• Rutgers Master Gardeners of Monmouth County will present Birds, Bugs and Beyond,
Celebrating Nature, a free festival for children of all ages, outdoors from noon to 4 p.m. Oct. 8 (rain or shine) at the Rutgers Cooperative Extension Agriculture Building, 4000 Kozloski Road, Freehold Township. There will be nature-inspired activities, crafts and educational displays, 4-H animals, insects and reptiles, and more. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Details: 732-303-7614.
• The Ocean County Library will host archivist-historian Mickey DiCamillo’s presentation, “When There Were Witches: An Exploration of the Salem Witch Trials,” at the Toms River Branch, 101 Washington Street, at 7 p.m. Oct. 4, and at the Manchester Branch, 21 Colonial Drive, at 7 p.m. Oct. 24. Program attendees will have the opportunity to take part in reading transcripts of the interrogations undergone by suspected witches. Registration at www.theoceancountylibrary.org/events is required for this free program.
•The Monmouth County Retired Educators Association will meet at 11 a.m. Oct. 11 at the Waterview Pavilion, Belmar. Prior to the meeting, PAC endorsed candidates running for office will be available for members to meet and voice their concerns. Members are encouraged to bring a non-perishable donation for the food bank. For luncheon reservations, contact sueshrott@gmail.com. Checks payable to MCREA for $30 should be mailed to Sue Shrott, 162 Harbor Circle Drive, Freehold, NJ 07728 and received before Sept. 30. Check the MCREA Facebook page or website for updates. New members are always welcome.
• The 26th annual Monmouth County Clerk’s Archives and History Day will be held on Oct. 1 at the Robert J. Collins Arena at Brookdale Community College, Lincroft, beginning at 9 a.m. The event is organized by the Monmouth County Clerk’s Archives Division. More than 50 local and state historical societies, museums and archives will set up tables relating to the mission and activities of their organizations. All are invited to attend the free event. To view the preliminary program, visit MonmouthCountyClerk.com/Archives
• The Holiday Made in Monmouth event will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 10 in the Robert J. Collins Arena on the campus of Brookdale Community College, Route 520, Lincroft (the original date was Dec. 3). Vendor registration will open at 10 a.m. Sept. 27. Details: 732-431-7387.
• The string quartet Brooklyn Rider will bring their innovative new project, The Four Elements, to the Main Stage at the Jay and Linda Grunin Center for the Arts at Ocean County College, Toms River, on Sept. 29 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $32 to $38. Brooklyn Rider has carved out a unique space in the world of string quartets over the past 15 years, illuminating works of the past with fresh insight while coaxing the genre into the future through an inclusive programming vision. To purchase tickets, visit grunincenter.org or call 732-255-0500.
• Jackson Township will conduct a rabies vaccination clinic for dogs and cats from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 15 (rain or shine) at the public works garage, 10 Don Connor Blvd. Dogs must be on a leash; cats must be in a carrier. For a pet to receive a three-year shot, owner must bring proof of prior rabies vaccination. If no proof is available, vaccination will be valid for one year. Details: Division of Animal Control, 732-928-1200, ext. 1296, or 732-928-5780.
• Marty’s Place Howl-o-Ween Family Fest will be held from noon to 5 p.m. Oct. 22 at Marty’s Place, 118 Route 526, Upper Freehold Township. All proceeds will benefit the senior dogs cared for by Marty’s Place. This is a dog-friendly event. Highlights will include canine costume contests, a leisurely walk, agility demonstrations, hayrides, a pet photo booth, police dog demonstrations, live music from AlterEgo, vendors, food trucks and more. All humans and canines are welcome to dress in costume. Prizes will be awarded in several categories. Admission is $5 for adults; children under 6 are free.
• The Ocean County Library Toms River Branch, 101 Washington St., will host “A Variety of Vignettes” by The Guild Theatreworks, at 7 p.m. Sept. 21. The performance in Mancini Hall will include iconic monologues and sketches from “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” “City Slickers,” “Bridesmaids,” “California Suite,” “Come Blow Your Horn,” “The Prisoner of Second Avenue” and other classic and contemporary works. The nonprofit troupe, which began as the Brick Community Players, is in its 32nd year of performing musicals, dramas, comedies and improvisations. Registration at www.theoceancountylibrary.org/events is required for this free program.
