• The Monmouth County Genealogy Society will host “Irish Surnames and Place Names in Irish Genealogy” presented by Micheal O’Maille, Irish scholar and seanachai (a traditional Irish story teller) at 1:30 p.m. Sept. 9 at the Community Center, 72 Broad St.,
Eatontown. The meeting is free and open to the public. Details: 732-747-0090.
• The Colts Neck Reformed Church, 139 Route 537, Colts Neck, will host a blood drive for the Central Jersey Blood Center on Sept. 26 from 3:30-8:30 p.m. Call the church
during the week at 732-462-4555 to schedule a time to donate, or contact the Central Jersey Blood Center at www.cjbcblood.org/ to arrange a donation time.
• The Colts Neck Reformed Church, 139 Route 537, Colts Neck, will hold its annual Election Day Luncheon, Dinner and Craft Bazaar on Nov. 6. Tickets for the lunch and dinner (featuring a turkey meal) will be available for purchase beginning Oct. 9. All are welcome to attend. Proceeds to benefit the ongoing benevolence program of the church. Details:
732-462-4555.
• The Heart of New Jersey Chorus is holding open guest nights during September. The chorus rehearses every Wednesday from 7:30-10 p.m. at the Millstone Township Primary School, 18 Schoolhouse Road, Millstone Township. Details: 732-446-9782.
• A dental health program presented by Tender Smiles 4 Kids will be held on Aug. 23 at 3:30 p.m. at the Freehold Public Library, East Main Street, Freehold Borough. Families/children are invited to attend and will receive information and give-aways. Details: 732-462-5135.
• “Books & Bunnies,” an opportunity for children to read to rabbits, will occur on Aug. 24 at 3:30 p.m. at the Freehold Public Library, East Main Street, Freehold Borough. Presented by the library and the Monmouth County 4-H 14 Carrot Rabbit Club. Details: 732-462-5135.
• Comedian, singer and pianist Steven “Sarge” Pickman will perform at Congregation Ahavat Olam, Howell, at 2 p.m. Oct. 14. The event is open to the public. Tickets may be purchased by calling 732-333-1299. Tickets are $18 for general admission; $36 for priority reserved seating; and $54 for premium reserved seating. There will be a meet and greet reception prior to the show which includes sponsorship seating in the first three rows for $108 (a block of four tickets must be purchased). Pickman will be available after the show to sell and autograph his book “Black Boychik.”
• Golden Years Design Benefits, 55 Schanck Road, Suite A-14, Freehold Township, will host a presentation about Medicare and secondary options at 10:30 a.m. Aug. 21. Details: 732-526-7659.
• The Monmouth County Park System will host an Eco-Elephant Family Flea Market from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 18 at Dorbrook Recreation Area, Route 537, Colts Neck. There will be household, vintage, repurposed, refurbished, sustainable, and arts and crafts items available for purchase from vendors. All are welcome to attend.
• The Deep Cut Orchid Society will hold its annual orchid auction on Oct. 6 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with plant preview available from 9:30-10 a.m., at Monmouth Park racetrack, 175 Oceanport Avenue, Oceanport. Orchids from growers in Ecuador, Brazil, Taiwan and the United States will be available for bidding. Admission and parking is free. A hot and cold buffet will be available for $16 per person. Visit deepcutorchidsociety.org for additional information and to RSVP.
• The Martha Mary Guild of the Parish of St. Mary’s in Colts Neck, corner of Route 34 and Phalanx Road, will hold its annual sale on Sept. 6 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sept. 7 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sept. 8 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be men’s, women’s and children’s clothing, shoes and accessories, plus a boutique with new and designer items, and an assortment of linens. The fundraiser benefits organizations that assist women and children.
• Embroiderers’ Guild of America-Monmouth Chapter is dedicated to teaching and sharing the joys of needlework. Stitchers of all levels are welcome to attend a meeting. There are sit-and-stitch tables, as well as special projects. Evening stitchers will meet Sept. 17 from 7-9 p.m. at the Colts Neck Library, 1 Winthrop Drive, Colts Neck. Day stitchers will meet Sept. 20 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Colts Neck Community Church, 25 Merchant Way, Colts Neck. Details: Toni, 732-462-5540, or www.mcega.org
• A Jersey Job Club Workshop will be offered at the Monmouth County Library
Headquarters, 125 Symmes Drive, Manalapan, at 11 a.m. Aug. 22. The hour-long program will focus on the emotional impact of job loss and offer ways to effectively achieve job search results. The program is offered at no charge and no reservations are necessary. Details: www:monmouthcountylib.org
• The 2018 Discussion Series will continue from 7:30-9:30 p.m. Aug. 28 with a presentation by journalist and author Carol Abaya about “The Sandwich Generation,” adults who care for their aging parents. The presentation is sponsored by Kathy Lo Bue, managing director, Glen Eagle Advisors, and takes place at the Co-Cathedral of St. Robert Bellarmine, 61 Georgia Road, Freehold Township. Adults of all ages are invited. The series is free, nonsectarian and open to the community. RSVP to 732-866-6660.
