• A tree lighting ceremony sponsored by the Allentown Economic Development Committee will be held at 5 p.m. Nov. 24 at Pete Sensi Park, across from the Old Mill. All are invited to attend the event.
• A meeting of the Monmouth County Retired Teachers Association will be held at 11 a.m. Dec. 11 at Shadowbrook, 1 Obre Place, Shrewsbury. Members are asked to bring non-perishable donations for the food bank and an unwrapped new book, toy or gift card for Bridges At The Shore. For luncheon reservations, contact Sue at 732 995-7754 or email sueshrott@gmail.com before Nov. 30. New members are always welcome.
• Community members are invited to attend a special event at the Allentown Public Library from 2-4 p.m. Nov. 4. The library will celebrate its continuing story from the 19th century to the 21st century and honor the Allentown Lions Club’s project of a community room, marking 100 years of Lions International; the New Jersey Historic Trust, which provided a grant to restore and rehabilitate the foyer of the former church that now houses the library; the Monmouth County Historical Society, for the digitization of the Messenger Press collection (1903-2008), and Joe Eisele, publisher, Newspaper Media Group, for assistance with the Messenger Press project.
• The Millstone Township Agricultural Advisory Council and the Millstone Township fire official will host an meeting for commercial farms and farms that house labor or invite the public onto the premises. The state is enforcing policies and fire officials will explain the rules and answer questions about what they look for when performing annual inspections of commercial farms. The meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 15 in the municipal court building, 215 Millstone Road. Details: Melissa Peerboom, 732-446-4249, ext. 1103.
• No Stigma Network invites community members to bowl for fun and funds to support its programs for young adults with mental health challenges. The event will be held from 6-8 p.m. Nov. 11 at Howell Lanes, Route 9, Howell. Bowl with friends and family members. There will be a gift auction. Tickets: $20 per person (includes two games, shoe rental, two slices of pizza, soft drink and snacks). To purchase tickets, visit www.nostigmanetwork.com or email nostigmanetwork@gmail.com
• The Heart of New Jersey Chorus presents “Jukebox Jingles” with special guests The Trentones at 2 p.m. Dec. 9 at the Millstone Township Primary School, 18 Schoolhouse Road, Millstone Township. Call for tickets, 732-474-8529, or online at https://honj.org/node/1659
• Michael Cassara will share his enthusiasm for cemetery research at the Nov. 11 meeting of the Monmouth County Genealogy Society at 1:30 p.m. at the Community Center, 72 Broad St., Eatontown. Cassara calls his approach “Cemetery Crowdsourcing.” The meeting is free and the public is welcome to attend. Details: 732-747-0090.
• Psychic, author and empath Linda Shields, known as “The Jersey Shore Medium,” will be at The Event Center at iPlay America, Freehold Township, on Nov. 14. Doors open at 5 p.m. Show begins 7 p.m. Ticket includes buffet and admission. Details: www.iplayamerica.com/event/jersey-shore-medium-linda-shields
• Vendors are wanted for a holiday boutique to be held at Old Tennent Presbyterian Church, Manalapan, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 10. Vendors should call by Oct. 26 to reserve a spot. Details: 732-446-6299.
• The Freehold Township Senior Center, 116 Jackson Mills Road, Freehold Township, will host a craft show from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 10. Tables are available for $15. There will be a variety of craft and holiday items. Details: 732-294-2029.
• The Allentown Public Library has announced that the Allentown afghans, which were created and sold by the Women’s Association of Allentown, are now available for the first time since 2008. The afghans were designed by Joanne Tourine and show nine historic structures, including the Imlay Mansion, Gov. Newell’s home, the Presbyterian Church, Abel Cafferty’s Mill house and the iconic mill and the Allentown Baptist Church that is now home to the library. The afghans are available in hunter green, cranberry and colonial blue. They are available for purchase at the library, 16 S. Main Street. All proceeds benefit the Allentown Public Library Association in support of the library building.
• 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@njexaminer.com. Please submit items at least two weeks prior to a scheduled event.
