NOTES

Girl Scout Troop 1717 from Aberdeen spread holiday cheer at The Willows retirement facility in Holmdel Dec. 11. Everyone was in a festive mood, and the Scouts brought smiles to the residents' faces by singing songs of the season in their holiday hats. Afterward, the children spent time with the seniors, who shared memories of this special time of year.

St. Catharine's Church in Holmdel reached out to local families faced with economic challenges by hosting a Christmas dinner on Dec. 4. Children were treated to activities including arts and crafts and pictures with Santa. All guests, both young and old, received a wrapped Christmas gift, but the greatest gift was the warmth and sense of hope shared by all.

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Rebecca's Reel Quilters Guild will host a talk by well-known quilter and former U.S. Marine George Siciliano who will be the guest speaker at the Feb. 1 guild meeting.

Siciliano's fascination with the Log Cabin block has resulted in more than 150 original designs, and he has been published in many well-known quilt magazines.

He will present a humorous lecture "This Guy Must Be Nuts" at the meeting. Siciliano and his wife Virginia, an award-winning quilter, will also teach a miniature quilt workshop on Jan 31. Join the guild on Sunday, Feb. 1, at 2 p.m. in the Poricy Park Conservancy's Nature Center on Oak Hill Road in Middletown. Fee: members $8, non-members $10. Directions at www.rebeccasreel.org.

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Calvary United Methodist Church, Third and Osborn Streets, Keyport, will hold a penny auction 2-4 p.m. Jan. 17 (snow date Jan. 24). Tickets are $30 and include coffee and cake. There will also be door prizes. For more information, call Barbara at 732-290- 7651.

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Matawan Student Enrichment Program will offer Saturday courses for adults, with most classes at Lloyd Road and Strathmore Schools, Aberdeen. Curriculum includes science, dance, music, cooking and other topics. For more information, call MSEP at 732-566-7900.

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The Brush and Palette Art Guild will offer three classes of "Unique Pastels" with artist Irene Neff, 7-9 p.m. Feb. 3, 10 and 24 at the Cullen Center, 1776 Union Ave., Hazlet. The cost for members is $15 plus materials; membership is $10 per year. For more information, call 732-888-0993.

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Middletown Lions Club will hold its third annual Super Bowl Sunday pancake breakfast 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Feb. 1 at Middletown Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 2179, Route 36, Port Monmouth section of Middletown. Donation is $10, with proceeds benefiting Camp Happiness, Leonardo section of Middletown, and the Lions scholarship fund. Walk-ins are welcome. For tickets, call 732-996-7495.

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St. Mary Travel Group will sponsor a trip to see "Spirit of the Dance" at Tropicana Casino, Atlantic City, 10 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Jan. 28. Cost is $24 for transportation, the show, and a $10 rebate. Reservations due by Jan. 24. For more information, call Pat at 732-615-9088. A trip to the canyon country of Arizona and Utah will be May 21-29. Cost is $2,589 for airfare, accommodations, meals, sightseeing and professional guides. For details, call Francesca at 732-787-2679 or Pat at 732-615-9088.

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Keyport Knights of Columbus Council 3402 will hold its 56th annual Past Grand Knights dinner 1-5 p.m. Jan. 18, open to members and friends. Recent Grand Knight Robert Moore will be honored. There will be a free cocktail hour 1-2 p.m., cash bar, buffet and dancing to music by DJ Pete. Cost is $15 free for past Grand Knights. For more information, call 732-264-9729.

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Young Israel of Aberdeen, 479 Lloyd Road, will offer a "Read Hebrew America Course" given by Rabbi Chaim Lobel at 8 p.m. on five consecutive Wednesdays beginning Jan. 28. Cost is $20. For more information, call 732-583-6262, ext 5.