Community Bulletin Board
Tickets now available for Culinary Adventure

CPC Behavioral Healthcare, Middletown, will hold its "Culinary Adventure" Oct. 23 at the Sheraton in Eatontown. The food and wine tasting will be kicked-off by a live cooking show from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. by Cajun chef Scott Landry, followed by the tasting from 6 to 9 p.m. The event will also feature the annual raffle of the "All in Bloom" quilt, valued at $1,000 and created by CPC quilters. The quilt will be displayed Sept. 30-Oct. 1 at the Cottage Craft Show at the Colts Neck Fairgrounds. Landry has shared the stage with chefs such as Paul Prudhomme, Martin Yan and John Folse. Local restaurants featured at the event include Dearborn Farms, Holmdel; Drew's Bayshore Bistro, Keyport; and Midtown Restaurant, Middletown. The event will also feature silent and gift auctions, and live music by Dave Miller, Long Branch. Quilt raffle tickets are $2 per ticket or $10 for a book of five. Advance registration is recommended for the tasting, but walk-ins will be accommodated on a space-available basis. The price is $90 for the cooking show and food tasting, and $70 for the tasting alone. Proceeds will benefit individuals needing counseling provided by CPC. Sponsorships and journal advertisements are available. For more information, call CPC at (732) 935-2222 or visit www.cpcbehavioral.org.

Poricy's summer super 50/50 ends Sept. 29

Poricy Park, Oak Hill Road, Middletown, is holding a summer super 50/50 through Sept. 29. Tickets are $1 each and one winner will be announced Sept. 30. Proceeds benefit Poricy Park Conservancy and Murray Farmhouse.

The final fossil hunt of the year Oct. 8 at 1 p.m. Cost is $5 per person, and attendees should wear old shoes. October Faces for children in grades one through four will be Oct. 12 Oct. 12 from 4-5:15 p.m. Attendees will take part in various activities and crafts. Fee $12.00 members, $15.00 nonmembers, and preregistration is required (maximum of 15 children).

Apple Harvest Day will be Oct. 15 at 1 p.m. at Murray farmhouse. Attendees will help press apple cider using a vintage press, and sample various apple offerings. Fee is $3 per person ($10 maximum per family), and free for members. A "scare-a-crow" contest will be Oct. 22 at 1 p.m. Poricy will provide a stand and the straw, and attendees should bring clothes and accessories needed to make a scarecrow. Entries will be judged and the first place winner will be awarded a one-year park family membership. Fee is $9 for nonmembers, and $7 for members, and preregistration must be done by Oct. 20.

Poricy will offer two "haunted Halloween trails" Oct. 29 from 6-10 p.m. (rain date Nov. 4). The "trick or treat trail" is suitable for younger guests only, and is a 15-minute walk during which children will encounter various (non-threatening) characters. Children receive either a trick or treat at each stop. The "trail of terror" is not suitable for young children. The walk is approximately 15 minutes, and features live displays. Both trails end at Murray barn, where refreshments and goodies will be served. Fee is $5 per person per trail.

All the above meet at the nature center, unless otherwise noted. For more information, call Poricy at (732) 842-5966.

Ravine Drive School clothing drive Sept. 30

Ravine Drive Elementary School, Matawan, will hold its fall clothing drive fundraiser Sept. 30 from 9 a.m. to noon. Clean clothing, shoes, pocket books, linen, backpacks, and stuffed animals should be placed in large black plastic bags for drop-off at the school's main parking lot. A portion of the fundraiser will be donated to the Christine Crusader's JDRF Walk Team. For more information, call Debbi at (732) 583-4023.

Keyport students on NJN television Sept. 30

Four-year old students from Keyport Central School will be featured on the New Jersey Network (NJN) Public Television show Classroom Close-up, NJ, Sept. 30 at 9 a.m.

The students are involved in a storytelling project which includes interacting with children at Red Bank Primary School via video conferencing. The students will act out stories for the Red Bank students as part of a high scope curriculum which involves active learning.

