Community Bulletin Board
MJMOM meeting slated for Nov. 22 in Matawan

Mid-Jersey Mothers of Multiples Inc. (MJMOM) will hold its next general meeting Nov. 22 at the Jackson Street Firehouse, Matawan. Doors will open by 7:40 p.m., and meeting will begin at 8 p.m.

Mothers or expectant mothers of twins or other multiples are welcome to attend a meeting as a guest. The meeting will also feature a holiday boutique with items such as jewelry, lotions, books, children’s clothing, and home accessories.

For more information, visit the Web site at www.midjerseymoms.org.

Parks system presents Thanksgiving crafts, trip

The Monmouth County Park System will offer a Thanksgiving centerpiece craft program for adults Nov. 22 from 10-11:30 a.m. at Deep Cut Gardens, Red Hill Road, Middletown. Cost is $35.

A trip to Longwood Gardens, Delaware, will be Nov. 26 from 1:45-10:45 p.m. The trip is open to all ages, (under age 18 with an adult). Cost is $68 for transportation, garden tour, and a buffet at the Terrace Restaurant. The bus will depart Thompson Park. A holiday wreath-making workshop for adults will be Nov. 30 from 10 a.m. to noon at Deep Cut Gardens. Cost is $35.

For more information, call the park system at (732) 842-4000. The TDD number is 711.

Performing Arts Ensemble to perform ‘Nutcracker’

The Performing Arts Ensemble, Middletown, will present “The Nutcracker” Nov. 26 at 3 p.m. at Union County Arts Center, Irving Street, Rahway.

The ensemble will also perform the play locally Dec. 3 and 4 at 1 and 4 p.m., with a school show Dec. 2 at 10 a.m. at Two River Theatre Company, 21 Bridge Ave., Red Bank; and Dec. 10 and 11 at 3 p.m. at Strand Theater, Fourth and Clifton avenues, Lakewood. The group is celebrating its 25th birthday this year.

Performances will feature guest artists from Lincoln Center and other New York City companies. Tickets are $15, and $10 for children and seniors for the Union County show, $20 and $15, respectively for the Red Bank show, and $25, $20 and $15 with a $4 discount for children and seniors for the Lakewood show.

For tickets or more information, call (732) 671-9655 or (732) 706-7675.

‘Shop ’Til You Drop Extravaganza’ Dec. 1

Beers Street School, 610 Beers St., Holmdel, will hold its “Shop ’Til You Drop Extravaganza” Dec. 1 from 6-9 p.m. at the school’s Alessi gymnasium. The event will feature various gifts for the holiday season, and booths offering massages, manicures and haircuts. Coffee, tea and cookies will be offered during the first hour.

For more information, call Ellen at (732) 888-0235.

Area YMCAs sponsoring two $500 scholarships

The Community YMCA, Red Bank, and the YMCA of Western Monmouth County, Freehold, are sponsoring a Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Scholarship open to high school juniors and seniors in Monmouth County.

Two $500 scholarships to Brookdale Community College, Lincroft section of Middletown, will be awarded at the Community YMCA and the YMCA of Western Monmouth County’s annual “Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast” in January. Interested students must complete the essay form and return with an essay answering “How can I as a teen living in today’s world help promote Dr. King’s legacy of peace and acceptance of diversity?”

The Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Humanitarian Award will also be awarded.

The award recognizes students who exemplify the definition of humanitarian and convey the character values of the YMCA: caring, honesty, respect and responsibility. All high school students in Monmouth County may apply for the award.

For more information, call The Community YMCA at (732) 530-5144, ext. 10, or visit the Web site www.TheCommunityYMCA.org and click on Events, Essay Contest or Humanitarian Award for an application.

Enrollment for Brookdale ‘winterim’ begins Nov. 28

Brookdale Community College, Newman Springs Road, Lincroft section of Middletown, will begin open enrollment for its winterim term Nov. 28. Classes run Jan. 3-13. For a listing of courses, visit www.brookdalecc.edu. For more information, call recruitment services at (732) 224-1857.

Deadline for ‘Artist’s Day’ entries Dec. 15

The Monmouth County Arts Council, Red Bank, is now accepting entries through Dec. 15 for “Artist’s Day” at Sickles Market, Rumson Road, Little Silver. The event will be Jan. 28 and Feb. 25 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Interested individuals should submit a biography and three photos of the individual’s work. The event is an opportunity to display and sell artwork to the general public and meet fellow artists. For more information, call Leah or Mark at (732) 741-9563.

Entries are also being accepted for the 36th Monmouth Festival of the Arts through Dec. 30. The MCAC will be jurying artists Jan. 15, 26 and 30, for the show to be held April 1-5. Artists in all medium are welcome.

For more information, call (732) 747-8278 or visit the Web site at www.monmouthfestivalofthearts.com.

