Around Town: Week of Oct. 24

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ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS
The Atlantic Highlands Shade Tree Commission is inviting children, ages 5 to 12 who reside in or attend school in Atlantic Highlands, to participate in an Arbor Day Slogan Contest.
Julius Sterling Morton initiated the first Arbor Day in Nebraska on April 10, 1872, to increase appreciation and awareness of the important role trees play in the environment and in the quality of life. By 1920, all states had passed laws to celebrate the day. In New Jersey, Arbor Day is celebrated on the last Friday of April.
As part of past Atlantic Highlands’ Arbor Day celebrations, the Shade Tree Commission has sponsored its annual poster art contest, using slogans provided by the national Arbor Day Foundation.  But for the 2015 contest, the AH Commission has added an additional challenge: a slogan competition.
Entrants are asked to submit a slogan of 10 words or less, telling of the importance of trees. Entries should be sent no later than Nov. 10 to Atlantic Highlands Shade Tree Commission, Borough Hall, 100 First Ave., Atlantic Highlands, NJ, 07716.
The winning entry will be announced in January 2015, and be used as the theme for the upcoming April poster-art competition. In addition, a $25 gift certificate will be awarded to the winner.
 
COLTS NECK
It’s that time of year again for the Colts Neck Reformed Church’s 148th Election Day Luncheon, Dinner and Craft Bazaar.
This year’s festivities will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 4, at the 72 County Road 537 church.
Luncheon is served from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. with takeout orders available beginning at 11 a.m. The price is $10 for adults and $5 for children under age 12. The menu includes a choice of hot turkey sandwich plate with dressing, or turkey salad sandwich plate with chips. Both include cider, cranberry relish, dessert and beverage.
Three reserved dinner seatings will be available at 5, 6:15 and 7:15 p.m. Takeout service is available only from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Limited open seating will be available after 7 p.m. and will continue until 8 p.m. The price for a sit-down or takeout dinner ticket is $15 for adults and $6 for children under age 12. The menu includes a full turkey dinner with all the trimmings, served family style.
Tickets are available by calling the church office at 732-462-4555 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Takeout and reserved seating tickets must be paid for in advance.
Due to the popularity of this event, tickets sell out quickly and are usually not available at the door, so early reservations are advised.
A craft bazaar also is held on-site from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and is a wonderful place for attendees to start their holiday shopping. The bazaar will feature holiday gifts, handmade crafts and homemade baked goods.
Additional information is available on the church’s website at www.coltsneckreformed.org.
The event is a time-honored tradition in Colts Neck. All proceeds are given to the ongoing benevolence program of the church.
 
HOLMDEL
The New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Foundation, in conjunction with the United States Marines Combat Logistics Battalion 25 in Red Bank, is asking area residents to support the Marine Corps Reserve 2014 Toys for Tots Program.
The campaign that has been collecting toys for needy children throughout America since 1947.
This year, the Vietnam Era Museum & Educational Center will be a local drop-off location for new, unwrapped toys. Drop off hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. Toys can be dropped off at the museum, located off Exit 116 of the Garden State Parkway, on the grounds of the PNC Bank Arts Center.
Additional information is available by calling 732-335-0033, ext. 100.
 
MIDDLETOWN
The Middletown Township Cultural and Arts Council will be holding its annual general membership meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29, at the Middletown Arts Center, 36 Church St.
All members are welcome to attend.
The meeting will include highlights of the council’s upcoming events, election of trustees and light refreshments.
Those planning to attend are asked to RSVP by Monday, Oct. 27, by calling 732-706-4100 or by emailing mobrien@middletownnj.org.
 
SANDY HOOK
The Monmouth County Audubon Society will tour a bird-banding station on Saturday, Nov.15, to learn about the process which can be used to study the relative health of migratory bird populations.
The group will meet at 8 a.m. on Sandy Hook near “M” lot, the most northerly parking lot.
The peninsula of Sandy Hook attracts migrating raptors, shorebirds and songbirds due to the abundance of food and areas of suitable habitat. This makes Sandy Hook an excellent place to study many species of migrating birds in a limited area.
Bird bander and field biologist Tom Brown began banding at Sandy Hook in spring 2009, primarily to study the importance of Sandy Hook as a stopover site for migratory land birds, but also to study the importance of Sandy Hook as a wintering site for migrant land birds that historically have a more southerly wintering range. Nets are run in the spring and fall.
Part of the project includes extracting one tail feather from Gray Catbirds and Hermit Thrush. These feathers are sent to a lab in California for stable isotope analysis to identify particular geographic locations where these birds spent their summer. Banding these birds also helps to identify the age of the birds that are overwintering on Sandy Hook.
The trip is open to both members and nonmembers of the Monmouth County Audubon Society, and participation is free.
Advance registration is not required. Participants should bring binoculars and dress appropriately for the weather. Pets are not permitted.
For more information, visit the organization’s website at www.monmouth audubon.org or email at info@monmouthaudubon.org.