Audubon bird walk

Oct. 7 at Sandy Hook

The Monmouth County Audubon Society will host an autumn bird walk Oct. 7 at 9 a.m. beginning at the visitors center at Sandy Hook.

Audubon members will lead the trip, and attendees will search for migrating raptors, shorebirds and songbirds. Advance registration is not required, and attendees should bring binoculars and dress appropriately for the weather. Pets are not permitted.

The society's next meeting will be Oct. 11 at 8 p.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church, White Street, Red Bank. Guest speaker will be Dr. Robert DeCandido, researcher and expert on hawk migration.

He will present "Asia Birds: From East to West and Back Again."

He has worked on several raptor-related projects such as studying nesting bald eagles, and the reintroduction of the peregrine falcon in California.

The program features photos taken by DeCandido and Deborah Allen during several trips to Asia primarily to study raptor migration.

Both the above are open members and nonmembers.

For more information, call (732) 872-2473, visit the Web site at www.monmouthaudubon.org, or e-mail mcas01-@bellatlantic.net.

Reservations due Oct. 15 for Atlantic City trip

The travel group of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, New Monmouth section of Middletown, will sponsor a trip to see the Joey Canzano Show at Tropicana Casino, Atlantic City, Oct. 26, with reservations prepaid by Oct. 15. The bus will depart the parking lot at Mater Dei High School, Cherry Tree Farm Road, New Monmouth, at 9:30 a.m. and return by 7:30 p.m. Price is $22, which covers transportation, $10 coin rebate, and ticket to the show. Canzano is known as "The Man of Many Voices." For more information, call Pat at (732) 615-9088.

'Diving the Plymouth Wreck' program Oct. 2

The Keyport Historical Society will host a presentation by Dan Lieb, "Diving the Plymouth Wreck," Oct. 2 at 7:30 p.m. at its monthly "Monday Evening" events at the Steamboat Dock Museum at the foot of Broad Street, Keyport. The society's 10th annual Victorian tea and fashion show has been canceled. For more information, call (732) 739-6390. Advance tickets will soon be available for the 2006 Keyport Candlelight House Tour, set for Dec. 9. Tickets are $18 in advance and will be $20 on tour day. Call (732) 739-6390.

CILU to present lecture on state's shores Oct. 9

Citizens for Informed Land Use (CILU), Holmdel, will sponsor the lecture "What Is Happening to New Jersey's Bay, Shoreline, Ocean and Marine Life - and, Why Should We Care?" by oceanography expert Robert Abel Oct. 9 at 8 p.m.

The free lecture will be held at the Holmdel Senior Community Center, Crawfords Corner Road. Abel is the author of three books and several articles, provides expertise to federal and state agencies, and is a former head of Sandy Hook Laboratories.

The public is welcome, and refreshments will be served. For more information, call Anne at (732) 671-9457.

Register for coastal field trip by Oct. 5

The Jersey Shore Partnership Inc., Red Bank, has announced as part of the American Shore & Beach Preservation Association's (ASBPA) national conference, "Enhancing Our Nation's Coast Through Science, Technology and Education" Oct. 9-11 in Long Branch, the ASBPA will host a tour of the northern New Jersey beaches Oct 8 at 2 p.m. Registration closes Oct. 5.

The tour is open to the public, and will begin at Ocean Place Resort and Spa, Long Branch. It will end at 5 p.m. with a reception at the New Jersey Marine Sciences Consortium (NJMSC) building, Fort Hancock, Sandy Hook. Return to the hotel will be at 6:30 p.m. The trip will include a guided bus tour of the northern portion of the Sea Bright to Manasquan Beach Erosion Control Project, Sandy Hook, and the facilities of the New Jersey Sea Grant and NJMSC. Sites will include the seawall fronted by six miles of beach fill, important areas in the beach fill project, and the "critical zone" at Sandy Hook. Cost is $50 per person.

The nonprofit Partnership is an advocacy organization for beach replenishment, and a member of the ASBPA. To register, visit www.asbpa.org/-pdfs/06regisCONF1.pdf or call the ASBPA at (239) 489-2616.