K of C wreath sale slated for Nov. 26, 27

The Knights of Columbus (K of C) Council No. 11349, Holmdel, will sponsor a grave blanket and wreath sale Nov. 26 and 27 following Masses at St. Benedict’s Roman Catholic Church, 165 Bethany Road, Holmdel. The wreaths are double-needle wreaths from fresh Maine balsam pine, measure 28-30 inches or 22-24 inches. Wreath pick up will be Dec. 4 and 5 after all Masses. Call Rich at (732) 739-9249.

Thanksgiving dinner, holiday parade in Hazlet

Hazlet Recreation will sponsor its third annual Thanksgiving dinner Nov. 23 from 6-8 p.m. at West Keansburg Fire House, Eighth Street and Laurel Avenue, West Keansburg section of Hazlet.

Area singles, seniors, families and one-parent families that may not be able to celebrate the holiday with family and friends are welcome to attend, and receive a complimentary dinner and entertainment. Transportation will also be provided, if needed. Individuals are asked to call Recreation with a number of individuals attending.

Recreation will sponsor a holiday parade Dec. 3 at noon beginning at Airport Plaza, and ending at Raritan High School, where there will be a holiday show at 1:30 p.m. Individuals interested in marching in the parade may call Recreation. The holiday tree and menorah lighting will also be Dec. 3 at 6 p.m. in front of Cullen Community Center, 1776 Union Ave. Hot chocolate and donuts will be served. The house-decorating contest will run Dec. 12-16 when final judging will take place.

For more information on the above, or to arrange transportation to the dinner, call Recreation at (732) 739-0653.

Museum’s Christmas display opens Nov. 20

The Monmouth Museum, Lincroft section of Middletown, will present “The Twelve Days of Christmas” through Jan. 8 at the museum on the campus of Brookdale Community College.

Garden clubs from Little Silver, Navesink section of Middletown, Oceanport and Shrewsbury; and RDF in Middletown; Bayberry Garden Club, Brielle; and Friends of the Monmouth Museum will create handmade ornaments to decorate several trees displayed at the museum. The museum will also offer its annual display of O-gauge, and G-gauge model trains.

Caroling and crafts will be Nov. 27, and holiday crafts program Dec. 4. Artist Broeck Steadman will illustrate “The 12 Days of Christmas” Dec. 11, and a multicultural crafts and stories program will be Dec. 18. All are from 2-3 p.m., unless otherwise noted.

Museum admission is $6 for individuals age 2 and older, and free for members. For more information, call the museum at (732) 747-2266.

Interfaith Thanksgiving service Nov. 23

The Bayshore Interfaith Ministerium will sponsor a Thanksgiving service Nov. 23 at 7:30 p.m. at Matawan United Methodist Church of Aberdeen, Atlantic Avenue and Church Street, Aberdeen.

The keynote speaker will be Rabbi Michael Pont of Temple Beth Ahm, Aberdeen. A free-will offering will be collected for the Bayshore food pantries.

Clergy and houses of worship taking part in the service are: the Rev. John Caster, First Presbyterian Church of Matawan; the Rev. Gary Costa, Cross of Glory Lutheran Church, Aberdeen; the Rev. Mark Devlin, St. Benedict’s Roman Catholic Church, Holmdel; the Rev. George Dounelis, Kimisis Tis Theotokou Greek Orthodox Church, Holmdel; the Rev. Anna Esposito, chaplain at Bayshore Community Hospital, Holmdel; the Rev. Rusty Eidmann-Hicks, Holmdel Community United Church of Christ; the Rev. Susan Flicker, Matawan United Methodist Church; Rabbi Laurence Malinger, Temple Shalom, Aberdeen; the Rev. Denise Mantell, Trinity Episcopal Church, Matawan; pastoral associate Glen Leo Mendonca, St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, New Monmouth section of Middletown; the Rev. Barbara Novick, Keansburg Methodist Church; and Rabbi Michael Pont, Temple Beth Ahm, Aberdeen. For more information, call Sharon at (732) 851-5764.

‘Taste of Holidays’ raises $24,000 for Girl Scouts

The Monmouth Council of Girl Scouts, Howell, raised more than $24,000 at its annual “Taste of the Holidays” held in early November at the Old Orchard Manor, Eatontown. More than 300 individuals attended the event, during which the 2006 Women of Distinction Award honorees were introduced. Proceeds from the event benefit the 12,000 girls and 4,000 adult volunteers the Council serves.

Food was supplied by 19 restaurants, including local establishments Anna’s Italian Kitchen, Middletown; Avanti, Oceanport; Culinary Education Center of Monmouth County, Asbury Park; Edible Arrangements, Ocean; Gaetano’s, Red Bank; It’s Greek to Me, Holmdel; Joe & Maggie’s Bistro, Long Branch; Morgan’s at the Holiday Inn, Tinton Falls; My Kitchen Witch, Monmouth Beach; Oakland House Caterers, Red Bank; Old Orchard Manor, Eatontown; Suzi’s Sweet Shoppe, Middletown; and The Melting Pot, Red Bank.

