Datebook

• A charity gift wrap at Freehold Raceway Mall, Freehold Township, is being offered through Dec. 24. The booth is in the center court of the mall in front of the elevator. Funds are being raised for cancer research by volunteer wrappers from the Marlboro and Freehold chapters of Hadassah.

• Freehold Toastmasters, a nonprofit organization dedicated to effective oral communication, will meet Dec. 19, 7:30 p.m., at the Western Monmouth Chamber of Commerce, 17 Broad St., Freehold. Details: (732) 605-1362.

• The Marlboro library, Wyncrest Road, Marlboro, will feature holiday films on Thursdays at 2 p.m. "Christmas in Connecticut," Dec. 13; and "Pocketful of Miracles," Dec. 20. Details: (732) 536-9406.

• The Freehold Township High School choir and band will perform their annual holiday concert on Dec. 13 at 7:30 p.m. in the high school auditorium. Holiday music will include selections from Leroy Anderson, Fred Waring, and Tachelli. Free admission. All welcome.

• Applewood Estates, 1 Applewood Drive, off Gully Road, Freehold Township, will host the following event: Dec. 14, 1:30 p.m., "Stress Management for the Holidays and Beyond." Refreshments will be served. Details and registration: (732) 303-7416.

• Pictures with Santa, sponsored by the Knights of Columbus Prince of Peace Council 5903 of Englishtown, will be available Dec. 15-16, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Four Boys Ice Cream and Luncheonette, 3 Tennent Ave., Englishtown. Donations will be accepted to benefit the Knights of Columbus Children's Fund. Details (732) 446- 6433.

• The Monmouth-Ocean Scrapbookers will meet at the Marlboro library, Wyncrest Road, Marlboro, Dec. 19, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Scrapbookers are invited to learn how to create a scrapbook or to share ideas and techniques with others. Details: (732) 536-9406.

• A blood drive will be conducted by Central Jersey Blood Services, 5-9 p.m. Dec. 17 at Congregation Sons of Israel, Gordons Corner Road, Manalapan. Donors must bring identification with signature. Details: (732) 842-5750.

• "Text Messaging: U Can Lern to Txt Msg" will be presented at the Monmouth County Library Headquarters, 125 Symmes Drive, Manalapan, Dec. 13 at 7 p.m. Participants will find out how to use the text messaging feature on their cell phone in a free workshop presented by library staff member Eric Whitehead. Details: (732) 431-7220.

• Alzheimer's Association Caregiver support group will be held Dec. 13, 2 p.m., Monmouth Crossing, 560 Iron Bridge Road, Freehold Township; and Dec. 18, 7 p.m., at First United Methodist Church, 91 W. Main St., Freehold. Details: (800) 833-1180.

• "Decorating for a Williamsburg Christmas" will be the theme of a Girls Night Out Dinner, Dec. 12, 7-8:30 p.m., at Main Street Bistro, 30 E. Main Street, Freehold. The event is sponsored by the Monmouth Women's Connection Chapter of Stonecraft Ministries International. Details and reservations: (732) 319-3602 or (732) 446-9503.

• SeniorsFirst will host a membership luncheon, "Sleigh Bells Ring," Dec. 12, 11:30 a.m. at the Freehold Township Senior Center, 116 Jackson Mills Road, Freehold Township. The cost per person of $9 will include professional entertainment and free prizes. Details and registration: (732) 780- 3013.

• A holiday shopping night sponsored by Primerica of Freehold will be held Dec. 15, 6-9 p.m. at St. Robert Bellarmine Church, 61 Georgia Road, Freehold Township. Free admission. Proceeds will help a needy family in Freehold. Details: (732) 845-0006.

• A babysitting clinic for children ages 11-15 will be held at the CentraState Medical Center Health Awareness Center, 901 W. Main St., Freehold Township, Dec. 15 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fee: $30. Details and registration: (732) 294-0011.

• Santa Claus will arrive by train in Freehold Borough on Dec. 15 at noon. Children will be able to receive a candy cane and take a photo with Santa at the Freehold bus (old railroad) station at the corner of West Main and Throckmorton streets until 2 p.m.

• "The Velveteen Rabbit," a puppet show based on Margery Williams' classic tale of how toys become real, will be presented by the Monmouth County Library System on Dec. 15. Geared for families with children age 4 and up, an 11-11:45 a.m. show will be held at the Monmouth County Library Headquarters, 125 Symmes Drive, Manalapan. Free tickets may be picked up in person at the library. Details: (732) 431-7227.

• "Internet Predators - A Parent's Guide to the Internet," will be discussed by Garret Husveth, computer forensic examiner, Dec. 16 at 10:30 a.m. at the Freehold Jewish Center, 59 Broad St., Freehold. Husveth routinely investigates online stalking. Free presentation. All are welcome. Details: (732) 462-0254.

• The Adolescent Drug and Prevention Team (ADAPT) of Manalapan High School is sponsoring and holding a candlelight vigil against drunk driving in honor of Carlee A. Wines and others who have been affected. This event will be held on Dec. 17 at 6 p.m. at Manalapan High School, Church Lane, Manalapan. This event is free and open to the public.

• St. Peter's Church, Throckmorton Street, Freehold, will hold a "blue Christmas" service at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 18. Prayers, scripture, music. All who are feeling blue may attend.

• The Freehold Center Partnership will sponsor a caroling hayride, Dec. 21 from 7-9 p.m. Meet at Main and Court streets in front of the Monmouth County Hall of Records, Freehold. Groups will board a hayride wagon and travel through downtown and other areas in the borough as they sing Christmas carols and other holiday songs. Details: (732) 462-3584.

• Knights of Columbus breakfast buffet will be held on Dec. 23 from 8 a.m. to noon at the Council Hall, 70 E. Main St., Freehold. Special of the month will be a cheese omelet and corned beef hash. Donation is $7 per adult, $5 per child under 12. All are welcome. Santa will be the host for this breakfast and will be presenting gift bags to all children under the age of 12. Details: (917) 586-7349.

• The Jewish Community Center of Western Monmouth County will sponsor a cocktail party at Panico's Restaurant, New Brunswick, Dec. 24 from 7:30-10:30 p.m. The charge to attend is $39 per person and reservations must be made by Dec. 17 to avoid a surcharge of $50. The event will include an open bar, DJ, dancing and hors d'oeuvres. Details: (732) 683-9303 (press 3).

• CentraState Medical Center Auxiliary is hosting a Christmas Day trip on Dec. 25 to Atlantic City. Three buses are scheduled to depart from the parking lot of Covered Bridge, Manalapan, at 9:15 a.m. sharp. Pay $23 per person and receive $20 cash back. Reservations must be made in advance by calling (732) 536-5395 or (732) 536- 1006. Checks must be made out to CentraState Hospital. No food will be allowed on the bus.

• Daughters of the British Empire (DBE), Princess of Wales Chapter, meets on the third Sunday of every month at 2 p.m. at various club members' homes. The DBE is a nationwide group of women who are of British or British Commonwealth heritage by birth, naturalization or proven ancestry. Women whose husbands are, or whose husband's parent(s) or grandparent(s) are of British or Commonwealth birth are also eligible. The purpose of the DBE is the support of the district homes for retired men and women, local philanthropy and friendship. Details: (732) 431-0086.