Community Bulletin Board
‘Haunted Woods’ at Tindall Park Oct. 29

The senior class at Middletown High School North will present “Haunted Woods” Oct. 29 from 6-10 p.m. at Tindall Park, Tindall Road, across from the high school.

The event will feature a “scary” trail and a “happy trail” for younger children, and refreshments will be available. Admission is $5, and $2 for children.

For more information, call the school at (732) 706-6061.

Fort Hancock Day at Sandy Hook Oct. 30

The Sandy Hook Unit of Gateway National Recreation Area will hold Fort Hancock Day from noon to 4 p.m. Oct. 30.

Activities will begin at Fort Hancock Museum and will include tours given by the Army Ground Forces Association of gun batteries not normally open to the public. Demonstrations and displays about the lifestyle of an Army soldier from 1899 through World War II will also be featured, as will tours of the Nike missile radar site and Battery Potter.

Other sites that will be open to the public include History House, a military residence along Officer’s Row, open from noon to 5 p.m., and Sandy Hook lighthouse from noon to 4:30 p.m. Lighthouse tours are on a first-come, first-served basis, and children must be 48 inches or taller to climb the tower.

Visitors may stop by the museum for a program of the day’s activities. For more information, call Sandy Hook Visitor Center at (732) 872-5970.

Free programs at area library Oct. 26, 27

Matawan Aberdeen Public Library, 165 Main St., Matawan, will present “Facta and ID Theft” Oct. 26. “Hypnosis and Emotional Freedom Techniques for Addictions” will be presented Oct. 27. Both programs are free, and will be at 7 p.m. Registration is required. To register, call the library at (732) 583-9100.

Aberdeen annual fall beach cleanup Oct. 29

Aberdeen will hold its annual fall beach cleanup Oct. 29 from 9 a.m. to noon at Cliffwood Beach. Attendees should meet at the fishermen’s parking lot on Lakeshore Drive near Whale Creek bridge, and wear comfortable clothing and bring work gloves. The event is sponsored by the Aberdeen Township Environmental and Shade Tree Advisory Board, and the Monmouth County Clean Communities program. For more information, call Adeline at (732) 566-7310.

Vendors sought for Half Century Club boutique

Holmdel Half Century Club is seeking vendors for its holiday boutique Nov. 1 from 1-3 p.m. at the Holmdel Senior Center, Crawfords Corner Road. Tables are $25 and may be secured by calling Joanne at (732) 739-2058.

The club’s meeting will also be Nov. 1 at 11:30 a.m. at the center. An old film, popcorn and soda will be offered at Hazlet Multiplex Cinema Nov. 7 at 1 p.m. for a $1 fee. A trip to see “Salute to Our Soldiers” at the Sands Casino, Atlantic City, will be Nov. 9 from 9:15 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. (show time 1:30 p.m.). Price is $40 for bus transportation, the show, lunch and a $15 slots credit.

The club will hold a meeting Nov. 15 at noon. Its Thanksgiving luncheon will be Nov. 17 at noon at Lakeside Manor, 410 Route 36, Hazlet. Cost is $30 per nonmember and $15 per member for the luncheon with a choice of turkey or roast beef, and a mixed drink or wine.

For more information, call Agnes at (732) 264-4131.

Vendors sought for Christmas craft show’

Vendors are now being sought for the St. Joseph School’s annual “Christmas Carousel Craft Show” Nov. 12 at Betty Madden Memorial Auditorium at the school at 376 Maple Place, Keyport. For more information, call (732) 264-2350.

Halloween party

at Keyport Post Oct. 29

Keyport American Legion Raritan Post No. 23, 81 W. Front St., will hold its second annual Halloween party Oct. 29 at 8 p.m. at the post home. Tickets are $12.50 each for the event featuring a buffet dinner, music, refreshments and a costume prize.

For more information, call the post after 4 p.m. at (732) 264-9450.

Keyport Halloween parade slated for Oct. 30

The Keyport Emergency Services Department will hold a Halloween parade Oct. 30 at 1:30 p.m. beginning at Firemen’s Park.

