Tri-Town News Calendar, Dec 22

• Monmouth County Park System will be hosting a Yarn Bee on January 8 from noon to 2:30 p.m. at Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel. All are invited to participate and work on their own project. Knit or crochet at your own pace; farm staff will be on hand to help those who need a little extra help. Bring your own supplies. Open to 10 years old and over; under 18 with adult. The cost is $ 5 per person; cash or check only. Details: 732-842-4000.

• Monmouth County Park System will host Cutting, Splitting and Hewing on January 9 from noon to 2:30 p.m. at Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel. Warm up with a two-person saw and a splitting wedge; learn how farmers used a froe to rivet shingles or a large ax to cut beams. Open to adults. To free. Details: 732-842-4000.

• Monmouth County Park System will host the Casual Birder on January 11 at 9 a.m. at the Manasquan Reservoir Environmental Center in Howell. Join a park system naturalist for a relaxed morning bird walk. Open to all ages; under 18 with adult. To free. Details: 732-842-4000.

• Monmouth County Park System will host Nature on the Move – Winter Days: Adaptations – How do animals stay warm in winter? January 22 at 3 p.m. at Turkey Swamp Park, Freehold Township, meet in the parking lot of the refuge building.
Look for the colorful Nature on the Move van from the Park System and join a Park System Naturalist for a hands-on, 45- to 60-minute interactive program. Stay warm with hot chocolate while exploring how nature survives the cold through games and fun activities. To free. Details: 732-842-4000.

• New Jersey Blood Services, a division of the New York Blood Center, holds blood drives on the following dates: January 4, Howell Donor Center, 4068 Route 9 South, Howell. 1:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. January 5, Howell Donor Center, 7:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.; January 6, Howell Donor Center, 1:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m .; January 11, Howell Donor Center, 1:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Jan. 12, Howell Donor Center, 7:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. January 13, Howell Donor Center, 1:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Jan. 18, Howell Donor Center, 1:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m .; Jan. 19, Howell Donor Center, 7:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. January 20, Howell Donor Center, 1:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m .; January 25, Howell Donor Center, 1:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m .; Jan. 26, Howell Donor Center, 7:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Jan. 27, Howell Donor Center, 1:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. To donate blood, call 1-800-933-2566 or visit www.nybloodcenter.org

• Monmouth County Park System is looking for registrations for its exhibition “The silence of winter”. The exhibition, which runs from February 4 to March 26 at the gallery at the Thompson Park Creative Arts Center in Lincroft, will feature works inspired by the serenity and stillness of winter. This theme is open to any work that captures the energy of the season, whether through the use of colors, the aesthetic choice or the subject. Non-traditional and traditional renderings of winter are welcome. The registration deadline is January 14th. A registration form is available on the The Gallery at Thompson Park page at www.MonmouthCountyParks.com

• New Jersey Blood Services, a division of the New York Blood Center, is holding a blood drive open to the public on Jan.6 at the Jackson Mills Fire Hall, 465 North County Line Road, Jackson, from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. To donate blood, call 1-800-933-2566 or visit www.nybloodcenter.org

• New Jersey Blood Services, a division of the New York Blood Center, holds blood drives open to the public. The following trips are scheduled: December 28, Howell Donor Center, 4068 Route 9 South, Howell, 1:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. December 29, Howell Donor Center, 7:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. December 30, Howell Donor Center, 12:45 p.m. – 7:45 p.m. To donate blood or for information on how to organize a blood drive, call 1-800-933-2566 or visit www.nybloodcenter.org

• Monmouth County Park System will present a Clear the House Walk on December 24 at 10 a.m. at Deep Cut Gardens, Middletown. Clear the house by sending family and guests for a walk with a park system guide. This walk takes place on flat, slow-moving paths. To free. Details: 732-842-4000.

• Monmouth County Park System will present Nature on the Move: Winter Days on December 29 at 3 p.m. at Holmdel Park, Holmdel, meet in the parking lot of the refuge building.
Look for the colorful Nature on the Move van from the Park System and join a Park System Naturalist for a hands-on, 45- to 60-minute interactive program. To free. Details: 732-842-4000.

• For people who are struggling with depression, bipolar disorder and anxiety, there is free, confidential support led by a trained facilitator. The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance meets Wednesdays from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Brighter Days Community Wellness Center, 268 Bennetts Mills Road, Jackson. There are no doctors or therapists in the group, just people who are living with a mental health problem. Members strive to support each other and share their stories. Details: Valérie, 610-766-0658, or visit dbsalliance.org

• CentraState Medical The Center has launched a new online bereavement support group led by licensed clinical social workers and certified in bereavement counseling to help those who have experienced the loss of a loved one. The group is open to adult members of the community who have experienced the loss of a loved one. Private groups provide a safe, non-judgmental space for participants to share their emotions and struggles. The group meets via Zoom on the first and third Thursday of each month at 3 p.m. To register, call 732-303-5170 or email [email protected] or [email protected]

Agenda items can be sent to [email protected]. Please submit articles at least two weeks before a scheduled event.