Community Bulletin Board
Public servants to be honored at Matawan Day

John Williams, President of the Matawan Fire Police Company, has announced nine deceased members of the Fire Police Company, and one deceased Matawan Council Member will be honored during the annual Matawan Day celebration Sept. 24 at Terhune Park, Main Street.

Honorees are Al Adler, Jerry Almenas, Pat D'aloia, Frank Gray, George Hudson, Skeets Longstreet, former Councilman and Fire Commissioner Joseph Penniplede, George Petrosky, Bill Radcliffe, and Ozzie Sickles. Honors will consist of a procession and ceremony at noon, with all Matawan fire companies, officers, men, and trucks participating. Main speaker will be Frances Adler, daughter of Al Adler, and retired chairperson of the business education department at Matawan Regional High School.

Following the ceremony, the newly refurbished 1965 Ford Fire Police Truck will be rededicated, and a plaque with the names of the honorees affixed to the plaque.

All relatives of the honored individuals are invited to take part in the ceremony, and all members of fire police companies throughout the Bayshore area.

For more information, call John at (732) 583-6846.

Vendors sought for Holy Family School festival

Holy Family School, 910 Route 36 east, Hazlet, is seeking vendors for its fall festival and flea market Oct. 14 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. (rain date Oct. 21). Vendor set up begins at 6 a.m. The event will feature a flea market and activities for the whole family. Vendor spaces are $20 each. For more information, call Traci at (732) 335-8625 or Laurie at (732) 739-3295.

Fitness, trip to Butley offered by Hazlet Rec.

Hazlet Recreation will sponsor "Beginner Pilates" for residents age 18 and older Thursdays beginning Sept. 28 from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. beginning Sept. 28.

"Gentle Yoga" for individuals age 18 and older will be offered Thursdays from 10:30-11:30 a.m. beginning Sept. 28. A mat or towel, and water bottle are required for either class. Both classes run for six weeks, and cost is $67. Registration will be accepted through the last working day before either program or a $15 late fee will be assessed. Classes are at James J. Cullen Center, 1776 Union Ave., Hazlet.

A trip to see "Butley" starring Nathan Lane at Booth Theatre, New York City, will be Oct. 11 departing at 4 p.m. (8 p.m. show). Cost is $74 for bus transportation and rear mezzanine seating. The bus will depart the parking lot at Hazlet Library on Middle Road. Tickets are first-come, first-served.

For more information, call Recreation at (732) 739-0653.

Elks 'Steal' bingo night slated for Sept. 22

Keyport-Matawan Elks No. 2030, 249 Broadway, Keyport, will hold a "Steal" bingo night Sept. 22 at 7 p.m. Attendees are asked to bring at $10 wrapped gift and $8 admission. Coffee and desert are included in admission. For tickets or more information, call Violet at (732) 495-1510.

Circus at St. Catherine's Church Sept. 21

Members of the St. Catherine's Holy Name Society, 110 Bray Ave., Middletown, will host the Alain Zerbini Circus Sept. 21 with shows at 5:15 and 7:30 p.m.

The circus features acts by acrobats, jugglers, hand-balancing women, clowns, aerial artists, unicyclists and animal trainers. There will also be a man performing on the giant "wheel of destiny." There fill be pony and camel rides. Featured animals include alligators, snakes and reptiles. Refreshments will also be available for purchase. Admission is $10 on the day of show, and $8 in advance. For more information, call (732) 337-4127.

Keyport VFW family picnic set for Sept. 23

Keyport Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post No. 4247 will hold its annual family picnic Sept. 23 from 1-6 p.m. at the post home at Third and Waverly streets. Cost is $10, $5 for children age 6-12, and free for children younger than age 6.

For more information, call (732) 264-8391.

Registration for Harvest Home Festival under way

The Monmouth County Park System will hold a "Harvest Home Festival" Sept. 24 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. at Longstreet Farm, Longstreet Road, Holmdel. Deadline to enter the competition is Sept. 20.

Residents are invited to enter the amateur home and garden competition, with categories as follows: vegetables, canning, condiments, baked goods, crocheting, knitting, embroidery, needlepoint and plastic canvas, quilting, weaving, and rug hooking and braiding. Winners will be awarded a prize ribbons.

Interested individuals should call the Farm at (732) 945-3758. For more information, call the Park System at (732) 842-4000. The TDD number is 711.

