Seats are limited.
• Howell American Youth Football and Cheerleading is holding fall youth football and cheerleading registration online at www.howell-ayfc.org. Sign up in March and take advantage of a payment plan. Programs offered: tackle Football, 7U, 8U, 9U, 10U, 11U, 12U, 14U; flag football, 5- and 6-year-olds; competitive cheerleading, all ages; game day cheerleading, all ages; NFL spring flag football, all ages, sign-up are open now.
• A meeting of the Monmouth County Retired Educators Association will be held April 10 at Branches, 123 Monmouth Road, West Long Branch. A members benefit fair is scheduled before the general meeting, beginning at 10 a.m. Members are asked to bring a non-perishable donation for the local food bank. For luncheon reservations, contact Sue at 732 995-7754 or email sueshrott@gmail.com before March 30. New members are always welcome.
• The Jackson Library will host several free tax assistance sessions provided by members of AARP. Sessions will take place on the following dates from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.: March 15, March 22, March 29, April 5 and April 12. Attendees must bring previous years’ returns, photo ID, Social Security or ITIN card and all relevant documents related to the tax years to be prepared. There is no age requirement and an appointment is required. To make an appointment, call 732-928-4400, ext. 3808.
• The Jackson Library, 2 Jackson Drive, Jackson, will collect donations for animal shelters in Ocean County throughout March. Items in great need include blankets and towels, dry and wet dog and cat food, sturdy dog toys, cat toys, Purina Kitten Chow, Baby Cat (kibble for kittens) and Blue Buffalo basic dry cat food for sensitive digestion.
• The Jackson Library will host weekly meetings of the Knit-Chat-Chain volunteers on the following dates: March 19, 6:30-8:30 p.m., March 26, 10 a.m. to noon, April 2, 6:30-8:30 p.m., April 9, 10 a.m. to noon, April 16, 6:30-8:30 p.m., April 23, 10 a.m. to noon, April 30, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Individuals who like to knit or crochet can brush up on an old skill or learn a new one and make new friends. Details: 732-928- 4400.
• Girl Scout Brownie Troop 948, Howell, will hold a garage sale fundraiser from 8 a.m. to noon March 24 at 22 Bunker Hill Drive, Howell. Children’s toys, clothes, household items, books and more.
• No Stigma Network (NSN) offers free peer support meetings and social events for community members living with mental health challenges. Meetings take place in the Star and Barry Tobias Ambulatory Campus at the CentraState Health Complex, Freehold Township. NSN Young Adults (18-30) support group will meet from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 17 in in the Health and Wellness Center. NSN Adults Over-30 support group will meet from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 17 in the Jack Aaronson Conference Center. NSN Parents support group will meet from 7-9 p.m. March 16 in the Jack Aaronson Conference Center. Details: Visit nostigmanetwork.com, email nostigmanetwork@gmail.com or call Shrabanee, 732-533-7632, or Linda, 732-939-2092.
• Jackson Rotary Club will sponsor a bus trip to the Tropicana Casino, Atlantic City, on April 22. The cost of $34 includes bus transportation, sandwich and beverage, $25 in slot play from the casino and gratuity for the driver. The bus will leave Jackson at noon and return at 9 p.m. Proceeds will assist Rotary Club charities. For reservations, call Tom Barchie at 732-207-4029 or 732-849-6309.
• Siloam United Methodist Church, 67 Siloam Road (Route 527), Freehold Township, will host its annual corned beef and cabbage dinner (and more) from 4-6 p.m. March 17. Dinner is buffet style, all you can eat. Residents of all towns and all ages are welcome to attend. The donation is $14 for adults and $7 for children 12 and under. Details: 732-928-0193 or 848-525-5883 (day of event).
• The Shrewsbury Chorale will hold a giant indoor garage sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 17 at the First United Methodist Church, 103 Monmouth Road, Oakhurst. There will be hndreds of items, plus baked goods. Details: 732-747- 1362.
• Designer Handbag Bingo will be held at 7 p.m. March 23 at the Southard firehouse, 4611 Route 9, Howell. The event will benefit CONTACT of Ocean and Monmouth Counties’ 24/7 crisis intervention and suicide prevention hotline. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Sandwiches, snacks and non-alcoholic beverages are welcome. Tickets: $30 in advance; $35 at the door (cash only). No one under 18 admitted. Tickets can be purchased online at Designer Handbag Bingo – March 23, 2018. Details: 732-240-6104 or email contactofoceanco@aol.com
• Basket and Bag Bingo will be presented by the Cookstown Volunteer Fire Co. No. 1 Ladies Auxiliary on April 14 at the New Egypt Elks Lodge, 105 Lakewood Road (Route 528), New Egypt. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Bingo starts promptly at 7 p.m. Tickets are $30 per person. Call Karen Ivins at 609-668-2030 for tickets and more information.
• The Fresh Air Fund is seeking area residents who would like to host a child this summer through the fund’s Friendly Towns Program. The children participate in activities with their host family during their stay. The Fresh Air Fund has provided free summer experiences to more than 1.8 million New York City children from low-income communities since 1877. Children are boys and girls, ages 7 to 18. Details: Karen Medlin, 732-740-0449, or visit www.freshair.org
• 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
• 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.
• 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 news@thetritownnews.com. Please submit items at least two weeks prior to a scheduled event.
