NOTES

The Muscular Dystrophy Association, Citgo Petroleum and the gala committee will host the 13th annual Phil Villapiano Field of Hope Gala on Sept. 20 at South Gate Manor, Freehold. The black-tie event raises funds for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, or Lou Gehrig's Disease) research and the Muscular Dystrophy Association's ALS division. For more information, contact Heather at 203-288- 3500 or hdamico@mdausa.org.

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The Middletown Ramblers Square Dance Club and the Monmouth County Park System will host a square dance open house 7:30-10 p.m. Sept. 26 at the Thompson Park Activity Barn, Newman Springs Road, Lincroft section of Middletown. Admission is free, and refreshments will be provided. No dancing experience is needed. Singles or couples are welcome, but children must be accompanied by a parent. Classes begin 7:30-9:30 p.m. Sept. 30 at Henry Hudson Trail Activity Center, Atlantic Highlands. For more information and directions, call Betty at 732-291-1188 or visit www.middletownramblers.org or www.monmouthcountyparks.com.

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The first Middletown Township Business to-Business Night, held in conjunction with the Middletown Township Community Affairs Council, will take place 6-9 p.m. Sept. 10 at the Middletown Arts Center, 36 Church St. The free event is designed to bring Middletown-based businesses together for networking. Mayor Gerard Scharfenberger and members of the Township Committee will be in attendance. For reservations, e-mail MiddletownBusinessEvent@ yahoo.com or laoliwa@yahoo.com, or call Lori Anne Oliwa at 732-757-7443.

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The Count Basie Theatre's Cool School will present a Rockit for Kids band rehearsal and concert Dec. 2. Auditions for the concert will be held Sept. 13 in the theater's rehearsal room, 99 Monmouth St., Red Bank. All applications should be sent to the Count Basie Theatre with a $10 audition fee made payable to the Count Basie Theatre. To register, visit the Web site www.countbasietheatre.org.

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Holmdel Community United Church of Christ, 40 Main St., will hold a blessing of the animals during the feast of St. Francis at 3 p.m. Oct. 5. Animals such as dogs, cats, guinea pigs, ferrets, fish or birds may be blessed at the event in the church's backyard. For more information, call 732- 946-8821, e-mail holmdelchurch@verizon. net or visit www.holmdelucc.org.