• The Jackson Library will host the following health programs: “Food, Nutrition and Your Health: Clearing Up the Confusion with Dr. Ina” will take place at 7 p.m. June 27. Nutritionist, educator and author Dr. Ina Nozek will share her expertise on nutritional health, weight wellness and dieting. “Shore to Age Well: Medication Management and Alternatives” will take place at 11 a.m. July 16. This program will cover alternative forms of pain management. Registration is required for these free events. To register, call 732-928-4400.
• The Howell Heritage and Historical Society will present a program about the MacKenzie Museum and one of its former owners, Capt. William Prickett, a Civil War soldier. The public is invited to attend the prograt at 7 p.m. June 21 at the Ardena Baptist Church Hall, 593 Adelphia Road, Howell. Leigh Shaffer, a local historian, retired teacher and president of the Farmingdale Historical Society, will describe the unique architecture of the building and highlight Prickett’s service to the nation. The Howell Heritage and Historical Society is trying to save the MacKenzie Museum from being demolished and to hopefully have it reopened to the public. Light refreshments will be served.
• An Independence Day concert and fireworks celebration, presented by Downtown Freehold and Freehold Borough, will be held on July 3 at Freehold Raceway. Gates open at 6 p.m. and there will be live music by the Rock ‘N Roll Chorus at 6:30 p.m., followed by Daddy Pop from 7-9:15 p.m. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. No backpacks, coolers or pets will be permitted inside the venue, and bags are subject to search. Visit www.freeholdboroughnj.gov for information on cancellations due to inclement weather or high wind conditions. Rain date is July 7.
• The seventh annual Howell-Farmingdale 5K Run and Race Walk in memory of Walter Reitsma and all young people who lost their battle to addiction will be held at Howell High School at 6:15 p.m. Aug. 28. All ages welcome. The event will benefit CONTACT of Ocean and Monmouth Counties, a 24/7 crisis intervention and suicide prevention hotline. Special pricing for individuals age 19 and under. All registration fees discounted when registered by Aug. 26. Visit www.contactoceanmonmouth.org for a race application form with full details or register online at https://register.compuscore.com/contact5k
• New Jersey Blood Services will conduct a blood drive at the Howell Elks, 84 Ramtown-Greenville Road, Howell, from 2-8 p.m. June 27. To donate blood, call toll free, 1-800-933-2566 or visit www.nybloodcenter.org
• Freehold Regional High School District’s Naval Junior ROTC fourth annual golf outing will be held on July 15 at the Battleground Country Club, Manalapan. The cost to golf is $225, which includes super ticket and a chance to win a 2019 BMW with a hole-in-one, lunch, dinner, complimentary beverages throughout the day and the use of country club facilities. Registration begins at noon, shotgun start at 2 p.m. The evening concludes with a reception and gift basket auction beginning at 7 p.m. Individuals interested in attending may contact Renay Friedman at drrenay@yahoo.com or 732-492-7400.
• The Monmouth County Fair will return to the East Freehold Showgrounds, Kozloski Road, Freehold Township, from July 24-28. Hours for the fair are 5-11 p.m. July 24-26; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. July 27; and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 28. The 2019 Main Stage entertainment is as follows: July 24, Start Making Sense, a Talking Heads tribute band; July 25, Big House Band; July 26, Jake’s Rockin’ Country Band; July 27, School of Rock, and Jobonanno and the Godsons present “The Spirit of Asbury Revue” and July 28, Last Whippoorwill. Details: 732-842-4000.
• The Casual Birder will be held at 9 a.m. June 27 at the Manasquan Reservoir, Howell (meet in Environmental Center parking lot). Join a Monmouth County Park System naturalist for a laid-back morning bird walk. Open to ages 11 and up; under 16 with adult. This is a free event. Details: 732-842-4000.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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 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
• 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 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.
