• The New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Foundation’s Memorial Day Ceremony will take place on May 28 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 1 Memorial Lane, Holmdel, Exit 116 off the Garden State Parkway. The Vietnam Era Museum and Educational Center will be open to the public free of charge from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. An “In Memory” program will honor those who served in Vietnam and returned home, but later died as a result of their tour. All are welcome to attend the ceremony.
• Saint Monica’s community yard sale will be held from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 2 at the Switlik School parking lot (new location), 75 W. Veterans Highway, Jackson. Vendor setup from 7-8 a.m. Vendor prices: 10-foot space, $15; two spaces, $25. Vendors and crafters welcome. All proceeds benefit needed repairs at St. Monica Church. Donations to the church are also accepted. To reserve a space, call Alice at 732-833-0542.
• Howell Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9691 and Auxiliary will hold Memorial Day services with Farmingdale American Legion Post 178 on May 28 at 11 a.m. at the former Howell municipal complex on Preventorium Road, and at 11:30 a.m. at Lutz Park, Main Street, Farmingdale.
• The Jackson Diner, 21 South Hope Chapel Road, Jackson, will celebrate its 10th anniversary from 2-11 p.m. June 1. All are invited to the event. Tickets (cash only) will be sold on May 26-27 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Jackson Diner. Pre-sale tickets: Adults, $10; Seniors, $8; Children (2-12), $5. Tickets on day of event: Adults $12; Seniors, $9; Children (2-12), $6. Guests are asked to dress in 1950s attire. The celebration will include entertainment, a food and beverage station, dancing, games, giveaways, face painting, balloon twisting, goody bags for children, a Hula Hoop contest, a Twist contest, Name That Tune, Freeze Dance, Best Dressed and an outdoor movie at sundown.
• The Monmouth County Audubon Society will host a summer evening bird walk on Sandy Hook in northern Monmouth County at 6 p.m. June 21. Anyone interested in participating in the event can meet at 6 p.m. in the parking lot of the old Sandy Hook Visitors Center, just north of Lot E (1.8 miles from the park entrance). The trip is open to members and non-members of the Audubon Society and participation is free. Advance registration is not required. Dress appropriately for the weather. Insect repellent is recommended. The walk will take place light rain or shine. Pets are not permitted. Details: Email info@monmouthaudubon.org
• The Jackson Library will host a question and answer session about “What is MyPI?,” a summer camp to teach teens about natural disaster preparation. The session will take place at 6 p.m. May 29. The MyPI Camp will run from June 25 to Aug. 13 at the library (16
hours of instruction over eight weeks). The camp will instruct teens about fire safety, search and rescue, weather conditions, basic wound care and more. Interested teens will be able to register for the camp on May 29. Those unable to attend on May 29 may contact Teen Services Librarian Carolyn Aversano at caversano@theoceancountylibrary.org to obtain an application. Registration is required for the May 29 session. Details: 732-928- 4400.
• All branches of the Ocean County Library will be closed May 27-28 in observance of Memorial Day. All branches will reopen May 29. Beginning May 27, all branches of the library will be closed Sundays until Sept. 9. Patrons may use the library’s online resources, including databases, ebooks, emagazines, and online classes which are available through theoceancountylibrary.org
• The Jackson Library will host “All About Autism: A Discussion and Support Group for Caretakers” at 6:30 p.m. May 30. The support group is now meeting on this new date and time. “All About Autism” is a discussion and support group for those whose lives are affected by autism. Teen volunteers will run supervised activities for children 12 years old and younger. Attendees should advise when registering whether they will bring children.
Registration is required for this free event. Details: Wendi Smolowitz, 732-928- 4400, ext. 4.
• The Jackson Rotary Club will sponsor a bus trip to the Tropicana Casino, Atlantic City, on June 24. Cost of the trip is $34, includes transportation, sandwich and beverage on bus, $25 in slot play from the casino, and gratuity for driver. Bus will leave from Brookwood Plaza at noon and return to Jackson at 9 p.m. Proceeds to benefit Rotary Club charities. To reserve a space, contact Tom Barchie at 732-207-4029 or 732-849-6309.
• The Cream Ridge Cemetery Association will hold its annual meeting at 7 p.m. May 30 at the New Egypt firehouse, 59 Main St. New Egypt. All lot owners are invited to attend the meeting. Details: 609-758-8663.
• A meeting of the Monmouth County Retired Educators Association will be held at 11 a.m. June 5 at the Spring Lake Manor, Spring Lake. Installation of officers will take place. The annual philanthropic award will be presented. The association is collecting backpacks and school supplies for Bridges At The Shore for distribution prior to the upcoming school year, as well as non-perishable donations for the local food bank. For luncheon reservations, contact Sue at 732 995-7754 or email sueshrott@gmail.com before May 25. New members are always welcome.
• The Fighting HARD Foundation, helping children who Have A Rare Disease or chronic illness, will accept donations of clothing and shoes from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 3 at Soldier Memorial Park, Lakewood-Farmingdale Road, Howell. Items that will be accepted include adult and children’s clothing, shoes, sneakers, jackets, coats, stuffed animals, blankets, handbags, towels, linens. Details: info@fightinghardfoundation.org
• Marty’s Place Senior Dog Sanctuary, Upper Freehold Township, will host a flea market, craft sale and garage sale from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. June 23. All are welcome to attend; admission is free. Proceeds will benefit the senior dogs who reside at Marty’s Place.
A list of some of the items being sold will be available at http://www.martysplace.org beginning in early June. Individuals, families, organizations, crafters or businesses interested in participating may contact julpetitt@aol.com for more information.
• The Jackson Library, 2 Jackson Drive, Jackson, will host “ReferenceUSA Business Networking Breakfast” from 9:30-11 a.m. May 30. Bill Loges of ReferenceUSA will teach attendees how to gain a competitive advantage to dominate their market. He will demonstrate how to develop a client list and more with the help of the Ocean County Library. A light breakfast will be served. Registration is required for this free event. To register, call 732-928-4400.
• The Monmouth County Board of Elections is seeking poll workers. To qualify, an individual must be a registered voter in Monmouth County and attend a poll worker training class. Individuals will be paid $200 for working a primary election or a general election. Call 732-431-7802, ext. 7150 to register for a training class.
• 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 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.