• The Freehold Memorial Day Parade Committee, in conjunction with Jersey Freeze, Freehold, is having a fundraiser. On Aug. 21, Jersey Freeze will donate 20 percent of a guest’s pre-tax check to the committee to assist in putting on the 145th Memorial Day parade in 2019. Present the flier or tell the server you are there to support the fundraiser when you pay. The flier can be used for food and ice cream. Visit www.freeholdmemorialdayparade.com to download the flier.
• Old Brick Church, Route 520, Marlboro, is accepting donations for its Sept. 15 Trash & Treasure Sale and Flea Market. The following items will be accepted: small pieces of
furniture, holiday decorations, jewelry and accessories, “good” clutter from attics and basements. No clothing at this time. Flea market spaces are available to the public for $15. Details: Contact the church office at 732-946-8860 or Sharon at 732-264-3046.
• Families/children are invited to “Be the Sea Change” at 3:30 p.m. Aug. 16 at the Freehold Public Library, East Main Street, Freehold. Discover meaningful ways to protect the Earth’s oceans in this program based on the children’s book “Sea Change” by Joel Harper and Erin O’Shea. Presented by Clean Ocean Action. Details: 732-462-5135.
• The Manalapan-Englishtown Regional School District Board of Education will hold a regular action meeting at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 21 at the district offices at 54 Main St., Englishtown. The meeting is open to the public.
• Temple Beth Ahm, 550 Lloyd Road, Aberdeen, will host monthly meet and greet events on Aug. 29, Sept. 26, Oct. 31, Nov. 28 and Dec. 26 at 7:30 p.m. Guests are welcome to come and learn about the synagogue. Refreshments will be served. Details: Email info@templebethahm.org or call 732-583-1700.
• The Monmouth County Audubon Society will host a bird walk to look for nesters and shorebirds on Sandy Hook in northern Monmouth County on Aug. 16, starting at 6 p.m. Meet at 6 p.m. in parking lot M (the northernmost parking lot on Sandy Hook, 5.7 miles from the entrance gate). The event is open to members and non-members of the Audubon Society, and participation is free. Advance registration is not required. Details: www.monmouthaudubon.org or info@monmouthaudubon.org
• Saint Gabriel’s Church, Marlboro, will host a juried craft and vendor fair on Nov. 11 from
10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Prospective vendors should send name, business name, email, mailing address, phone number and a description of their work with four to six high-quality photos demonstrating sample crafts and wares and table set-ups to Julia A. Oliver at
jo1216@optonline.net. The table fee is $45. Vendors should not mail payment until they are notified they have been selected to participate.
• The Colts Neck Library, 1 Winthrop Drive, Colts Neck, will host a classical concert presented by flutist Marjorie Koharski and guitarist Keith Calmes at 7 p.m. Aug. 30. The event is free, all are welcome and registration is not required. The duo will play pieces by composers Joseph Haydn and Mauro Giuliani, and premiere a work by French composer Jean-Maurice Mourat that he dedicated to the pair. Details: 732-431-5656.
• “Bugs, Birds and Beyond,” a free festival for children of all ages, will be presented at the Monmouth County Agriculture Building, 4000 Kozloski Road, Freehold Township, from noon to 4 p.m. Aug. 18 (rain or shine). “Penguins on Parade!” will be presented by Jenkinson’s Aquarium. There will be educational displays, activities, games and crafts. Live butterflies, snakes, turtles, rabbits, insects, bees and more. Details: 732-303-7614 or 732-431-7260, ext. 7264.