Ramblers Square Dance Club open house Sept. 22

The Middletown Ramblers Square Dance Club will sponsor a square dance open house Sept. 22 from 7:30-10 p.m. at Thompson Park Activity Barn, Route 520, Lincroft section of Middletown.

No dancing experience is needed, and the caller will give clear instructions as he calls the dance. Admission is free, and refreshments will be provided. Children must be accompanied by a parent. For more information, call Betty at (732) 291-1188 or Phyllis at (732) 450-1931.

Classes begin Sept. 26 from 7:30-9:30 p.m. at the Henry Hudson Trail Activity Center, Route 36, Atlantic Highlands. For information, call Betty at (732) 291-1188 or visit the Web site at www.monmouthcountyparks.com

Oratorio to be performed at dedication Sept. 24

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, Route 36 and Miller Street, Highlands, will hold an organ dedication ceremony Sept. 24 at 3 p.m.

The oratorio "The Passion of Our Lord According to St. Luke," attributed to J.S. Bach will be performed at the event. The 40-member festival choir of the Alliance of Catholic Music Ministers under the direction of Shawn Tiberius Mack, Tinton Falls, will give the performance. The choir is managed by Paul Bergin, Middletown, and includes members from St. Agnes Church, Atlantic Highlands (where he is organist); Holy Family Church, Union Beach; Church of the Nativity, Fair Haven; St. Mary's, New Monmouth section of Middletown; and Our Lady of Perpetual Help.

Admission is free, and a free-will offering will be taken. For more information, call (732) 872-1290.

Middletown Library talk on cyber crime Sept. 26

Middletown Public Library, 55 New Monmouth Road, will present "Internet Safety for Parents - Cybercrime" Sept. 26 at 7 p.m. The speaker will be Justyna Kilbourne, a Monmouth County resident and senior investigator at AOL with 10 years of experience in Internet safety and investigation. She will present information on what every parent needs to know to keep children safe on the Internet.

Topics include basics of the Internet, how to keep children safe online, cyberbullying, and MySpace.com. Preregistration is required, and may be done by calling the library at (732) 671-3700, ext. 320, e-mailing programs@mtpl.org, or e-mailing the Middletown Newcomers Club at pamelagermek@yahoo.com.

Awana begins at Lincroft church Sept. 21

Lincroft Bible Church, 790 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft section of Middletown, will offer Awana, an international Bible-centered children's program beginning Sept. 21 from 6:45-8:15 p.m. The program consists of an organized game time, Bible memorization and teaching time.

To register, call the church at (732) 747 1231, or visit the Web site at www.lincroftbiblechurch.org.

Antique, rummage sale

at church Sept. 23

Calvary United Methodist Church, Third and Osborn Streets, Keyport, will hold a rummage and antique sale Sept. 23 from 10 a..-3 p.m. The sale will feature items such as clothing, household items, antiques, furniture, toys and other items.

For more information, call the church at (732) 264-1492.

Tickets now available

for 'Cow Pie Bingo'

Tickets are now on sale for "Cow Pie Bingo," sponsored by Middletown Reformed Church. The fundraiser will be held Sept. 23 at 1 p.m. at Potter's Farm, Red Hill Road, Middletown. Tickets are $20, and books of 10 are available. Each ticket gets the buyer a chance at $5,000.

A limited number of tickets are sold. Tickets are drawn at random and assigned to spaces on the bingo board painted onto the pasture at the farm. A cow is then led into the "playing field," and wherever the first cow "pie" falls, that square is the winner of $5,000. The decisions of the judges are final, and winner need not be present to win. The event will also feature games, face painting, a petting zoo, and gift basket auctions. Refreshments and baked goods will also be for sale.

Call the church at (732) 671-1786.

Banned Books Week 2006 Sept. 23-30

The Monmouth County Library branches are participating Banned Books Week 2006 Sept. 23-30. The nationwide event is a celebration of every individual's freedom to read, and is endorsed by The Library of Congress Center for the Book. Banned Book displays will feature yellow "caution" tape surrounding a selection of books banned or challenged. Patrons are encouraged to "Throw Caution to the Wind - You Are Free to Read Banned or Challenged Books!" Books that have been challenged range from the Holy Bible to works such as Steinbeck's "Of Mice and Men," "To Kill A Mockingbird" by Harper Lee, and "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" by J.K. Rowling. Call Monmouth County Library Headquarters at (732) 431-7220 or visit www.ala.org/bbooks.