The parade will continue through downtown Keyport and end at Central School for judging and awarding of prizes. Prizes will be given for “prettiest,” “most original,” “funniest” and “scariest” in the categories of newborn to age 5, age 6-10, and age 11-15. There will also be “family group” (three or more) same theme prizes, and prizes for floats.

For more information, call Ken at (732) 739-5143.

Halloween breakfast

at St. Benedict’s Oct. 30

The St. Benedict’s Knights of Columbus Council 11349, Holmdel, will hold a Halloween breakfast 8:30-11 a.m. Oct. 30 at the parish hall, 165 Bethany Road.

The cost is $5 per adult and $4 per child, with a maximum family price of $15., for “all you can eat” pancakes, eggs and sausage. Children are welcome to attend in costume. For more information, call Rich at (732) 739-9249.

Police chief asks for cooperation Oct. 30, 31

Middletown Township Chief of Police Robert Oches is requesting the businesses and residents leave lights on during the Halloween period of Oct. 30 and 31, as a deterrent to vandalism.

The police department will have sufficient coverage, but is asking that outside lights be left on during the two evenings. He also suggests to residents to get in the habit of putting outside lights on year round to deter not only vandals, but other crime(s) as well.

Trick or treating is limited to Oct. 31, and the chief is asking parents to accompany children, and suggests ending trick or treating at 7 p.m. As a precaution, parents should stress the refusal of unwrapped candy, and examine fruit before eating. Also, children should wear light-colored or reflective clothing when dusk sets in, and carry flashlights as well.

Any individual involve din criminal mischief will be promptly arrested, and parents held responsible for any damage done by children. An 8 p.m. curfew will be in effect, and the chief is asking for the township’s cooperation.

Safety tips suggested during Halloween period

The AAA New Jersey Automobile Club, Florham Park, wishes to remind parents to exercise caution during the Halloween period. To reduce risks for young pedestrians, the following are suggested:

• Motorists should drive slower through neighborhoods, as children dart from house to house collecting candy

• Parents are encouraged to walk with children while trick or treating and show children safe places to cross the street

• Children and parents should wear light-colored clothing or costumes with reflective material or tape for the best visibility

• Children should carry flashlights

• Trick or treaters should walk facing traffic is there are no sidewalks

• Parents should create a neighborhood map so children and parents agree on the safest trick-or-treating route

• Try using face paint instead of masks for a costume, as masks can limit the ability to see and hear oncoming traffic.

Matawan Halloween

costume parade Oct. 29

The Borough of Matawan Recreation Commission will sponsor a Halloween costume parade Oct. 29 at 1 p.m. at the community center, 201 Broad St., Matawan.

First-, second- and third-place prizes will be awarded for most creative costumes in age groups 1-3, 4-7 and 8-11. There will be a free Halloween mask art and craft activity, favors, and hot apple cider and coffee.

For more information, call Recreation at (732) 566-3898, ext. 130.

Program on Ichabod Crane at center Oct. 26

The Atlantic Highlands Historical Society will present “Ichabod Crane, Washington Irving and the Legend of Sleepy Hollow” Oct. 26 at 7:30 p.m. at the Atlantic Highlands Senior Center at Atlantic Highlands Marina, First Avenue.

The one-man presentation will star Neill Hartley of the American Historical Theatre as Washington Irving. As Crane, Hartley will discuss his early and later life, and literary career, and read passages from some of his other works. Refreshments will be available. The program is free, thanks to funding from the New Jersey Council of the Humanities. Call the society at (732) 291-9917 or visit www.atlantichighlandshistory.org/.

Clothing drive at Ravine Drive School Oct. 29

Ravine Drive Elementary School, 170 Ravine Drive, Matawan, in conjunction with PAL, will hold its annual fall clothing drive Oct. 29 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Half of all proceeds received will be going to the Katrina relief fund. Interested individuals are asked to put all clean clothes, linens, paired shoes, and stuffed animals to be donated in large black garbage bags, and drive into the school parking lot, where the items will be unloaded.

For more information, call Debbi at (732) 583-4023.