• The Monmouth County Park System will host a Yarn Bee on Dec. 4 from noon to 2:30 p.m. at Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel. All are welcome to knit or crochet at their own pace, and 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: 732-842-4000.
• The Monmouth County Park System will host 19th century Christmas ballads on Dec. 4 and Dec. 11 from 1-3:30 p.m. at Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel. Enjoy 19th century Christmas ballads played on the piano. Free. Details: 732-842-4000.
• The Monmouth County Park System will host a cookstove demonstration on Dec. 11 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. Details: 732-842-4000.
• The Monmouth County Park System will present The Sounds of Christmas on Dec. 12 from 1-3 p.m. at Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel. Celebrate the holidays by listening to Larry Moser and Mary Nagin play Christmas carols on the hammered dulcimer and fiddle. Free. Details: 732-842-4000.
• The Monmouth County Park System will present a Clear the House Stroll on Dec. 24 at 10 a.m. at Deep Cut Gardens, Middletown. Clear the house by sending family and guests on a stroll with a park system guide. This stroll takes place on even paths and at a slow pace. Free. Details: 732-842-4000.
• The Monmouth County Park System will present Nature on the Move: Winter Days on Dec. 29 at 3 p.m. at Holmdel Park, Holmdel, meet in the shelter building parking area.
Look for the park system’s colorful Nature on the Move van and join a park system naturalist for a 45- to 60-minute hands-on interactive program. Free. Details: 732-842-4000.
• The Monmouth County Park System will host the Creative Arts Center exhibit from Dec. 4 through Dec. 11 in “the Gallery” at the Thompson Park Creative Arts Center, 805 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft. Hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. The exhibit celebrates the original artwork of the Creative Arts Center’s students and instructors. Many pieces will be available for purchase. Details: www.MonmouthCountyParks.com or 732-842-4000.
• New Jersey Blood Services, a division of New York Blood Center, is conducting blood drives which are open to the public. The following drives are scheduled: Dec. 2, Howell Donor Center, 4068 Route 9 South, Howell, 1:30-8:30 p.m.; Dec. 7, Howell Donor Center, 1:30-8:30 p.m.; Dec. 8, Howell Donor Center, 7:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.; Dec. 9, Howell Donor Center, 1:30-8:30 p.m.; Dec. 14, Howell Donor Center, 1:30-8:30 p.m.; Dec. 15, Howell Donor Center, 7:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. To donate blood or for information about how to organize a blood drive, call 1-800-933-2566 or visit www.nybloodcenter.org
• Jackson residents who would like to volunteer to serve on an advisory board or commission may submit a Citizen Leadership Form which can be found on the municipal website at www.jacksontwpnj.net under the Forms, Licenses and Permits section. Complete both pages and include any background experience you have or your reason for interest. The following advisory boards and committees currently exist: Veterans Commission, Rent Leveling Board, Planning Board, Zoning Board of Adjustment, Economic Development Commission, Citizens Budget Advisory Committee, Emergency Medical Services Advisory Board, Pathfinders, Environmental Commission, Historical Commission and Shade Tree Commission. All requests for consideration should be received by Dec. 17. Details: 732-928-1200, ext. 1211, or email snovak@jacksontwpnj.net
• The Monmouth County Retired Educators Association will hold its holiday meeting and luncheon on Dec. 14 at Knob Hill Country Club, 1 Shinnecock Drive, Manalapan, at 11 a.m. Members are encouraged to bring a non-perishable donation for the food bank. The association is also collecting unwrapped children’s toys, books or gift cards for Bridges At The Shore. For luncheon reservations, contact sueshrott@gmail.com or call 732 995-7754. Reservations must be received before Dec. 3. New members are welcome. Check the association’s website or Facebook page for additional information.
• A Zoom program, “Hollywood Yiddishkeit: Jewish Images in American Film” with historian John Kenrick, will be presented by the Jewish Heritage Museum of Monmouth County at 2 p.m. Dec. 5. Admission: $12 for museum members and $15 for non-members. To RVSP, call the museum at 732-252-6990, email jhmomc@optonline.net, or visit www.jhmomc.org
• Bat Shalom Hadassah will host the annual Jackson Township Hanukkah menorah lighting at 4:30 p.m. Dec. 1 at the Jackson municipal building, West Veterans Highway. The entire event will be outdoors; masks are required. The candles will be lit by Rabbi Shmuel Naparstek. The event is sponsored by Bat Shalom Hadassah, Jackson Chabad, Westlake Yiddish Club, Shalom Club of Winding Ways South Knolls and Metedeconk. All are welcome to attend the menorah lighting.
• The New Egypt Elks Lodge will host Breakfast with Santa on Dec. 19, two seatings: 8:30-10 a.m. or 10-11:30 a.m. Each child will receive a gift from Santa. Pre-sale tickets only; limited seating. Menu includes (subject to change): pancake station, toppings, French toast, scrambled eggs, potatoes, sausage, bacon and pork roll, coffee, tea, hot chocolate, orange juice and more. Cost: Adults (13-59), $12; Seniors (60 and over), $11; Child (4-12), $8; Children 3 and under, free. To reserve: https://form.jotform.com/neelks2457/breakfast-with-santa. Paper tickets will not be issued. Reservations are non-refundable unless they can be re-sold before the event. Any reservation not paid by Dec. 9 will be cancelled to allow for others to purchase. Payment can be made via Zelle at rgyoung51@comcast.net or Venmo Mike Walsh at 732-600-8442. Credit, debit, check or cash accepted at the lodge.
• 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
Items for the Datebook may be sent to news@thetritownnews.com. Please submit items at least two weeks prior to a scheduled event.