Mid. Woman’s Club trees project begins Nov. 25

The Woman’s Club of Middletown will conduct its seventh annual holiday gift trees project Nov. 25-Dec. 15 to benefit needy children in the Middletown Township area.

Trees decorated with gift tags and handmade ornaments will be located at Sovereign Bank branches at 1215 Route 35 north and 201 Harmony Road, Middletown, and Bank of America, Navesink River Road and Route 35 south, Middletown.

The public is invited to take one or more of the gift tags, purchase an appropriate gift for the child, and bring the gift, wrapped and labeled, to the respective banks by Dec. 15. The gifts will be given to the Visiting Nurse Association, Belford section of Middletown. The ornaments may also be purchased for $2 each, with proceeds benefiting the club’s other charitable community donations.

For information, call Barbara at (732) 671-3451 or Deborah at (732) 492-9570.

Thanksgiving dinners at Keyport church Nov. 24

St. Mary the Virgin Episcopal Church, 10 E. Front St., Keyport, will offer free take-out dinners Thanksgiving Day Nov. 24, with pickup from noon to 2 p.m. (no sit-down dinner this year).

Delivery is free, or orders may be picked up. To place an order, call (732) 673-8168.

Holmdel Fire Company sports card show Nov. 27

Holmdel Fire Company No. 1, Main Street, will hold a sports card show Nov. 27 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the firehouse. The show will feature sport cards, vintage cards, supplies, memorabilia, autographs, and figurines. Admission is free.

For more information, call (732) 780-2581.

‘Heaven Can Wait’ opens at Mat-Ab. H.S. Dec. 1

Matawan-Aberdeen High School, 450 Atlantic Ave., Aberdeen, will present “Heaven Can Wait” Dec. 1 at 7:30 p.m., Dec. 2 and 3 at 8 p.m., and Dec. 4 at 2 p.m. at the Annie Hannah auditorium.

The play will be by Harry Segall, and produced by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service Inc. Tickets are $8 - $4. For more information, call the school at (732) 290-2800.

Santa’s arrival, breakfast, house tour in Keyport

The Keyport Business Alliance is sponsoring several holiday events.

Keyport will welcome the arrival of Santa Claus Nov. 26 from 6-9 p.m. at the minipark on West Front Street, where Santa will light the Christmas tree.

A portion of West Front Street between Broad and Beers streets will be closed to traffic during the events. Christmas carols will be sung, and the Keyport Fire Department will welcome Santa. Breakfast with Santa will be held Dec. 3, 10 and 17 from 10 a.m. to noon at IHOP at Keyport Stop & Shop Plaza, Routes 35 and 36. The children’s menu will be specially priced at $2.99. Reservations may be made by calling IHOP at (732) 264-2390.

Keyport’s “Candlelight Holiday House Tour” will be held Dec. 10 from 4-9 p.m. The tour will feature homes, churches and public buildings. Trolleys will transport tour-goers to all stops (rain or shine). Tickets are $18, or $15 in advance through Dec. 9, and are available at Keyport Army Navy, 14 W. Front St.; The Front Porch Emporium, 36 W. Front St.; and Bad Bob’s Barbeque, 27 W. Front St.

For more information or to purchase tour tickets by phone, call Allen Consulting at (732) 946-2711.

Letters to Santa accepted beginning Nov. 28

Holmdel Parks & Recreation has announced it will accept children’s letters to Santa Claus from Nov. 28 through Dec. 15 at its “North Pole” mailbox at town hall on Crawfords Corner Road.

Letters submitted by Dec. 15 will be answered. The writer should include full name and address, a wish list, and information about family and friends.

The Christmas tree and menorah lighting will take place Dec. 4 at 5 p.m. at town hall. The public is invited to attend the event, which will include a “surprise” visitor, entertainment and refreshments.

For more information, call Recreation at (732) 946-2870.

Nominations under way for historic sites list

Preservation New Jersey, Trenton, is accepting nominations for its 2006 list of the “10 Most Endangered Historic Sites in New Jersey,” with application deadline Nov. 30.

The list, and related programs, aid local efforts through public awareness of historic preservation issues, resources and opportunities. Criteria for consideration is architectural integrity and/or historical significance, an identifiable threat, and the likelihood that inclusion on the list will have a positive effect on preservation efforts of the site. The 2006 list will be announced in May.

To receive a nomination form, call Preservation New Jersey at (609) 392-6409 or visit www.pnj10most.org.

Chorale to sing Rutter’s ‘Mass of the Children’

The Concordia Chorale will premiere Rutter’s “Mass of the Children” Nov. 27 at Carnegie Hall, New York City. The group will perform the work locally Dec. 11 at 7 p.m. at the Middletown United Methodist Church, 924 Middletown-Lincroft Road; and Dec. 16 at 7:30 p.m. at St. Michael’s Roman Catholic Church, Ocean Avenue, West End section of Long Branch. Call (732) 495-2066 or e-mail CVAcademy@aol.com.