• The Jackson Library, 2 Jackson Drive, Jackson, is seeking yarn donations. The Knit-Chat-Chain volunteers make items with yarn to donate to individuals in need. Donations of four-ply worsted yarn may be dropped off at the Circulation Desk during the library’s hours of operation. Details: 732-928-4400.
• Monmouth County Park System will sponsor a bus trip to the Philadelphia Flower Show on March 6. Bus leaves at 11:30 a.m. from Thompson Park, Lincroft, and returns at 8:30 p.m. An additional trip is planned for March 7 (same times). The cost is $82 per person and pre-registration is required. Details: www.MonmouthCountyParks.com or call 732-842-4000, ext. 1.
• The 17th annual Expressions and Reflections Student Concert showcasing the talent of Judie Jensen’s students in piano, guitar and voice, including the Expressions and Reflections Student and Community Ensemble Band, will be held at 2 p.m. Jan. 25 at Christ Church, 71 Oak Glen Road, Howell. Students range in age from pre-school to seniors. The public is invited to attend the concert. Tickets ($20) will be available at the door. Details: 732-534-4594 or email ertcb@msn.com
• The Fresh Air Fund’s Friendly Towns Program is seeking local families to host children from New York City this summer. The Fresh Air Fund has provided free summer experiences to more than 1.8 million New York City children from low-income communities since 1877. First time Fresh Air children are boys and girls, ages 7 to 13, who live in New York City. Details: Karen Medlin, 732-740-0449, or visit www.FreshAir.org
• Jersey Shore University Medical Center will hold a free New Moms Network meeting from 1-3 p.m. Jan. 21 at Meridian Health Village at Jackson, lower level conference center, 27 South Cooks Bridge Road, Jackson. Meetings are open to all moms and their infants and include group discussions about all topics pertaining to life with an infant. First-time attendees should call Linda at 732-776-4281 prior to attending.
• Jersey Shore University Medical Center will hold a free New Moms Network meeting from 1-3 p.m. Jan. 28 at Meridian Health Village at Jackson, lower level conference center, 27 South Cooks Bridge Road, Jackson. Meetings are open to all moms and their infants and include group discussions about all topics pertaining to life with an infant. First-time attendees should call Linda at 732-776-4281 prior to attending.
• Monmouth County Park System is hosting a bus trip to the American Museum of Natural History, New York, on Feb. 22. The museum features the Rose Center for Earth and Space, four floors of exhibits, an IMAX theater and gift shop. The trip is open to all ages; under 18 with adult. Bus leaves at 8:30 a.m. from Thompson Park, Lincroft, and will return at 5 p.m. Pre-registration is required. The cost of the trip is $42 per person and includes bus transportation and park system leader only. For the museum’s ticket information and pricing, visit www.amnh.org. To register, visit www.MonmouthCountyParks.com or call 732-842-4000, ext. 1.
• The Howell Heritage and Historical Society will welcome in the new year on Jan. 24 at 7 p.m. with the swearing in of officers for 2020. The meeting will be held at the Ardena Baptist Church Hall, Adelphia Road, Howell. All are welcome to meet the new executive board and other members of the group. Light refreshments will be served.
• Jackson Rotary Club will sponsor a fundraising trip to the Tropicana Casino, Atlantic City, on Feb. 16. Cost of $38 includes bus transportation, sandwich and beverage on the bus, $25 in slot play from the casino and gratuity for the driver. Bus will leave from Brookwood Plaza at noon and return to Jackson at 9 p.m. Proceeds will benefit Rotary Club charities. Space is limited. Details: Tom Barchie, 732-207-4029 or 732-849-6309.
• The Father Cetkowski Council, Knights of Columbus (Howell-Jackson), will host the annual basketball free throw contest. All boys and girls ages 9 through 14 are invited to participate in the free event on Jan. 25 in the Mother Seton Academy gym, Route 9, Howell. Registration begins at 2 p.m. and the competition will begin at 2:15 p.m. Winners advance to district competition. All local contestants will be recognized for their participation. Participants must furnish proof of age (i.e., birth certificate) and written parental consent. For an entry form, contact Brian Curran at 908-415-4720.
• Supporters of LADACIN Network will participate in the 12th annual LADACIN Plunge in Manasquan on Jan. 18 to support LADACIN’s educational, therapeutic, social, residential and support services for more than 3,500 infants, children and adults with complex physical and developmental disabilities or delays living in Monmouth and Ocean counties. On-site registration will begin at Leggett’s Sand Bard & Restaurant at 10:30 a.m. At 12:30 p.m., participants will hit the beach. Details: www.ladacin.org and click on Events, or contact Cathy Claps at 732-493-5900, ext. 263.