• The fifth annual PJ Library Summer Carnival will take place at The Hebrew Academy (formerly Solomon Schechter Day School), Marlboro, from 10-11:30 a.m. Aug. 19. The carnival will feature pony rides, a petting zoo, games, face-painting, prizes, snacks and more. A PJ Library Carnival Enrollment Special will also be offered. RSVP is required. Admission to the carnival is free. To RSVP, contact Linda Glickstein at 732-431-5525.
• Monmouth Worship Center, 37 Vanderburg, Marlboro, will present its annual Vacation Bible School. With this year’s theme, “Shipwrecked, Rescued by Jesus,” children will discover that Jesus rescues. Vacation Bible School will run from Aug. 20-24, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., for children in kindergarten through sixth grade. Registration fee is $20 per child and includes all supplies, snacks and special gifts every day. Call 732-332-9600 to obtain a registration form.
• The Manalapan-Englishtown Community Alliance to Prevent Alcoholism and Drug Abuse will host its annual Project Zero car show on Aug. 20 from 6-8 p.m. at Manalapan High School, 30 Church Lane, Manalapan. A free ice cream sundae will be offered to the first 500 participants and attendees. During the event, the alliance will present a short program and allow the community to come together to remember individuals lost to addiction. There is no cost to participate as a car show participant or spectator. On-site registration will be accepted pending space starting at 5 p.m. Registration forms for car show participants are available at www.projectzeromanalapan.org or www.mtnj.org, or call 732-446-8345.
• Golden Years Design Benefits will hold a Medicare workshop at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 23 at the Colts Neck Library, 1 Winthrop Drive, Colts Neck. The purpose of the event is to educate seniors about Medicare, how to apply, explain what Medicare covers, secondary coverage options, and the Part D prescription drug program. The event is strictly educational with no solicitation. Details: 732-526-7659.
• Old Freehold Day will take place from noon to 5 p.m. Aug. 18 at Lake Topanemus, Pond Road, Freehold Township. There will be activities for all ages, vendors, entertainment, boating, and more. Residents of all communities are welcome to attend.
• Join the Monmouth County Park System for Enviro-Quest. Meeting each week at a different county park, this nature program is fun, easy and free. Start in the parking lot and follow the Enviro-Quest signs to where the park system naturalist is waiting. Once there, join in activities, crafts or games for 30 to 60 minutes of nature fun. The partial schedule is as follows: Aug. 30, 11 a.m. to noon, Turkey Swamp Park, Freehold Township, meet at the Oak Point Picnic Shelter. Details: www.MonmouthCountyParks.com or 732-842-4000.
• The 28th annual St. Thomas Rosary Society Giant Flea Market, in memory of Marco Guarino, will be held from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Aug. 18 in the church parking lot, 1 St. Thomas Plaza, off Route 18 south, Old Bridge. Rain date is Aug. 25. All are welcome to attend.
• The 28th annual St. Thomas Rosary Society Giant Flea Market, in memory of Marco Guarino, will be held from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Aug. 18 in the church parking lot, 1 St. Thomas Plaza, off Route 18 south, Old Bridge. Rain date is Aug. 25. Spaces are $15 for one or $25 for two. Table rentals are $5 each. No refunds. No selling of food or drink concessions permitted. All trash must be removed. To RSVP, call Charlotte Guarino at 732-257-0721.
• Discover a variety of fish, crabs and other sea creatures when the Monmouth County Park System hosts Seining Along Sandy Hook Bay at Bayshore Waterfront Park, Port Monmouth, Middletown, from 11 a.m. to noon, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, June 25 through Aug. 24. This program invites area residents to join park system naturalists as they seine the water and identify the aquatic creatures caught. This free program is open to all ages, under 18 with adult. Participants should meet on the beach. Closed-toe shoes are required. Details: 732-842-4000.
• Embroiderers’ Guild of America-Monmouth Chapter is dedicated to teaching and sharing the joys of needlework. Stitchers of all levels are welcome to attend a meeting. There will be day stitch-ins at the Colts Neck Library from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 16. Details: Toni, 732-462-5540, or www.mcega.org
• Disabled American Veterans Chapter 74, Freehold, will meet at 7 p.m. July 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 Manalapan-Englishtown Community Alliance to Prevent Alcoholism and Drug Abuse has launched its Project Zero website at projectzeromanalapan.com. Project Zero is the alliance’s initiative to reset the narrative in Englishtown and Manalapan regarding substance abuse. The website contains information about where residents can go for assistance.
• 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@thenewstranscript.com. Please send items at least two weeks prior to a scheduled event.