Volunteers sought for violence response team

The Keyport Police Department in collaboration with 180, Turning Lives Around, Hazlet, is seeking volunteers age 18 and older for the Northern Regional Domestic Violence Response Team.

Volunteers will work with police to provided support, information, referrals, and a safety plan at the time of crisis. Volunteers respond only to police headquarters. Applicants must have access to transportation, possess a valid driver's license, be willing to serve on an on-call shift basis, and submit to background investigations. A 40-hour mandatory training course is required. The course will be held Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings Oct. 23-Nov. 15 at the Matawan-Aberdeen Board of Education Offices, 1 Crest Way, Aberdeen.

For an application or more information, call Patrolman Shannon Hyman at the Keyport Police Department, (732) 264-0706, ext. 2222.

Flotilla 22 boating course begins Oct. 9

United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 22, Sandy Hook, will offer "America's Boating Course" for four Mondays beginning Oct. 9 from 7-9 p.m. at Red Bank Regional High School, Hance Road, Little Silver (please arrive at 6:30 p.m. for the first class). Fee is $50, which includes all materials. Discounts are available for groups of three or more. Call Len at (732) 566-2243.

Walks, tours at Sandy Hook during October

Gateway National Park at Sandy Hook will present "Harbor Lights" Oct. 1 at 2 p.m. at Twin Lights Historic Site, Highlands.

Attendees should bring binoculars to the free event in order to view lightships and buoys in the bay. Reservations are required and may be made by calling (732) 872-1814 or e-mailing Twinlights@monmouth.com. A moon walk will be offered by the Brookdale Community College Ocean Institute Oct. 4 at 6 p.m. at Building 53, Fort Hancock. Reservations and a fee are required. For reservations, call (732) 224-2435.

A monarch butterfly walk led by a Park ranger will be Oct. 8 at 2 p.m. The New Jersey Lighthouse Challenge 2006 sponsored by the New Jersey Lighthouse Society will be Oct. 14 and 15 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Attendees may visit Sandy Hook Lighthouse and any or all of New Jersey's 11 lighthouses on the Atlantic and Delaware Bay, which will be open for tours. For more information, visit www.njlhs.org/challenge/challenge.html. The New Jersey Marine Sciences Consortium (NJMSC) will hold a salt marsh investigation Oct. 14 at 11 a.m. at building 22 at Fort Hancock.

A night prowl will be Oct. 20 at 7 p.m. Attendees should bring a flashlight. The 21st annual Clean Ocean Action fall beach sweep will be Oct. 21 at 9 a.m. at Area E. Volunteers are needed to clean the Hook's beaches. For more information, call (732) 872-0111 or e-mail Education@cleanoceanaction.org. A Junior Rangers program will be led by a park ranger Oct. 22 at 2 p.m. "Hallow-marine" will be offered by the NJMSC Oct. 28 at 5 p.m. at building 22 at Fort Hancock. Attendees will receive a "haunted" tour of the Hook complete with pirates and ghosts of the fort.

"Battery Gunnison in World War II" will be Oct. 28 and 29 from noon to 4 p.m. at Gunnison beach. Volunteer historians of the Army Grounds Forces WWII will be dressed as WWII-era coat artillery soldiers and demonstrate how the guns of the battery were aimed and fired. Fort Hancock Day will be Oct. 29 from noon to 4 p.m. at the fort and feature events marking the 1895 anniversary of the establishment of the fort. Tours will be available of buildings not normally open to the public, and living history re-enactors from the Civil War through WWII will be present.

All the above are free and at the visitor center, unless otherwise noted. For reservations or more information, call (732) 872-5970, unless otherwise noted. Reservations and a fee are required for all NJMSC program. For reservations, call (732) 872-1300, ext. 30 or visit www.njmsc.org.

Center announces blood drives during October

Central Jersey Blood Center, Shrewsbury, has announced the following local blood drives:

+ Oct. 3, 3-7 p.m., a drive for Karyn Katz at New Monmouth School, 121 New Monmouth Road, New Monmouth section of Middletown.

+ Oct. 5 from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., and 6-8:30 p.m., at Bayshore Community Hospital, 727 N. Beers St., Holmdel.