• Dove Hospice Services of New Jersey is seeking volunteers who are willing to make a difference with individuals who are experiencing the challenge of end-of-life. Volunteers dedicate a small amount of time each month to provide companionship-friendly visits; play cards; sewing, knitting or craft projects; music enrichment; pet therapy; and office or administrative assistance. Dove Hospice Services is also seeking veterans who are interested in providing compassion, support and outreach to fellow veterans and their families. Visits can be made to individuals living in facilities or private homes. Ongoing training is provided. Volunteers must be 18 or older and a COVID vaccine is required. Details: Michelle Rutigliano, 732-405-3035.
• The Jewish Heritage Museum of Monmouth County, Freehold Township, will welcome rabbi-turned-cabaret singer Deborah Zecher in a cabaret style musical in-person and Zoom event on Sept. 18 at 4 p.m. Admission is $15 for museum members and $20 for non-members. Zecher describes herself as “a rabbi who sings the Great American songbook and more.” Make reservations by visiting www.jhmomc.org, or by calling 732-252-6990.
• 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: Sept. 20, Howell Donor Center, 4068 Route 9, Howell, 1:30-8:30 p.m.; Sept. 21, Howell Donor Center, 7:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m., Sept. 22, Howell Donor Center, 1:30-8:30 p.m.; Sept. 27, Howell Donor Center, 1:30-8:30 p.m.; Sept. 28, Howell Donor Center, 7:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.; Sept. 29, Howell Donor Center, 1:30-8:30 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 Monmouth County Park System will host a Fall Plant Swap on Sept. 17. Plant intake from 8:30-10 a.m. Plant selection starts at 10 a.m. The event will be held at Tatum Park, Middletown – use the Red Hill Road entrance. Bring perennials in 1-quart, 1-gallon or 2-gallon containers and take home the same size and number of plants. Label all plants. Houseplants may also be exchanged, but no annuals. Free. Details: 732-842-4000.
• The Monmouth County Park System will host the Wind and Sea Festival on Sept. 17 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Bayshore Waterfront Park, Middletown. Celebrate all things water-related such as kayaking, fishing, kite flying, sandcastle building and more during a family friendly festival. Admission and parking are free. Some activities may have a fee. Parking at the Belford Ferry Terminal. Details: 732-842-4000.
• The Monmouth County Park System will host a Harvest Home Festival on Sept. 25 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel. This old-fashioned fair is reminiscent of the 1890s. Visitors can enjoy games, wagon rides and live entertainment. Admission and parking are free. Details: 732-842-4000.
• The Monmouth County Park System will host Concert in the Park: A Night of Jazz and Blues on Sept. 30 from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Thompson Park Theater Barn, Lincroft. The roots of blues and jazz music run deep at the Jersey Shore. Listen to talent from the area. Bring chairs or blankets, food and soft drinks. The concert will be held outdoors, but will move indoors if the weather is inclement. All ages welcome; under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Free. Details: 732-842-4000.
• Women of Color discussion group is an online meeting held once a month (third Tuesday at 5:30 pm) to discuss issues, coping strategies and resources relevant to women of color. Offered by the Mental Health Association in New Jersey. Upcoming meeting dates are Sept. 20, Oct. 18, Nov. 22 and Dec. 20. Email kreynolds@mhanj.org to receive a link.
• “A Gathering of Womyn of Color” is an online group that meets once a month for all LGBTQ womyn of color in the Black, Indigenous, People of Color community. The group is an open discussion of multiple topics. The group meets on the first Thursday of the month at 6 p.m. Upcoming dates are Oct. 6, Nov. 3 and Dec. 1. Offered by the Mental Health Association in New Jersey, the agency’s PEWS program and the Emotional Support for Families of Color Initiative. To receive a link, email kreynolds@mhanj.org
Items for the Datebook may be sent to news@thetritownnews.com. Please submit items at least two weeks prior to a scheduled event.
