• The Monmouth County Park System will present “Poets in the Woods New Year’s Day Walk” from 1-2 p.m. Jan. 1 at Freneau Woods Park, Aberdeen Township. Step forward into the new year with the insightful prose of Revolutionary War poet Philip M. Freneau during this walk. Wear appropriate footwear. Free. Details: www.MonmouthCountyParks.com or 732-842-4000.
• Dr. Kirsten Fermaglich will discuss her book about Jewish name changing in 20th century America, “A Rosenberg by Any Other Name,” in an online program at 7 p.m. Jan. 14 on the Zoom platform. The program is free and open to the public. Advance registration is required on the Allen and Joan Bildner Center for the Study of Jewish Life at Rutgers University website, BildnerCenter.Rutgers.edu
• The Monmouth County Park System will present a Yarn Bee from noon to 2:30 p.m. Jan. 2 at Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel. All are welcome to this relaxed gathering and attendees may knit or crochet at their own pace. Farm staff will be on hand to assist those needing a little extra help. Bring your own supplies. Open to ages 10 and up; under 18 with adult. The cost is $5 per person; cash or check only. Details: www.MonmouthCountyParks.com or 732-842-4000.
• The Monmouth County Park System will present “Cutting, Splitting and Hewing” from noon to 2:30 p.m. Jan. 9 at Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel. See the farm staff prepare firewood and learn about the tools they use. Open to adults. Free. Details: www.MonmouthCountyParks.com or 732-842-4000.
• The Monmouth County Park System will present Wondrous Winter Walks, Jan. 13, 10-11:30 a.m., at Freneau Woods Park, Aberdeen Township; meet in the Visitor Center parking lot; and Jan. 27, 10-11:30 a.m., at Thompson Park, Lincroft; meet in the Old Orchard parking lot. Join a park system naturalist and explore a park in the winter. Open to all ages; under 18 with adult. Sturdy footwear recommended, trails used may have inclines or tree roots to step over. Free. Details: www.MonmouthCountyParks.com or 732-842-4000.
• The Monmouth County Park System will present National Seed Swap Day from 10:30 a.m. to noon Jan. 30 at Tatum Park Red Hill Activity Center, Middletown. Attendees may bring their seeds in sealed envelopes or Ziploc bags, labeled with their plant name and stating if the seeds were store bought (with year) or hand collected (source location and year). A minimum of five seeds are required per item. Vegetable, annual, perennial and native seeds are all welcome; no invasive species. Free. Details: www.MonmouthCountyParks.com or 732-842-4000.
• Liberty Oak Chorus invites women of all ages to its “Sing in the New Year” guest series, Jan. 14, 21 and 28 at 7:15 p.m. via Zoom. Meet the faces and voices of the Sweet Adelines International Greater New York/New Jersey Region’s first place champion chorus. Guests will learn about the art of singing in the a cappella/barbershop style. Reserve a space today by contacting Carol Meaney at Carol@Meaney.com. Details: www.LibertyOakChorus.org
• With the continued spread of COVID-19 in New Jersey, the administrators of the Monmouth Museum, Lincroft, have decided to temporarily close the museum. The Nilson and Main galleries will be closed to visitors beginning Jan. 4. The Wonder Wing and the Becker Children’s Wing will remain temporarily closed. The museum is open by appointment only now through Jan. 4 with its 42nd annual Juried Exhibit and the Members Miniatures Exhibit. Details: Email info@monmouthmuseum.org
• Dove Hospice Services of New Jersey is seeking volunteers to provide support to hospice patients and their families throughout Monmouth County. Volunteers visit with patients in their home, which can also be nursing facilities and/or assisted living facilities, at least once a week. Visits can also be virtual and are during the day or early evening. Details: Deborah Adams, 732-405-3035, or email deborah@dovehs.com
• Embroiderers’ Guild of America – Monmouth Chapter is dedicated to teaching and sharing the joys of needlework. The organization welcome stitchers of all levels. Evening stitchers will meet via Zoom on the first Monday of each month at 7 p.m. Day stitchers will meet via Zoom on the third Thursday of each month at 10 a.m. Details: Toni, 732-462-5540, or visit website:www.mcega.org
• The Monmouth County Library is offering a weekly virtual bereavement meeting for all
those who have lost a loved one and are navigating the maze of emotions and trying to make decisions in a new way. The virtual meetings provide an opportunity for people to share experiences, feelings and ideas. Sessions are conducted on Webex and registration is possible on Eventkeeper in order to receive information on how to access the meetings, held Wednesdays at 6:45 p.m. Details: Email mcl@monmouthcountylib.org
• Residents struggling with substance use issues may call 1-844-ReachNJ to speak with counselors ready to offer assistance 24 hours a day, seven days a week. ReachNJ is a free, confidential hotline that provides individuals with concerns about their own or a family member’s substance use immediate help and treatment referrals. The help line is always answered by a live specialist.
Items for the Datebook may be sent to news@njexaminer.com. Please send items at least two weeks prior to a scheduled event.