+ Oct. 11, 1:30-4:30 p.m., at the Middletown post office, 1601 Route 35 north.

+ Oct. 16, 5-8 p.m., at Bayshore Fitness, Airport Plaza, Route 36 east, Hazlet.

+ Oct. 18, 6-9 p.m., at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 94 Tindall Road, Middletown.

+ Oct. 23, 12:30-4:30 p.m., at the student life center, Brookdale Community College, Newman Springs Road, Lincroft section of Middletown.

+ Oct. 29 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Temple Beth Ahm, 359 Lloyd Road, Aberdeen.

The donation process takes about an hour. Donors must also complete a medical history interview and have a mini-physical (temperature, iron, pulse and blood pressure screening). Interested donors must be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds, and be in good health. All donors must present signature identification at the time of registration.

Donations may also be made at Central Jersey Blood Center, 494 Sycamore Ave., Shrewsbury. To schedule an appointment, call the center at (732) 842-5750.

Artwork, free programs slated at Mat. Library

Matawan Aberdeen Public Library, 165 Main St., Matawan, will present "Leadership Skills Through Mediation" Sept. 27. A program on college financial planning will be Sept. 28. Both programs are free and at 7 p.m. Registration is required and may be done by calling the library at (732) 583-9100.

The library will display paintings and drawings by students of Monmouth County Arts High School during the month of October.

Featured students are Cassandra Bernadini, Middletown High School South; Jessica Chepauskas and Emily Hueston, Middletown High School North; Christine Cittadino and Liia Magi, Monmouth Regional High School, Tinton Falls; Suzanne Herlihy, Red Bank Catholic High School. The works are by gifted and talented students that participated in the Arts High School program, which offers advanced arts classes in writing, dance, instrumental music, vocal music, acting and visual arts.

The library will offer a program on self hypnosis Oct. 5. "How to Recover Your Losses from the Stock Market" will be Oct. 7. Both free programs are at 7 p.m., and registration is required.

To register, call the library at (732) 583-9100.

Tickets available Sept. 27 for team's silent auction

The Raritan High School swim team is accepting donations of baskets, prizes or gift certificates for its silent auction Oct. 6 at the high school's cafeteria at 419 Middle Road, Hazlet.

Doors open at 6 p.m., and calling will be from 7-10 p.m. Admission, which includes coffee and dessert, is $10, with tickets available after Sept. 27. Ticket backs valued at $30 are available for $25 in an advance sale Sept. 27-Oct. 5. Individual tickets will also be sold at the auction.

Advertisement spaces are still available. For more information, call Margie at (732) 888-1573 or Frances at (732) 203-9815.

Annual blessing of pets at church Oct. 1

Trinity Episcopal Church, 18 Ryers Lane, Matawan, will hold its 18th annual blessing of pets Oct. 1 at 12:15 p.m. The community is invited to attend. The church's Ecumenical prayer group will meet the second Thursday of each month from 7:30-9 p.m., and all are welcome. For more information, call the church at (732) 591-9210.

Vendors sought for Middletown Day Sept. 30

The Middletown Day Committee is seeking craft vendors for Middletown Day 2006 to be held Sept. 30 from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. at Croydon Hall, Leonardville Road, Leonardo section of Middletown (rain or shine). Space is also available in the event's car show.

Registration for a 10-by-10-foot space is $50, and $90 for a double space. Registration must be paid in advance, and vendors must supply a tax certificate. The car show features antique and classic cars from the tristate area. Cars restored to original condition or modified are welcome. Preregistration is $12, and is $15 on event day. Middletown Day will also feature live entertainment, a circus, games, a petting zoom, and emergency service demonstrations and other activities. For more information call, Steve at (732) 615-2260, ext. 2235. Registration forms are at www.middletownnj.org.

Registration under way for SPCA dog walk

Registration and sponsorships are now being accepted for the 13th annual pet fair and dog walk sponsored by the Monmouth County SPCA, Eatontown. The walk will be Oct. 7 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. It will be at a new location this year, Brookdale Community College, Newman Springs Road, Lincroft section of Middletown (in the event of rain the event will be moved indoors to Collin's arena). It will feature contests, canine demonstrations, pet portraits, music, arts and crafts, face painting and other activities.

