• 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 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.
• 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.”
• 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 Jackson Library will host programs for adults during August. “Mindfulness Meditation: On Focused Awareness” will be held at 11 a.m. Aug. 24. This class is an invitation to practice mindful awareness, open to novice and skilled practitioners. Practice includes informational teachings, and sitting in silence. Seating is limited. “Evening Film” will be shown at 6 p.m. Aug. 27. Call 732-928-4400 for film information. “Coloring for Adults” will be held at 10 a.m. Aug. 28. Rediscover the joy of coloring. Supplies provided. Registration is required for these free programs; call 732-928-4400.
• “Healthy Eating on a Budget” will be the Tuesday Talk at the Howell Public Library, 318 Old Tavern Road, Howell, at 10 a.m. Aug. 21. Vinny Smith, a health educator for Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield New Jersey, and a retired school administrator, health and
physical education instructor, and coach, will highlight proper nutrition and servings size for health living, plus shopping tips and how to prepare before heading to the market. Details: www:monmouthcountylib.org
• Immanuel Bible Church, 1244 West Farms Road, Howell, will host a backpack give-away event for children in the community from 1-4 p.m. Aug. 18. Lunch will be served. Donations of school supplies are welcome. Immanuel Bible Church will host a bluegrass festival from 1-5 p.m. Sept. 22. Entertainment by Sonrise Mountain Revival and the IBC Worship Team. The festival is free and everyone is welcome to attend. There will be activities for the entire family. Details: 732-431-0299 to register.
• Ocean County veterans meet monthly to discuss relevant subjects and to plan recreation opportunities. Topics include the transition to civilian life, the VA system, substance use, PTSD/other mental health issues and more. The group meets at 6:30 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month at Journey to Wellness Center, 25 S. Shore Drive, Toms River. Details: 732-244-0940 or email johnny@re-calibrate.us
• 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.
• “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.
• 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.
• 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.
