• Ongoing sessions of “Dancing by the Peddie Lake with Candace-Woodward-Clough,” offering instruction in swing, foxtrot, waltz and Latin dancing, will be held at 112 Etra Road, Hightstown. Classes will run continuously on Thursdays and Fridays. Beginner/Intermediate classes start at 7:30 p.m. The cost is $60 per person for the four-week session. Woodward-Clough is a choreographer, teacher and exercise consultant who has been teaching ballroom, Latin and swing dance for more than 30 years. Pre-register by calling 732-995-4284 or email candaceclough1987@yahoo.com
• New York Blood Center will conduct a blood drive at Freehold Raceway Mall (second floor, Macy’s corridor), Freehold Township, from 1:30-7:30 p.m. Sept. 5. All donors will get a $10 AMC gift card. For an appointment, visit tinyurl.com/GiveBloodNJBS (sponsor code: 65805) or call 1-800-933-BLOOD. Walk-ins are welcome.
• Jersey Shore Rose Society show will be held from 12:30-3:30 p.m. Sept. 14 at Deep Cut Gardens, 152 Red Hill Road, Middletown. See entries for the society’s annual rose show. Consulting rosarians will be available to answer questions. This is a free event.
• The Monmouth County Park System’s annual cornbread contest will be held from 12:30-3:30 p.m. Sept. 22 at Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold. Participants should bring the equivalent of a 9- x 13-inch pan of cornbread and a typed copy of their recipe between 12:30-1 p.m. Judging from 1:30-2:30 p.m. Ribbons awarded at 3 p.m. This is a free event. Details: 732-842-4000.
• A Golden Ear corny joke contest will be held from 12:30-3 p.m. Sept. 22 at Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold. Tell your best family friendly jokes during the contest. Anyone may enter by submitting up to three jokes by 2:30 p.m. The jokes will be read and audience laughter will decide the winner of the 2019 Golden Ear trophy. This is a free event. Details: 732-842-4000.
• Join a Monmouth County roving naturalist for a leisurely walk on well-maintained trails and discuss seasonal points of interest, search for signs of wildlife and identify birds. The walk will be held at 9 a.m. Sept. 14 in Crosswicks Creek Park, Upper Freehold. Meet in the Polhemustown Road parking lot. This is a 90-minute to two-hour program, but feel free to join in or drop out at any point. Dress for the weather, light rain not a deterrent. The is a free activity. Details: 732-842-4000.
• A Sept. 11 memorial ceremony will be held at 8 a.m. Sept. 11 at the Mount Mitchill Scenic Overlook, Atlantic Highlands. All are welcome to attend the remembrance ceremony.
• End summer by playing family friendly historical games at Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold, from 1-4 p.m. Sept. 1-2. Sponsored by the Monmouth County Park System. This is a free activity. Details: 732-842-4000.
• The Allentown Library will present a program about “The Battle of Brooklyn” at 7 p.m. Sept. 26. This was the largest battle of the American Revolution, taking place six weeks after the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The battle resulted in a defeat for the Continental Army. Barry Singer will present details of the battle and its pivotal effects on the future course of the war. Space is limited. Registration is required. Register in person or by calling 609-259-7565.
• WWE Superstars The New Day, a wrestling stable consisting of Kofi Kingston, Big E and Xavier Woods, will visit the Event Center at iPlay America, Freehold Township, on Sept. 29. They will provide fans with a Pancake Lovers VIP Experience, meet and greet, and photo opportunity. Doors open at 8 a.m. VIP package and photo opportunity tickets are available for purchase at https://www.iplayamerica.com/event/the-new-day/
• A Superb Summer Saunter will be sponsored by the Monmouth County Park System from 10-11:30 a.m. Aug. 29 at Clayton Park, Upper Freehold (meet in the Emley’s Hill Road parking lot). Participants will explore the trails with a park system naturalist. This is a free event. Details: 732-842-4000.
• Brandeis University Harmony Chapter of Four Seasons Metedeconk Lakes, Jackson, will sponsor a Holiday Vendor Faire and Brunch from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Oct. 23 at the Radisson Hotel, Freehold Township. Vendors are needed, tables/space is $50. Brunch is $35 per person. All proceeds will be designated to the Brandeis National Committee’s “Sustaining the Mind Fund” to support faculty research into neurodegenerative diseases. Details: Marie Santoro, 732-276-5393, or Vickie Vitale, 732-299-9745.
• See a 19th century gristmill in action at Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold, from 1-4 p.m. Aug. 31 and Sept. 1. Sponsored by the Monmouth County Park System. This is a free event. Details: 732-842-4000.
• See a 19th century gristmill in action at Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold, from 1-4 p.m. Aug. 31 and Sept. 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, 28 and 29. Sponsored by the Monmouth County Park System. This is a free event. Demonstrations run through November. Details: 732-842-4000.
• The New Jersey State Museum, 205 W. State St., Trenton, is presenting “Many Inspired Steps” to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing. Currently on view through Nov. 10, the exhibition uses a variety of objects and images to examine the space race between the United States and the Soviet Union, the pioneers of space travel and other state connections to the landing and the space program. Admission is free; donations requested. Details: 609-292-5420 or visit statemuseumnj.gov
• “New Jersey Baseball: From the Cradle to the Major Leagues” is on exhibit at the Morven Museum and Garden, Princeton, until Oct. 27. The exhibition tells the story of New Jersey’s role in the history of early organized baseball through artifacts, text, images and other visuals. There are interactives that offer educational opportunities, as well as demonstrations with hands-on experiences. Details: morven.org
• Samaritan Center, a joint ministry of St. Thomas More and Old Tennent Presbyterian churches, operates a food pantry to provide supplementary food for those in need in Manalapan, Marlboro, Englishtown and Millstone Township. For information, call 732-446-1142 and make an appointment. Pickup dates are Tuesday and Thursday from 9:30-11:15 a.m. and Saturday from 9-11 a.m. Volunteers will gladly carry food to a client’s vehicle. Donations of funds and food are gratefully accepted to support the operation of the center. Volunteers are always welcome.
Items for the Datebook may be sent to news@njexaminer.com. Please submit items at least two weeks prior to a scheduled event.
