• A program about honeybees will be presented at the Howell Library, 318 Old Tavern Road, at 6:30 p.m. May 28. Angela Nina Juffey, a retired teacher and secretary of the Central Jersey Beekeepers Association, will present the program. The free program is co-sponsored by the Howell Township Organic Community Gardeners. Registration for the program is requested and available through http://tinyurt.com/y4n48yw9
• The Jackson Library will host a “Fighting Fraud” seminar at 1 p.m. June 4. Learn how to not get scammed. Fraud and other criminal scams prey on potential victims through phone call, emails and other means. Registration is required for this free event. To register, call 732-928-4400.
• Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ) will sponsor a town meeting about Lyme disease and tick-borne diseases from 6:45-9:30 p.m. May 29 at the Wall Township municipal building, 2700 Allaire Road, Wall Township. Guest speakers will discuss current efforts to combat these diseases. Advance registration is required. Details: ChrisSmith.House.gov
• The Howell Municipal Alliance will host a free Narcan training session at the municipal building, 4567 Route 9 North, Howell, at 7 p.m. June 26. All are welcome to attend. Pre-registration is not required. A free Narcan kit will be provided to participants. Residents may reach out to the alliance for substance abuse prevention assistance at 732-938-4500, ext. 4012, or visit http://www.twp.howell.nj.us/169/Municipal-Alliance for substance use/mental health resources and information.
• A meeting of the Howell Heritage and Historical Society will be held at 7 p.m. May 24 at the Ardena Baptist Church Hall, Adelphia Road, Howell. All are invited to attend the meeting. Light refreshments will be served.
• The Howell Chamber of Commerce will host a Howell Business Expo from 4-8 p.m. July 16 at 4831 Route 9 North, Howell (Lanes Mill Marketplace, former Barnes & Noble store). Meet and shop local businesses and township services. Free admission. Food tasting, $5 per person. Vendor opportunities for chamber members and non-members. Sponsorship opportunities for members. Online registration and applications are available at www.howellchamber.com or call 732-363-4114.
• The Cream Ridge Cemetery Association will hold its annual meeting at 6:30 p.m. June 5 at the New Egypt Firehouse, 59 Main St., New Egypt. All lot owners are invited to attend. Details: 609-758-8663.
• New Jersey Blood Services will host a blood drive from 2-8 p.m. May 23 at the Howell Elks, 84 Ramtown‑Greenville Road, Howell. To donate blood or for information about how to organize a blood drive, call toll free, 1-800-933-2566, or visit www.nybloodcenter.org
• Center Players Dessert Theater will hold auditions for “Real Women Have Curves” at Center Playhouse, 35 South St., Freehold, on May 26 from 7-9 p.m. and May
28 from 7-9 p.m. The play is scheduled to be performed four weekends from July 26 through Aug 18. Five females are needed (18 through 60’s) who are Latino or can play Latino characters and are comfortable speaking some lines in Spanish. Complete details and a list of characters can be found at www.centerplayers.org. Those auditioning should bring a headshot and resume if possible; sides from the play will be provided. Non-union, no pay.
• All branches of the Ocean County Library will be closed May 26-27 in observance of Memorial Day. All branches will reopen at regular hours May 28. Beginning June 2, all branches of the Ocean County Library will be closed on Sunday. Beginning Sept, 8, Sunday hours will resume. The library’s online resources (databases, ebooks, emagazines and online classes) are available through theoceancountylibrary.org
• DowntownFreehold.com has announced its 2019 Thursdays Rock concert lineup. The free concerts take place at the Monmouth County Hall of Records Plaza from 7:30-9:30 p.m. All ages welcome. The bands are: June 6, Moroccan Sheepherders; June 13, The Snakes; June 20, Mission Dance; June 27, Motor City Revue; July 4, Eddie Testa Band with special guest; July 11, Rockit Fish; July 18, Soul Project NOLO; July 25, The Springsteen Experience; Aug. 1, Joe Keyes and the Late Bloomer Band; Aug. 8, Joe Baracata Band; Aug. 15, Stephen Martines; and Aug. 22, Full Throttle. Details: DowntownFreehold.com
• Tickets are available for the Ms. New Jersey Senior America Pageant 2019 to be held at 1 p.m. June 5 at Harrahs Resort Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City. The 12 contestants will be judged in four categories: Evening Gown; Philosophy of Life; Talent; and Private Judges Interview. Tickets are $15 and may be purchased in advance by calling 908-216-8534 or 609-412-4980, or at the box office, which opens at noon June 5. The pageant is rated general and is for senior citizens, but can also be enjoyed by the entire family. The winner will compete in the Ms. Senior America Pageant 2019 in October. Details: www.newjerseysenioramerica.org or www.senioramerica.org
• The Jackson Library will host “Mindfulness Meditation: On Finding Yourself” at 3 p.m. May 24. This program is open to novice and advanced practitioners. Comfortable clothes required. Registration is required for this free program; call 732-928-4400.
