COLTS NECK
The largest orchid auction in the tri-state region is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 6, at the Colts Neck Fire House No. 1 on Route 537.
More than 400 prime orchids, many of them unusual species, from award-winning growers in Japan, Venezuela, Hawaii and across the United States will be auctioned off.
Orchids are the earth’s most varied species of plants, with more than 25,000 pure strains and 250,000 hybrids. Colors of all seasons and the rainbow are seen in orchids.
The auction begins at 10 a.m. Preview begins at 9:30 a.m. The event is being sponsored by Deep Cut Orchid Society, a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating people about orchids and the growing of them. All money raised will be used to bring in orchid experts to speak at monthly meetings.
“There is a certain thrill connected to bidding for that special flower. The excitement of bidding and winning is really undescribable,” said Joan Mesander, auction chairperson, who is a relatively new orchid collector.
“Besides winning a favorite flower, the auction day provides fun and socialization for everyone. Funds will enable DCOS to continue bringing in expert speakers, conduct green house tours, and have its annual picnic and holiday celebrations,” Mesander said.
“Orchids present nature at its best, its most unusual,” said Faye Arnett, the orchid society’s president. “Some orchids bloom several times a year, and their colors and shapes are incredible.”
While most flowers only last a few days or maybe a couple of weeks, society board member Carol Abaya said she has “an orchid which has dozens of flowers that has been blooming for more than six months. No other plant has this capacity.”
Entrance and parking are free. Food and drinks will be available.
Additional information about the auction is available by calling Mesander at 732-787-4460 or Arnett at 732-786-8583.
LINCROFT
New Jersey 101.5 presents business mogul and television star Barbara Corcoran appearing in the Collins Arena at Brookdale Community College at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 11, for a one-of-a-kind speaking engagement.
As a speaker, Corcoran brings her front-line experience and infectious energy to every group she addresses. Motivational, inspirational, and sometimes outrageous, Corcoran’s tell-it-like-it-is attitude is a refreshing approach to success.
Corcoran’s credentials include straight D’s in high school and college and 20 jobs by the time she turned 23. It was her next job that would make her one of the most successful entrepreneurs in the country when she took out a $1,000 loan to start The Corcoran Group. She parlayed the loan into a $5 billion real estate business.
She is the real estate contributor for NBC’s Today show where she comments weekly on trends in the real estate market. She’s also on ABC’s reality hit Shark Tank. In the first two seasons of the show, Corcoran purchased 11 start-up businesses that she’s shepherding to success.
VIP tickets are $75 and include a copy of her book Shark Tales, catered hors d’oeuvres and an intimate group greeting from Corcoran. General admission tickets are $20.
Doors will open at 6 p.m. for those attending the meet and greet with the event scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m.
For tickets or more information go to www.nj1015.com.
LONG BRANCH
New Jersey Repertory Company has been awarded a 2012 National Theatre Company grants from the American Theatre Wing, best known as the creator of the Antoinette Perry “Tony” Awards.
Created by the American Theatre Wing to recognize and support the most promising emerging theatre companies from around the country, the National Theatre Company grant honors 10 theaters annually. Companies chosen to receive the $10,000 grant have developed a distinctive mission, cultivated an audience, and nurtured a community of artists in ways that strengthen and demonstrate the quality, diversity and dynamism of American theater.
“This recognition from the American Theatre Wing is a tremendous honor,” said Gabor Barabas, executive producer, “and is the result of 15 years of developing and producing new plays for the American stage.”
New Jersey Rep was founded in 1997 as a nonprofit professional theater and is located on lower Broadway in the heart of Long Branch. It is considered the community’s anchor arts organization and has played a vital role in serving as a catalyst for redevelopment.
The theater has produced more than 90 plays, most of which have been world premieres and has also presented more than 300 readings of new works during its Monday night reading series where playwrights see their plays come to life for the first time on stage and afterward discuss their work with audiences.
Plays premiered by NJ Rep have been produced subsequently by many regional theaters across the country as well in New York City, and overseas.
In keeping with its mission to nurture and encourage new plays and writers it offers classes in playwriting to both beginners as well as seasoned writers.
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The 2nd Annual Ride for the Ronald McDonald House will take place Sunday, Oct. 7. Presented by IOA, Insurance Office of America, in conjunction with the Children’s Hospital of Monmouth Medical Center, registration starts at 7:30 a.m. at the Community Connection parking lot at Monmouth Medical Center, Lowden Avenue, off Second Avenue.
There is a ride for all levels – expert, intermediate or recreational. The Family Ride is 15 miles; the Touring Ride is 30 miles; The Metric Century is 62.5 miles, while The Century, a newly added event, is 100 miles.
There will even be a children’s bicycle rodeo.
The adult entry fee is $35, student entry fee (up to high school) is $25.
There will be $2,000 in bike shop gift certificates up for grabs for teams that finish the ride with the most participants in each distance category.
The barbecue starts at noon and all participants are welcome.
Additional information is available by contacting Nanette Leonard at 732-222-8755, Ext. 31, Nanette@rmh-cnj.org or visiting Ronald McDonald House on the web at www.rmh-cnj.org or become a fan on Facebook: www.facebook.com/RMHCNJ.
MIDDLETOWN
Thousands of items, donated by members of Christ Church of Middletown’s large congregation, will be laid out for sale from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 5, and Saturday, Oct. 6, on the front lawn on King’s Highway and inside the meeting hall.
The popular white elephant rummage sale, hosted by one of Middletown’s oldest congregations, typically attracts huge bargain-hunting crowds who come for the diverse selection of books, hardware, housewares, kids’ toys, collectibles, bric-a-brac and so much more.
“It’s really a festive treasure hunt,” said organizer Betty Truscott. “There is so much variety, so much for kids to do, and everything is priced ridiculously low.”
The fall event is also a fall festival. On Saturday, Oct. 6 there will be live music, a pumpkin patch, face painting and kids’ games and prizes. A petting zoo is scheduled that day from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
A silent auction will feature gift certificates to local venues and for special services. There will be a raffle for a quality office chair, iPad or office safe.
Homemade crafts will be for sale in the holiday shop, and there will be a photo booth for holiday photos.
Vendors include Silpada and Jamberry booths for jewelry and nails. Lunch and snacks will be available at the food court and will include a Christ Church tradition, the Frito Bandito.
