• Dr. Russell Brokstein of the Hometown Family Wellness Center, 9 Broadway, Freehold Borough, is conducting the 16th annual holiday food and coat drive, “Baby It’s Cold Outside.” Brokstein collects coats, gloves, jackets and non-perishable food items to help the community as the holidays approach and cold weather sets in. Brokstein brings all of the items to the Open Door food pantry and to the St. Peter’s thrift shop. Donations will be accepted through Jan. 2. Call 732-780-0044 or visit http://www.ChiropractorFreehold.com for more information.
• 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. 16, Conover Road Elementary School, 76 Conover Road, Colts Neck, 3:30-7:30 p.m.; Dec. 17, Freehold Raceway Mall, Route 9, Freehold Township, 12:30-6:30 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
• The Colts Neck Historical Preservation Committee will present a Country Christmas at the historic Montrose School, corner of Montrose Road and Cedar Drive, from 1-4 p.m. Dec. 12. There will be seasonal refreshments and holiday music performed by the Mike Wells Trio. Santa Claus will be on hand to take photos. The event is free and all are welcome to attend.
• Kathy Lo Bue, managing director, Glen Eagle Advisors, and host/sponsor of the Discussion Series (free educational community programming), is inviting community members to join her on Zoom to welcome the holiday season and to celebrate six years of presentations. The program includes inspirational messages, prizes, fun and a thank you toast to the series’ loyal supporters. The Zoom event will take place at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 14. Call 732-866-6660 for a Zoom meeting link.
• New Jersey Blood Services, a division of New York Blood Center, will sponsor a blood drive on Dec. 17 from 12:30-6:30 p.m. at the Freehold Raceway Mall, Freehold Township (store between Cheesecake Factory and Chico’s). Appointments are appreciated. For an appointment, visit https://nybc.org/newjerseydrive, sponsor code 65805, or call 800-933-2566. Walk-ins are accepted if spacing allows. Remember to eat, drink and bring donor ID card or ID with name and photo. Donors age 76 and over need a doctor’s note unless one is already on file; 16-year-old donors need a signed NYBC consent form.
• The Manalapan-Englishtown Regional School District Board of Education will hold the following meetings: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 21, regular action meeting at Wemrock Brook School, 118 Millhurst Road, Manalapan. The meetings are open to the publc.
• 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.
• The Monmouth County Park System will host 19th century Christmas ballads on 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 the Casual Birder on Dec. 21 at 9 a.m. at Thompson Park, Lincroft, meet at Marlu Lake. Join a park system naturalist for a laid-back morning bird walk. Open to all ages; under 18 with adult. 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 host Edible History Series: Coffee Cake on Dec. 11 from 2-3 p.m. at Historic Walnford, Walnford Road, Upper Freehold Township. Drop in for a cup of coffee and a piece of coffee cake made from a 19th century recipe. Learn about the history and evolution of America’s favorite “pick-me-up” and the tasty crumb-topped treat that accompanies it. 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 Stockings Hung with Care on Dec. 19 from 1-3 p.m. at Historic Walnford, Walnford Road, Upper Freehold Township.
Decorate and “sew” your own paper stocking to take home. 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.
• 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.