• The Shrewsbury Chorale is inviting individuals of high school age and up who love choral music to consider joining the chorale. Open rehearsals are scheduled for 7-9:30 p.m. Jan. 21 and 28 at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Monmouth County, 1475 W. Front St. Lincroft. Singers of all voice parts are invited to attend a rehearsal. The chorale is preparing for its April and June concerts. The chorale rehearses weekly on Tuesday evenings. Scores will be provided and all events are free. Some music reading ability is desirable. Call 908-309-0602 to audition or visit www.shrewsburychorale.org
• Parlor Games for Wintry Weather will be presented from noon to 2:30 p.m. Jan. 25 at Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel. Play forgotten 1890s games like Halma and Basilinda, or old-time favorites like Backgammon, Checkers and Reversi. Open to ages 6 and up. This is a free program. Details: 732-842-4000.
• The Jackson Library will present the following events in January:
• “Wellness Initiative for Senior Education,” 11:30 a.m. Jan. 17, 24, 31 and Feb. 7. The six-week, evidence-based substance abuse prevention and wellness program will cover topics from stress management and healthy living to medication management and prescription drug abuse. Free lunch will be provided. Registrants agree to attend all six sessions.
• “Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service,” Jan. 20 through Jan. 25. Crochet or knit at home, and drop off your items to the Circulation Department during normal branch hours. All sizes of hats, blankets, fingerless gloves, mittens and leg warmers will be accepted. Items will be donated to local charities. Items will not be accepted before Jan. 20 or after Jan. 25.
• “In Remembrance of Martin,” 2:30 p.m. Jan. 20. This documentary features personal comments from family members, friends and advisers of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and also includes portions of his “I Have A Dream” speech. The film is available through the Library’s Kanopy digital service.
• “The Light of Hope (La Ilum D’Elna),” 2 p.m. Jan. 27. The film will be screened in honor of International Holocaust Remembrance Day. It is based on the true story of Elisabeth Eidenbenz and her female co-workers, who saved the lives of almost 600 infants in World War II. Courtesy of the Library’s Kanopy digital service.
• “Send Valentine’s Greetings to a Child in the Hospital,” 10 a.m. Jan. 29. All are welcome to drop in and design a card for a child in the hospital. Cards will be sent to Cards for Hospitalized Kids, an internationally recognized charitable organization. Registration is not required.
• “Souper Bowl: Great Soups and Appetizers for Game Day,” 3 p.m. Jan. 31. Learn how to make great soups and appetizers with Jennifer Klein, a registered dietitian with Perlmutter Family ShopRite.
Registration is required for these free events, unless otherwise noted. To register, call 732-928-4400.
• “Fine Feathered Friends: Birds as Mainstay and Muse” is open at the New Jersey State Museum, Trenton. The exhibition brings the fun of bird watching indoors through nearly 200 rarely seen artifacts and specimens exploring birds as an ecological mainstay and their role as a design-inspiring force, or muse, for New Jersey artisans. The exhibition will be on view through Sept. 13. Museum hours are 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday; closed on Mondays and state holidays. Details: www.statemuseum.nj.gov
• The Deep Cut Orchid Society will hold its annual orchid show and sale from Feb. 6-9 in Dearborn Market’s 11,000-square-foot greenhouse, 2170 Route 35 South, Holmdel. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sunday. Visitors will view an array of orchids vying for American Orchid Society ribbons and trophies. There will be free guided tours, and educational and orchid-themed workshops for enthusiasts of all levels. Orchid experts will be on hand to answer questions. Admission and parking are free. Dearborn Market offers fresh food and deli selections for purchase.
• The New Jersey State Museum, Trenton, is presenting “Preserving the Pinelands: Albert Horner’s Portraits of a National Treasure.” The exhibition features images by photographer Albert Horner which capture the quiet beauty and intimate landscapes of New Jersey’s Pinelands National Reserve. A number of artifacts and scientific specimens from the museum’s collections help tell some of the stories of the land, animals, people and industries that make this unique area a state and national treasure. “Preserving the Pinelands” will be on view through June 28, 2020. Details: www.statemuseum.nj.gov
Items for the Datebook may be sent to news@thetritownnews.com. Please submit items at least two weeks prior to a scheduled event.
