• The 2021 Discussion Series will continue with “Can You Use A Little More Joy!” via a Zoom webinar at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 16. The presenter will be Janet Kester, an Osher Lifelong Learning Institute for seniors facilitator at the University of Colorado. She will discuss the value of learning new things in order to maintain a novel outlook on life. The series is sponsored by Kathy Lo Bue, managing director, Glen Eagle Advisors, LLC. The series is free, non-sectarian and open to the community. Call 732-866-6660 for the registration link.
• The League of Women Voters of Western Monmouth will present a virtual forum with the Manalapan-Englishtown Regional School District Board of Education candidates on Oct. 20 at 7 p.m. The event is sponsored by district’s parent organizations. There are five Manalapan candidates vying for two open seats and one unopposed candidate from Englishtown. To view the forum live and submit questions for the candidates, go to lwvsmc.org and click on the red button to receive a registration link. The candidates forum will be recorded for later viewing.
• The first Farmingdale-Howell Car Show will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct 23 on Main Street in Farmingdale (rain or shine). The event is sponsored by the Howell Optimist Club and hosted by Farmingdale. There will be a DJ, vendors, face painting, “touch a truck” and more. All are welcome and the event is free.
• New Jersey Blood Services will conduct blood drives which are open to the public. The following blood drives are scheduled: Oct. 22, Freehold Raceway Mall, Freehold Township, 12:30-6:30 p.m.; Oct. 28, Temple Shaari Emeth, 400 Craig Road, Manalapan, 4-8:30 p.m.; To donate blood or for information on how to organize a blood drive, call 1-800-933-2566. Details: www.nybloodcenter.org
• Morganville United Methodist Church, 215 Conover Road, Marlboro, will open its thrift shop on Saturdays in October and November from 9 a.m. to noon. The thrift shop has new and nearly new items of clothing, housewares, home decor, toys, CDs, DVDs, books and more; vintage and collectible items. All are welcome to visit the thrift shop.
• Growing Up Jewish in Perrineville (Millstone Township) and Roosevelt: A Talk by William Agress will be presented via Zoom by the Jewish Heritage Museum of Monmouth County, Freehold Township, at 2 p.m. Oct. 24. Admission: $5 for museum members and $7 for non-members. To RVSP, call 732-252-6990, email jhmomc@optonline.net, or visit www.jhmomc.org
• The Colts Neck Lions Club will host its 27th annual pancake breakfast from 8 a.m. to noon Oct. 30 at the Colts Neck Community Church, 25 Merchants Way, Colts Neck. Breakfast will cost $5 per adult, $3 per child and $3 for seniors. All are welcome to attend. Proceeds will be donated to two causes: Kateri Day Camp, a summer camp serving children ages 5 to 13, that is a program of Collier Youth Services in Marlboro; and funding a service dog for a wounded veteran. Follow the club’s Facebook page for current information or visit www.coltsnecklionsclub.us
• The Monmouth County Park System will present a cookstove demonstration on Oct. 30 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel. See what’s cooking on the woodstove and discover how recipes, cooking techniques and kitchens have changed since the 1890s. Free event. Details: 732-842-4000.
• The Monmouth County Park System will host a mill demonstration on Oct. 23-24 and 30-31 from 1-4 p.m. at Historic Walnford, Walnford Road, Upper Freehold Township. See the 19th century gristmill in action. Free event. Details: 732-842-4000.
• The Monmouth County Park System will host the Casual Birder on Oct. 26 at 9 a.m. at Thompson Park, Lincroft, meet in the Marlu Lake parking area. Join a park system naturalist for a morning bird walk. Open to ages 10 and up; under 18 with adult. Free event. Details: 732-842-4000.
• Simpson United Methodist Church will host a pumpkin patch from Oct. 9-31 at the church, 2095 Route 516, Old Bridge (across from the YMCA). A variety of shapes and sizes of pumpkins will be for sale, as well as gourds and other items. Hours are 3-8 p.m. weekdays; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday; and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday. A trunk or treat event is planned for 2-5 p.m. Oct. 31. All are welcome to attend.
• A Howl-o-Ween Family Fest dog-friendly festival will be celebrated at Marty’s Place, 118 Route 526, Upper Freehold Township, from noon to 4 p.m. Oct. 23 (rain date, Oct. 24).
There will be canine costume contests, a leisurely walk, hay rides, a pet photo booth, K-9 police dog demonstrations, live music, food trucks, games, and activities for children, adults and canines. Adults, children and dogs are welcome to dress in costume and participate in a variety of contests. Admission is $5 for adults; children under 6 are free. All proceeds will benefit senior dogs cared for by Marty’s Place. Details: www.martysplace.org or call 609-259-1278.
• Embroiderers’ Guild of America – Monmouth Chapter is dedicated to teaching and sharing the joys of needlework. The organization welcomes 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
• CentraState Medical Center has launched a new online grief support group led by licensed clinical social workers certified in grief counseling to assist individuals who have experienced the loss of a loved one. The group is open for adult members of the community who have experienced the loss of a loved one. The private groups provide a safe, non-judgmental space for participants to share their emotions and struggles. The group meets via Zoom on the first and third Thursdays of each month at 3 p.m. To register, call 732-303-5170 or email Ametzger@Centrastate.com or Ssouza@Centrastate.com
• 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. 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@thenewstranscript.com. Please send items at least two weeks prior to a scheduled event.