• A meeting of the Monmouth County Retired Educators will be held at 11 a.m. June 11 at the Spring Lake Manor, Spring Lake. The group’s annual philanthropic award will be presented. The retired educators are collecting backpacks and school supplies for Bridges At The Shore for distribution prior to the upcoming school year, as well as non-perishable donations to the food bank. New members are welcome. For luncheon reservations, contact Sue at 732-995-7754 or email sueshrott@gmail.com before May 24.
• Members of the 1994 New York Rangers Stanley Cup championship team – Mark Messier, Brian Leetch, Adam Graves and Mike Richter – will appear at the Event Center at iPlay America, Freehold Township, on June 30. All ticket holders will have access to a Q&A experience with the former players. Doors open at 2:00 p.m. and the Q&A will start at 3 p.m. Various packages are available for purchase at https://www.iplayamerica.com/core4
• The seventh annual Chhange Golf Classic will be held on June 11 at Forsgate Country Club, Monroe Township. Chhange is the Center for Holocaust, Human Rights and Genocide Education at Brookdale Community College. Cost to participate is $300 (individual) or $1,110 (foursome). Sponsorship opportunities are available. The event is co-chaired by Mike Yellin and Lloyd Stone. Non-playing volunteers are needed to help run the event. Details: Email yellins@aol.com or the 5stones@gmail.com or call Chhange at 732-224-1889.
• The Friends of the Howell Municipal Alliance meets on the first Monday of each quarter at 7 p.m. at the Echo Lake Pavilion, Howell. Attendees may share their ideas and perspective in an informal environment to enrich the community’s commitment to substance abuse prevention. No membership is necessary. Details: 732-938-4500, ext. 4012.
• The Jackson Library will host “Knit-Chat-Chain Volunteers” on Mondays. Guests are welcome to join fellow hook and needle enthusiasts and create items to donate to charitable organizations, and to work on their own projects. Knitters and crocheters of all skill levels are welcome. Yarn will be provided. Meeting times alternate between 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Call 732-928-4400, check the monthly brochure, or visit theoceancountylibrary.org/events for specific dates and times.
• John P. Stevens High School, Edison, Class of 1969 will hold its 50-year reunion on Aug. 10 at Galloping Hills Caterers, Union. Cocktail hour from 6-7 p.m., dinner from 7-11 p.m. Cost is $75 per person. Payment and RSVP to Donna Ciccone, 9 Anita Ave., Edison, NJ 08820. Details: Debbie DeMauro Bava, email dbava1015@msn.com
• The Jackson group of the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, Ocean County, will meet from 12:30-2 p.m. each Wednesday at the Brighter Days Community Wellness Center, 268 Bennett’s Mills Road, Jackson. DBSA is dedicated to helping those who suffer from depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder. Supportive family members or friends of people who suffer from mental health difficulties are also welcome to attend. No registration, dues or fees are necessary. Details: Maureen, 732-536-5826, or mfalkowitz27@gmail.com
• 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
Items for the Datebook may be sent to news@thetritownnews.com. Please submit items at least two weeks prior to a scheduled event.