For registration or sponsorship forms, call (732) 542-2030 or visit .

Tickets now on sale

for Halloween dance

Tickets are now available for the North Centerville Volunteer Company Ladies Auxiliary's Halloween dance Oct. 28 from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. The dance will be at the firehouse at 372 Middle Road, Hazlet. Cost is $45 per couple, and $25 per person. For ticket or more information, call (732)- 264-9404, ext. 6.

Deadline Oct. 12 for Oktoberfest reservations

Reservations are now being accepted for the 2006 Oktoberfest Oct. 21 at 5 p.m. at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, 112 Middletown Road, Holmdel.

The event will feature plentiful German food and special desserts with several types of apple dishes A $15 contribution is suggested per adult, and small donation is appreciated for children's meals.

Proceeds benefit Community Outreach Group (COG), 10-member churches in Holmdel and Middletown, that provide support for homeless and others in crisis in Monmouth County.

Reservations must be made by Oct. 12.

For reservations or more information, call (732) 842-4596, from 9 a.m. to noon.

Players' 'An Inspector Calls' opens Oct. 7

The Monmouth Players will present J.B. Priestley's "An Inspector Calls" Oct. 7, 14, 20, 21, 27 and 28 at 8:15 p.m.; and Oct. 8, 15 and 22 at 2:30 p.m. at the Navesink Library Theater, Sears and Monmouth avenues, Navesink section of Middletown. Reservations are required, and tickets are $15, and $12 for seniors and students.

Coffee and homemade desserts will be available.

For reservations or more information, call Lori at (732) 291-9211 or www.monmouthplay-ers.org.

Founders' Day at Old First Church Oct. 1

Old First Church, 69 Kings Highway, Middletown, will celebrate its 318th anniversary with a Founders' Day celebration Oct. 1 beginning at 1 p.m. The church will offer tours of its historic cemetery and unique undercroft, and an audio-visual presentation of church and community history. Prints of Middletown and surrounding communities in 1845 will be available for sale, and refreshments will also be served. Established in 1688 as the oldest Baptist church in New Jersey, the present 1832 building is constructed on an early 18th-century foundation. Individuals buried in the cemetery include the patriot, the Rev. Abel Morgan. Call the church at (732) 671-1905.

Cross of Glory Church fall yard sale Sept. 30

Cross of Glory Lutheran Church's senior youth group will hold its fifth annual fall yard sale Sept. 30 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The church is at 95 Cambridge Drive, Aberdeen. For more information, call the church office at (732) 583-1118.

Navesink Lodge to

offer CHIP Sept. 30

Navesink Lodge No. 9, Free and Accepted Masons (F&AM) will hold a Child Identification Program (CHIP) for children in the greater Red Bank-Middletown area Sept. 30 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Red Bank Masonic Temple, 152 Maple Ave. The free identification consists of fingerprinting, a dental impression with DNA sample, a still photo and a video. All material is retained by the parent.

For more information, call (732) 747-5097.

Volunteers sought

to assist terminally ill

Compassionate Care Hospice which serves Central New Jersey, is seeking volunteers to provide services such as companionship, reading, writing letters, running errands and other activities.

The agency provides supportive care to patients with a terminal illness and have less than six months to live. Training is provided, and hours for training are flexible depending on the prospective volunteer's schedule.

For more information, call Vicki at (800) 844-4774.

Marchers sought for annual Vets Day parade

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 2179 and its Ladies Auxiliary, Port Monmouth section of Middletown, in conjunction with the Mayor and Middletown Township Committee, are seeking participants for the 49th annual Veterans Day parade Nov. 5.

The parade will assemble at 12:30 p.m. at Bayview School, 300 Leonardville Road, Belford section of Middletown, and will step off promptly at 1 p.m. Fraternal, veterans, and civic organizations are invited to take part in the parade themed "Freedom is Not Free."

For a registration form or more information, call Brody S. Force Sr., vice commander, at (732) 319-5925.